DEAR NASS, GET SOME SENSE; RETUNE NIGERIA’S PRIORITIES

(By Ifedimma Onwugbufor)

According to a publication on Vanguard newspaper of May 12th, 2016, a bill was sponsored by Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and co-sponsored by 46 other senators which “seeks to completely prohibit any form of sexual relationship between lecturers and their students …” According to Senator Omo-Agege, “the nation’s institutions of higher learning must be sanitized to rid them of lecturers who saw female students as a ‘prize’”.

Of course, sadism is endemic and if nothing sells in Nigeria, it is hypocrisy and bigotry - they top the list. This one-way zombie faculty is the reason the same group of people who frustrated the removal of fuel subsidy in 2012, which would have augured better for the nation’s economy were it implemented, make up today’s government that is eventually effecting the same fuel subsidy removal after four years.

All of sudden, one of the greatest problems Nigeria faces in recent times is the number of sexual ecstasies and orgasms that lecturers enjoy with their students. How laughable. Why is Nigeria so blessed with citizens who think through the tip of their penises and the bump on their nipples? With many legislators that talk from every opening on their bodies, should Nigeria be glad or distraught? How does the sexual bout between a lecturer and the student affect the equivalence of the Naira to the Dollar? How does foreplay between a student and the lecturer affect the pump price of PMS? How does a twenty-minute seventh-heaven derail the establishment of good governance in every constituency in the federation? What marketplace is this that is referred to the National Assembly, by the way? What absurdity is this new bill that seeks to denigrate lecturers to a position of toys in the hands of their students?

First off, no responsible and diligent student would cheapen him or herself enough to have sex with the lecturer, under no circumstance. Many legislators married their spouses while they were students; now is this bill prohibiting lecturers from establishing mutual love relationships with their students; or is this referring to sexual harassment? In another light, anyone can feign abuse – in other words, a student who doesn’t attend classes, fulfill the requirements for the course under study and fails an examination, can wake up and cry, ‘abuse’?

This bill is a nonsensical effort raised by a bigot who is reacting to a personal issue that exists in his/her head or family. There is absolutely no justification to move such a bill in the first place; there are many levels of petitions that can establish when a student is victimized for failing to be laid by a lecturer. A confident student fulfills every requirement for a specific course which includes at least 75% lecture/class attendance, submission of projects, field work, assignments or term papers; attendance of mid-semester test, in addition to the final examination. Let it be known that a student who does not fulfill the required class attendance percentage according to Nigeria Universities Commission (NUC) is not admissible into the exam hall, except there are rational reasons which must have been communicated to the office of the Registrar as soon as the need arose.

Many times, students do not attend lectures, or sit for tests or other assessments but merely, memorize textbooks which they pour on their answer booklets should they have the opportunity to sit for the examinations. Such students insist on luring the lecturers into sexual relationships to get by, and when such efforts fail, they turn around to cry wolf.

The consequences of this bill under review are dire, and if Nigeria must redeem the academic glory of yesteryears, this bill should be paralyzed forthwith or reset to include every academic stakeholder. It is illogical, inappropriate, inane, and lacks credulity. The fact that one student was victimized by a lecturer does not pronounce all lecturers gullible and randy. Many lecturers who were discovered as failing students for not complying with their sexual invitations were dismissed without emoluments. Whenever such a case came up, a committee was usually setup and is made up of both the male and female genders. All investigations were delved into, summations were derived and all parties and proves were laid bare on the table. As soon as the fact of the case was established, the culprit (lecturer) was usually dismissed unceremoniously and this decision mostly dissipated to other institutions of higher learning to ensure that the lecturer would not be hired ever again in any institution.

Unfortunately, many students who accuse lecturers of sexual harassment do not either have sufficient proofs, or are basically unserious with their studies or perhaps, is clear case of love turned sour. A former president of Nigeria was once said to have started his journey to the marriage with his wife while she was his student in a College of Education. What the legislators should have done primarily would have been to investigate most of these sexual abuse cases, understand the background and proffer lasting solutions. If they are indeed, willing and astute enough to protect the educational sector of this country, besides a malicious attempt to silence lecturers, there should also be an inclusion of such penalty on a student who makes unfounded accusation of sexual abuse relating to a lecturer, or any student who offers to remunerate a lecturer to score a pass mark in a course in cash or kind with relevant evidences on ground. The same goes to any village head, member of the institution’s community, legislator, the Force, government workers, church leaders and other citizens who would cajole, coerce, pester or threaten any lecturer to pass a student in a specific course of study. This bill should portend an honest willingness to bring every culprit to book irrespective of the personalities involved, if it were moved for the benefit of all.

Like a social media commentator wrote in the thread of one of my posts, Nigerians are mostly bigots. They sanction only issues that favor their interests be it religious, tribal or socio-economic. When their wives, daughters or nieces fall victim, then they must use their powers to work against it. Otherwise, many lecturers in many universities are owed salaries running into several millions of naira, yet no one questions the relevant authorities who collect the requisite school fees from their students to the last kobo, but do not pay these teachers who risk their lives especially in war-torn zones, terrorism-prone areas, and far away from their kith, to offer their services wholeheartedly, their deserved monthly salaries.

Many of these lecturers have nuclear and extended families to carter for, bills to pay and many other expenditure to handle, yet no legislator has called for a bill that should question the seizure of or non-payment of salary arrears of lecturers in these unfortunate circumstances. In many institutions, lecturers are owed salaries from three, five, seven, eleven and even thirteen months; how many legislators can survive for five months without salaries and other ‘back-kicks’ to be frank?

What do you expect an adult who is irredeemably broke to do? A hungry adult is prone to any misdemeanor at all; if not, why were the legislators very desperate to serve their constituencies if not the presence of the associated remuneration and wherewithal such responsibilities would fetch them? If they were really interested in only serving the people without any gain, would they be so desperate – jumping from one political party to another, getting into a truce or the other and seeking political godfathers and godmothers everywhere?

In a nutshell, it would be a good thing to know that at last, the National Assembly has taken interest to bring lasting sanity to the educational sector but this must be universal in approach, rather than a malicious method that targets only a particular group in this sector. Any bill that must be passed should contain an all-inclusive clause that would hold both the lecturers, the students, the village heads, government workers, church leaders and all the citizens of this country, responsible for anything that is uncomplimentary in the delivery of sound education as well as protecting the rights of individuals in the pursuance of education; ensuring also, that every actor in a case is given a fair hearing and every stakeholder in a misdemeanor is punished, irrespective of who and how many culprits are involved. Lecturers are not the only actors in cases of sexual abuse in institutions of higher learning. In world where human rights is the fad, anyone can claim to be sexually abuse; but holistic investigations would either debunk or authenticate this claim and both the victim or the false alarm ‘blower’ should face the music thereof.

 

GARNISHING THE NIGERIAN MARRIAGE

(by Ifedimma Onwugbufor)

There is no more sanctity or relevance attached to the institution of marriage today in Nigeria; it has become a dog-eat-dog venture. Married partners engage in silent tussles, suspicions, misgivings and malicious rants. Every day, spouses belittle their partners in very despicable manner, maiming and destroying people they swore to love and protect. Not long ago, a woman was killed by her husband, then a man was also killed by his wife; and last Thursday, a certain Ronke Bewaji Shonde was allegedly killed by her husband, Lekan Shonde who was said to have locked up her corpse with their two young kids in a room, and disappeared with her phones.

The social media has been agog with speculations of what may have caused this tragedy since last Thursday, added to the witnesses of the Shondes' neighbours who confirmed that the couple got into rows quite often. Barely twenty hours ago, Lekan spoke from his hiding to Punch newspaper presenting a vague, spiteful and shady account of what transpired between him and his late wife. He accused his wife of infidelity, much like many Nigerian partners do. He claimed that he heard a telephone conversation between his late wife and some man, speculatively her boyfriend. She was dating her boss who was the General Manager of a publishing firm, according to Lekan; and the two lovers had traveled to Abuja prior to this incident where they spent four nights in one room, all deciphered from the telephone chat which he overheard. He confronted his wife and she appeared defiant. They both had a scuffle and he pushed her and walked away to go and buy food. Then, in the morning, he saw her sprawled on the floor but thought she was pretending to be a victim. He walked out of the home.

As terribly sadistic as this man’s narration sounds, there is little or nothing that can ascertain the truth behind this disaster save, a forensic inquiry since Ronke is not alive to speak for herself. That is always the sad fate of victims of violence - while the abuser is alive to deny every fact and make the story good from one end, the vanquished is helpless and usually has no witness to explain the actual incident. It is obvious that the marriage of the Shondes had experienced many hiccups, because if the man did not mention reporting his wife’s misdemeanor to her parents or close friends, it is therefore, beyond all reasonable doubt that Lekan Shonde set out to annihilate his wife for reasons best known to him.

This piece would seek to address the issue of domestic violence in equity, but there is no gainsaying that in most cases of domestic violence, the women are most hit because of their physical weakness. This is not to say that men thrive easily in violence in their marriages, but it is always easier for the man to handle because he has many choices and alternatives in a patriarchal society such as ours, which the woman is not privileged to enjoy. Although Lekan asserted that he asked his wife to leave their home, and she refused, it is true also that Nigeria is a land of culture and tradition; whereby a woman who is duly married to a man would not readily leave her marriage especially when she is guiltless, without being recalled by the people who gave her to her spouse. No woman just wakes up to walk out of her marriage because her husband just said to her to go; else there would be hundreds of thousands of women leaving their marriages every hour in Nigeria. Usually, her parents are duly informed or reported to by the husband, to withdraw their daughter if she was traditionally married to the man. It is then, the duty of the woman’s parents to recall their daughter till things are sorted out or so. This is not to say that a woman who is strongly under threat to life would not employ the commonsense of running for dear life first, even when she is not yet recalled by her parents. But for a Nigerian husband to wake up and tell his wife to leave his house is laughable and stupid. Simply unbelievable.

Many things are involved – there are children involved, there are shared property, investments, credits and debts etc involved. These things should be sorted out, and not just throw a verbal jab, ‘Leave my house’ to his wife. A respectable spouse who is genuinely aggrieved would not be violent with the spouse. The responsible thing to do is to report to parents or go to the welfare unit and state whatever pleadings that one so desires – divorce, separation, etc. There is no justification for any spouse to fight, push, slap, insult or denigrate the other partner even when in the right position of the case.

The definition and expectations of a typical Nigerian are always huge, and this makes the Nigerian marriage largely illusive. There is no theory that explains that a woman by the virtue of her sexuality, cannot or will never have sex with another man outside her partner. Just as there is no known explanation too, that ascertains that a man would not likely have sex with another partner outside his wife. It is high time the society straightens out these logical possibilities. Whether it is morally or religiously right or wrong, these are possibilities and happenings that take place. Everywhere in the world, every month, every week, every day, every minute and every second, a partner is cheating on his or her spouse, and the law of ‘thou shalt not be caught’ informally applies. The fact that a partner has not yet discovered or caught red handed a cheating partner, does not mean that partner is not being cheated on by the other.  People find themselves doing these things for one reason or another; or even for no reason at all. This is not a distortion of what the word ‘love’ is or means. People cheat on their partners on their own terms. No one can determine that, and many times, these cheaters do not even know why they cheat but they cheat.

A partner, therefore claiming he had a scuffle with his wife because she had a sexual escapade does not sit right. Few questions, some pronouncements and few phone calls should settle the matter for good or for worse. We either put up with such anomalies or we don’t. There are no hard and fast rules in earthly enterprises such as marriage. It is not about what you do or what you don’t do – marriage is a union of two separate entities, and must not involve a fusion of personal habits and values. It is a contract, in the first place. Every couple that decides to take a step or two further from that contractual agreement would be doing so at their own emotional risk. There is no certainty anywhere. There is no man than can swear to have sex only with his wife for fifty years in a stretch; and there is woman that can pledge that either.

This piece is not a moralistic non-fiction that tries to teach the reader how to live life and how not to; how to stay married or how not to; how to be civil or how not to. It only seeks to enlighten the Nigerian who goes into marriage what that decision actually means.

No matter what love exists, or what understanding happens in the lives of a couple in marriage, let everyone be watchful and truthful. When you have a partner who experiences constant mood swing, you don’t need a soothsayer to know. When you are hooked to a partner who is always suspicious of your every move, questions you over little or no issue, harasses you, shouts you down, intimidates you, distrusts you, stalks you, blackmails you emotionally, reminds you what a blessing he or she is to you etc., then you are dealing with an abuser, no doubt. If that partner is physical, after the first time, the first decision to take if you must remain in that marriage is to get that partner to sign an undertaking with the law enforcement agency office, a lawyer, a member from each of your families, and the children resulting from that marriage if any. These things have a way of putting people in control, and signing an undertaking to guard a spouse is the worst embarrassment any partner would have to face. Under no condition should any infuriated partner get away with a slap or a push.  The second decision to take is to mount cameras everywhere in the house without the knowledge of the abuser, and must not be disclosed to anyone. Even when there are no witnesses, the cameras can speak volumes. The third decision is to write a comprehensive narration that describes the threat under which that partner is and leave with a lawyer of closest family member, on the event of any accident or even divorce – it must not always be death. If after these, the abusive partner is unrepentant during the second chance given, it is time to move out. The native law and custom does not demand a spouse to remain with another until death occurs. Everything can be sorted out at a later date but death must be evaded as a top priority and it is nonnegotiable.

It is delusional to justify domestic violence on the basis of any religious book, be it the bible or any other. I cannot say with authority what the Koran and other holy books said about marriage, but conveniently I can surmise that the bible is not in any way, supportive of violence in marriage. Jesus addressed the issue of marriage only twice, during his ministry, and whether Christians want to believe this or not, Jesus Christ trivialized marriage in his own time. He said that the ground of divorce is infidelity, and again marriage was not a recognized institution in heaven. Later on, Apostle Paul wrote extensively about how marriage can be sustained and the duties of each spouse. There is no provision of abuse in marriage whatsoever. The bible technically can be likened to the constitution of the country. The bible sets instructions of living, and when anyone falters, he is deserving of hell fire; likewise the country’s constitution. As much as every bona fide citizen enjoys some form of freedom or another, any misdemeanor can speedily send that offending citizen to jail for as long as it could take. There is no basis to remain in an abusive marriage, and any religion that instructs its followers to do so is sadistic. Instructions are meant for responsible people, if God instructs one to divorce a partner only on the grounds of unfaithfulness, it is assumed therefore, that God himself does not expect a partner to do anything else against a spouse.

Domestic violence is actually a part of abuse; the latter being categorized into physical, emotional, and psychological. Violence in marriage leaves a bad taste in children and every responsible parent who realizes that an abusive partner takes advantage of a second chance offered should be making plans to vacate the house. The society should be enlightened to learn to let couples who are unable to coexist, split for peace’ sakes. Pastors and other religious leaders, the law enforcement agents, parents, friends and relatives should be mindful of how they handle marital issues that involve abuse/violence. Getting such couples back should not be the catch, but ensuring the safety of the vulnerable partner who stands to lose always in such cases. I have personally, witnessed three women lose their lives to psychological abuse and domestic violence in marriage over fourteen years ago. These things are real. They didn’t start today, such occurrences have been around but the difference is that the social media today, has become a vibrant means of information circulation, which makes it possible to publicize such incidents as soon as they happen. Pregnant women lose their lives consistently, due to high blood pressure arising from abuse in marriage. Men have suffered stroke due to the same reasons. The list is boundless, but the fact remains that many children have been left alone without a parent on the altar of misfit marriages which marriage counselors, priests, pastors and men of God, parents, friends and welfare officers have refused to yank off. Marriage cannot be dissolved in the Catholic church; this is most improper and that dogma should be reformed as soon as possible. Apart from infidelity, there are many other reasons why a marriage may no longer stand, and a partner must have to walk away honorably. I have also learnt of abused people who ended up in jail because they decided to put up a fight against a violent partner who ended up being the victim in that row. That is how innocent persons who have suffered violence in the hands of their partners for a long time, had fallen into trouble for defending themselves. If divorce or separation can keep a couple alive for their kids, what is then wrong or should people’s lives be destroyed for no reason at all? What logical explanation does that hold?

As for the Shondes, it is going to be a long trip to the truth. The female medical doctor at LUTH died, and even her mother exonerated her husband. Already, a neighbor is exonerating Lekan Shonde. The pastor of RCCG where Ronke Shonde worships is already exonerating Lekan using a hopeless logic, ‘I have never seen any mark on violence on her body’, like he sees her have her bath everyday. Those shenanigans that make genuine cases look cheap. Who knows what Ronke’s mother and sister, Bolatito would say tomorrow? Nigerians always jump the gun. Ronke’s husband already revealed Ronke entertained fear for her life not long ago in the hands of her husband, for undisclosed reasons.

Unfortunately, Ronke failed to act quickly. She failed to do the right thing. Now, holistic efforts would have to be put into getting her husband to be brought to book. Walking away from a violent partner would remain the best decision ever.

YOUR LAND OR YOUR BLOOD

This write-up was shared by an educated fulani man and seems to represent the mind of an average fulani man.

Read and learn more about the fable titled, "One Nigeria"

--------------------------------------------------

YOUR LAND OR YOUR BLOOD

(By Adamu Mohammed)

Ever since President Muhammadu Buhari took over the mantle of leadership of this great country Nigeria, we(Hausa-Fulanis) have come under severe media attack from enemies of progress. Just because they are educated than us, they stereotype us with negativity. Just because they own and control the media, they use the media against us.

But let me make something clear to you stupid fellows hating us, whether you love us or hate us, it doesn't change anything. We are who we are and we will continue to remain like that. We hate you even more and we can never love you because you are all infidels. I pity those of you who keep deluding yourselves that we can love and trust you simply because you worked against your people to our own advantage, never!

I heard that the stupid Governor of Oyo State, Ajimobi said that they won't accept the proposed Grazing Bill. But my message to the filthy Yoruba pig is that, if you don't want to give us your cursed land, we will rear our cattle not only on your farmlands but in your churches. And if you try to stop us, we would killed your chicken hearted men like rabbits then turn your mothers, wives, sisters and daughters to our sex slaves like we have always done.

It is either you give the whole of South to us to use as grazing reserve or we soak it with your blood. And what you would do like you always do is noise on Facebook and Twitter. you cannot be united against us because there would always be the likes of Tinubu, Amaechi and Okorocha in your midst who will divide you for selfishness and love of money. Such treacherous characters can't survive in our midst because we burn them and their families.

I so much detest Southern Christians because they are the problem of this country. If I have my way, there won't be any functional church in this country, especially in the North. That's why I am so much happy with Governor El-rufai who is living up to the expectations of Allah in Kaduna State. We are not really pleased with President Muhammadu Buhari who is too slow to implement everything we asked him to implement in this country for us, he has not even done 20% of the Northern/Islam agenda, what he is waiting for I don't know.

We will make life unbearable for Igbos like they are in Hell, and yet we won't let them have their useless Biafra because the whole of South is a conquered territory. We can never see Yorubas as allies no matter how hard they try to please or serve us because they are born traitors and infidels. Those slaves in the Middle Belt would continue to be willing tools in our hands, and the day they attempt to raise their heads, we will cut off their heads like weeds. I lack words to tell the inconsequential and always crying Niger Delta because what we are waiting for is for President Buhari to declare state of emergency in Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta, then we will show them how to use power.

We are at war with you people but we won't allow the country to breakup because, natural resources found in any part of the country is our heritage and birth right. We will continue killing you in large numbers until you are truly submissive to us as your slave masters. We won't stop killing you until we fully takeover your land as a conquered territory. This is not the time to mince words, this is not the time to sugarcoat things, and this is not the time to be economical with the truth, this is nothing but the truth, ignore it at your own peril.

(This was shared by a Facebook friend of Adamu)

The Ewes of the Volta Region of Ghana

Introduction

Having spent two months consistently in the Ho district of the Volta region of Ghana, I feel this admirable and aesthetic compulsion to write about this people whose lifestyle has imparted much cultural value in my quest for cultural insight; having experienced untold serenity and acceptance, albeit from the influential that typically should have been conceited owing to their positions. The modesty of the Ewes cannot be overemphasized and worthy of mention and emulation in its entirety; although exceptions to the attitude stated may apply.

The information contained in this write-up is based not on fact received via search engines and other digital sources but completely based on a typical traditional source - an Interpreter who is usually not involved directly with the information being given but having a link with internal sources that may not be reachable anymore. With the interpreter, some facts are usually forgotten or lost. This is the initial part of my discovery about the Ewes – their past and present; and would not be deemed to be a comprehensive account but practically, this is what is obtainable in the Ewe people of here and now.

Geographical Location

The Ewes (Pronounced as Evey) are mostly found at the Volta region of Ghana covering a wide area that hosts people with interesting cultural/traditional ethics that points to and justifies claims of a migration from the South-West of Nigeria. On the South of the Volta Region, the Ewes occupy the areas from the border town of Afloa with the Republic of Togo extending to Keta, Sogakope, Anloga, Denu, Penyi and others; extending to other towns in the East and West of the Volta Region including Ho, Tsito, Juapong (where the Swinging bridge is located), Fintey, Akosombo, Kpandu, Hohoe, Have (Pronounced as Havey), Sokode Ando, Sokode Gbogame, Sokode Lokoe, Sokode Etoe, Hohoe, the Tafi enclaves, Awudome, Frankadua, Fintey etc.; and in the North with towns including Dambai. 

Migration

The Voltarians as the Ewes are referred to in funky terms are historically traced to Yoruba migrants from the South-West of Nigeria, just as the Akans of Accra, Ghana are also traced to Igbo migrants from the South-East of Nigeria. The Ewes were said to be Yoruba migrants who settled in a place known as Notsie (Pronounced as Nochie) in Togo many centuries ago. It was also recorded that the people suffered under the Togolese ruler, King Agorkorli who burdened them with hard and life-threatening labor and also, raped the young women at will. The Ewes planned an escape championed by a leader and instead of moving forward and encounter logistic problems with the bulwark erected at the entrance into Notsie, they rather took steps backwards where the bulwarks did not exist and also, not to attract the attention and venom of the wicked King Agorkorli. They moved many steps backwards thereby avoiding the bulwark constructed by King Agorkorli to protect his domain from attacks which the people could obviously not break down. The backward steps took them to the present town of Aflao where the people settled and spread over the area to the north, west, south and east.

Music

The musical instruments used by the Ewes are quite similar to those used by the Yorubas especially the drums. The first I noticed was the small drum usually hung across the shoulder and supported beneath the arm somewhere around the armpit region, by the Yorubas with the ‘Tum-Tum’ sound called the ‘Dondon’ (Pronounced similar to the sound that it produces) by the Ewes. The Dondon is usually handy and suspended by a band worn round the neck of the player, and then a curved stick with a string that produces a unique sound when hit on the leather that covers the instrument. There are other sizes of larger drums which are mostly placed on the floor because of their sizes and other musical instruments including, Akaye, Asivui, Gakogoe, Donno, Konga, Patia, Tambourine, Vuvi, Castanets, Vuga, Bugle, Flute, Trumpet and Vuga etc. 

Dance

For the Boboobo dance, the dancers move backward and forward in a uniform manner which changes according to the rhythm of the drums. The dancers mostly bend down while dancing and ‘breaking’ of their backs. The similarities in the Ewe and Yoruba music largely in performance and accompaniment is dominated by the use of different drums especially the armpit-held talking drum and the rhythm which has a profound speech that relays a passion that is mysterious

The Ewes have peculiar dances which characterize each locality. However, I find their dances quite interesting and good exercise with the Ewes of the South doing mostly the Agbadza (Pronounced as Agbaja) and Atsiagbekor (Pronounced as Achiagbeko)dance; while those from the East mostly do the Boboobo (Pronounced as Bor-Boor-Bor), Gbolo, Zigi and Adewu. Other kinds of dance include Kinka but the remarkable thing about most of these dance types is the similarity in pattern and performance. They involve the ‘breaking’ of the back in different levels of intensity and the use of the arms in very flexible manner. Also, the tempo of the dance steps vary from low, mid-tempo and fast; very much similar to the Yoruba dance steps.

Marriage

Unlike public opinion about Ghanaians being a 'Matrilineal' society, the Ewes from time of old instituted the 'Patrilineal' family system whereby the father is the head of the home and the owner of the children. This is different from what may be obtainable in other areas of Ghana where the nephew can be entitled to his uncle’s property owing to a long-standing myth of a Chief who was redeemed from death by his sister who gave up her son to die to save his life. 

Several years ago, wives were arranged and married for young men who were of age, and who had no choice as to the damsels to pick as wives. Marriages were mainly decided by families until recently, when young men began to take wives of their choice. Ewes married their cousins for instance, sisters’ sons or daughters as far as they do not bear the same surname with them but this marriage tradition has long ceased while in many areas among the Ewes, it is still sustained till the present day.

Festivals

The major traditional festivals celebrated by the Ewes include Homowo, Dankyibakaka (Pronounced as Danchibakaka), Yam festival, Apenoto, Hogbetsotso (Pronounced as Hogbechocho) and so many others. For the Hogbetsotso festival, it is a reminder to the people of the wicked King Agorkorli which led to their migration from their Notsie abode in Togo. During this festival, the dancers enacted how they escaped from the wicked king by their dance steps and by carrying bags on their heads.

Many traditional festivals have been subdued with the advent of Christianity while many are participated only by Ewe traditionalists are not celebrated tribally anymore as a result of the fetish undertone which they bear.

Language

The general language of the Ewes is the Evegbe language, consisting of different dialects/variants among the Eastern, Southern, Northern and Western Ewes.

Religion

The Ewes originally like most African societies were traditionalists who communicated to the Almighty God who is mostly called Mawu or sometimes, Akpeto through His most wondrous creations like Rivers, Lakes, Mountains, Rocks and Trees etc. After the advent of Christianity, almost 80percent of the Ewes have become Christians today mainly of the Evangelical category and less of the Orthodox all of who recognize Yesu Christo (Jesus Christ) as the Messiah of the universal Christian faithful and regarded as the Son of the Almighty God. The predominant orthodox denominations include Roman Catholic (RC) and Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EP); with the latter being in dominance of the two; and the sparse presence of others including the Anglican Communion, the Methodist and the Baptist churches. 

Having visited their RC churches on over 10 occasions, it is amazing to discover that the Ewes are musical people who actually uphold church devotion in true Celebration of God (and Jesus). Their songs are usually solemn, compassionate and mostly subtle in their rhythms and lyrics. My most preferred song – a passionately submissive and dramatic medley is the Lamb Of God recitation during Consecration in a typical Roman Catholic Holy Mass which is usually rendered dramatically by the Ewes with a stooping position and the spreading of two palms on each other repeatedly in a pleading manner … so very touchy.

Foods

The Ewes have varieties of foods which majorly include staple foods like Akple by the Southern Ewes, a roasted corn meal that is usually prepared in the form of pudding and eaten with Nkontomire (Spinach) sauce. A similar meal is Dzimkple (pronounced as Ginkple) prepared using roasted corn meal, tomatoes, onions, smoked fish, salted fish, cowpeas, left-over palm nut soup or palm oil, pepper and other desired seasonings. It is also called Apapransa and can be garnished using crabs. It is claimed that today, most of the Christian Ewes do not celebrate the Dzimkple delicious meal anymore as it has been associated with fetish practices. This is informed by an ancient practice when during the primitive age among the Ewes, sacrifices to gods during activities associated with traditional festivals, cleansing, reverence to gods  etc. was crowned with the preparation of a delicious meal of Dzimkple which was offered to the gods.

The Eastern Ewes are known for pounded fufu usually one or a combination of the following: Yam, Plantain and Cocoyam. This is served with Light soup, Palm nut Soup or other types of soups.

Ewes are also known for the preparation of Mpotompoto made from boiled and mashed cocoyams or yams with smoked fish, fresh or smoked mushrooms, tomatoes, palm oil, onions, pepper and other local or conventional seasonings to taste. This usually has the look of what could be mashed yam porridge meal in the Nigerian context. Other foods typical of the Ewes include Slice, Beans Stew with Kenkey or Plantain or Rice.

Drinks

The preferred drinks of the Ewes are Palmwine, Solom, Akpeteshie and Pito.

Fashion

Conventionally, the younger men dress in shirts made with local prints and worn on tailor-made trousers; while the elderly men mostly tie long wrappers round their bodies and hang the excess on their shoulders. The younger and elderly women are mostly dressed in African prints designed according to taste; all depending on the occasion. The Ewes usually wear different attires as determined by the occasion like funerals, festivals and other Christian religious festivities and dance performances.

The Ewe females from birth usually wear one or more rounds of beautiful beads round their waists; hanging loosely on their hip region for beauty and sexuality. At birth, a new born-baby girl is usually adorned with beads on her knees, ankles and wrists depending on her mother. This has no fetish undertone but purposely to make the female look adorable and feminine.

Tourism

The Volta Region consists of many tourist spots. The Akosombo Dam which is located in Akosombo town facilitates the near-uninterrupted power supply energy enjoyed in Ghana and provides a beautiful tourist site for visitors to Ghana and also, an excursion location for students of schools within and outside Ghana. The Afadzato Mountain (Pronounced as Afajato), the Wli Falls (pronounced Vli), the Adlaku Mountains, the Tafi-Atome Monkey Sanctuary and many other tourist sites in the different locations of the region inhabited by the Ewes.

Education

The Volta Region is reputed as being the location of the very best of government-owned and affordable Basic and Senior High schools which has recorded several successes in the past and in the present.

Relaxation

The Ewes relax after the day’s hard work with playing cards, sharing tales and drinking palm wine.

Journeying Through The Volta Region

As I set off on a trip to one of the silent towns in the Volta Region of Ghana with the Priest of the Parish where I worship, I had one thing in mind: Sokode Gborgame, our final destination where we had an appointment with a Reverend Sister. It was a two-hour journey from our Tema base, and we actually set off about thirty minutes later than the scheduled take-off time. It started and ended a pleasurable ride, and I truly enjoyed every second of it. Initially, we were moving in snail pace and I was wondering why Father was moving that slowly. Then, we passed Afienya and approached the Shai Hills. I remembered that I had visited the Shai Hills wildlife center with my colleagues four years ago; and actually saw monkeys and other benign animals. As we passed by the main entrance of the wildlife center, I reminisced over the experience and wished those moments could be re-enacted once again.

We sped past and continued on our way to the Volta Region. About a kilometer after the Wildlife center main entrance gate (and the large signpost that indicates the purpose), there were no fanciful houses in sight anymore. All that we could see were merely shackles and huts where natives who put their wares, mainly fruits like different species of mangoes, oranges etc by the roadside; and also, hunters reside. Then, green vegetation was in sight: low grasses, tall trees and weeds all over the place … such natural scenery. Then, littered by the roadside were figures that I could not recognize from afar till we drove closer. Monkeys! Wow!! … They were about ten in number and they sat on the right hand side of the road only. I was amazed and really excited to see these monkeys; the last time I saw a live monkey was about four years ago when I visited the Shai Hills Wildlife center. This came more like a joyous enactment of a scene that I appreciated several years ago. When I last visited Shai Hills Wildlife center, I saw monkeys right inside the bush, though they strolled to the sit out and associated freely with visitors who came with snacks and fruits. There was actually a narrative by one of the Wildlife center attendants that one of the monkeys lost her young that was about three months old, and actually sat beside its carcass for many days until it was completely disintegrated. Asked why the monkey did that? He said that monkeys do not like it when other animals feed on the carcass of their young. Quite interesting!

We sped past the monkeys and continued on our journey … our jolly good ride. Being with a Priest entailed a lot of caution in my conversation and disposition (which can be quite uncomfortable especially for humorous people like moi); however, we journeyed on. Then, we arrived at Juapong town and after paying some money at the toll gate just by the major entrance into the small town, we drove into the ‘Swinging bridge’ … I have heard so much about the ‘Swinging bridge’. I could not still make out what was meant by the adjective ‘Swinging’ and I kept wondering till that day. Now, I scrutinized the bridge to decipher why that adjective was appropriate. I sure noticed that the bridge was suspended with some thick iron rods at the top, but riding on it didn’t give that swinging effect (which was actually what I anticipated). It was a short bridge, but very fascinating and kinda modern by concept.

“Why is this bridge called ‘the Swinging bridge’”?  I asked the Reverend Father

He smiled and answered, “Because this water used to overflow its banks very often and so each time that happens, it never gets as high as the bridge. The bridge is designed to rest only above the water and never submerged by any storm”

Wao! What a concept! I was fascinated the more. Juapong Swinging bridge … Now, I remember Wisdom, one of the security guards at the complex where my office was located at Tema who hails from Juapong. And he always used to tell me each time I asked him how his weekend went on a Monday morning, “Madam, I went to Juapong” Interesting …

We passed Juapong town and began to approach other towns. I fell in love with the names of the towns on that axis. Many of them sound foreign and many actually seem to me to belong to the old English fairy tale century, like Frankadua, Fintey, Sokorde Ando, Apeguso, Ho etc. The country view of these towns is serene and full of vitality; depicting vegetation and purity, at least, that was what I felt as we rode deeper into the heart of the region till we got to our final destination, Sokode Gborgame. There was a sign post which directed traffic to Ho which is about fifteen minutes drive from there.

We took the right turn and proceeded to meet our appointment with the Reverend Sister which turned out to be a brief one …The meeting lasted only thirty minutes, below what Father and I actually expected. As soon as the meeting was over, Father and I hit the road again and journeyed back to Tema, and the sun was quite up. In my mind, I wished I would see the monkeys again so that I could ask Father to slow down a bit for a good view as we were not rushing to catch up with much at Tema. Barely after an hour and half drive, we approached the Shai Hills area where we met the few monkeys on the right hand side of the road earlier in the day. I wondered aloud that with the heat of the sun, these monkeys may not be out by the roadside at that time of the day. And Father asked why I thought that they wouldn’t; after all, they go about their own businesses at noon just like humans do too. Funny … I smiled. Not long after that conversation, I looked ahead of me and noticed that there were many monkeys actually sitting on either sides of the road. I was elated … glad to notice that wild life is actually preserved in this part of the world, more than in the country that I have known all my life. The monkeys numbered about fifty of various sizes and age this time, and they actually sat in clusters as though they were families of father, mother and children.

“Aha, I told you they would be here” The Priest exclaimed.

“Guess what? These monkeys actually behave like humans. I was driving past this road once and I looked ahead and saw some monkeys actually standing just by the edge of the road. It was obvious that they wanted to cross to the other side of the road. I prayed that they would not venture because I was speeding a bit. Somehow, I looked on the other side of the road and noticed that the monkeys sitting there were raising their arms to the sky, and I wondered what that meant. I sped past but looking at my rear mirror, I saw that the monkeys were making gestures indicating that they should cross over to the other side. That was when I realized that by raising their arms, they were only indicating to the other monkeys that it wasn’t safe to cross the road. I giggled and mused over that event for many days” He narrated excitingly.

I turned around to view the monkeys again, but we had gone far. I never cease to be amazed by the sight of those monkeys and the myth that surrounds them. And then, Frankadua and Fintey … those may be the birthplaces of the Princess and the Frog in the next millennium, who knows.

White Wedding Reception in the Gold Coast …

For many years, I have attended white weddings of different classes in the Gold Coast; most of the time, I happen to know the bride or the groom – never both. They were either my sub-ordinates at work, partners, seamstresses, colleagues etc. Many times too, I joined friends to attend the white weddings of couples that I never knew from Adam. I have even joined a wedding at the church where I attend Sunday services. I am not referring to average or below average people but classy people: UK trained dress makers, software developers, web developers, chief executive officers, army generals, lawyers, medical doctors etc. But one thing is strikingly admirable in all of these: the simplicity of the wedding receptions is mind-blowing!

The most amazing part of the white weddings in the Gold Coast which I really want to dwell on is the Reception. During these white wedding receptions where the couples are well-educated and financially buoyant, one would expect to see honorable guests like the military personnel, politicians, renowned medical doctors, successful lawyers etc being recognized individually; and a luxurious high table decorated to accommodate these ‘honorable’ guests. Then, one would expect the Master of the Ceremony to call each of them, saluting them with annoying accolades, and recanting their positions, educational qualifications and success stories, and in the end, lead them to the high table by a beautifully-dressed hostess and a solemn music by the DJ while the commoners applaud them as they leave the ‘low table’. Usually, this mechanized act of flattering usually gulps about one hour and trust me, guests are fagged out by the end of that unpopular ceremony. But what do we have here in the Gold Coast? The couple’s parents, the renowned politicians, medical doctors, lawyers, religious men etc sit in the midst of commoners round the table and are served the same refreshment. Amazing …

E never finish oh! Again, one would expect to see assorted wine lying everywhere and some special brew, lined up at the high table. Just enough is provided! I like … The most annoying part of the wedding receptions that I have attended all my life is the toasting part where every Tom, Dick and Harry claim to be wise and as we dey call them for Naija, ‘the people wey sabi’ begin to advise the couple (as though there are exact rules to successful marriages). Funny enough, most of these ‘fake’ counselors are either thorns in their partners’ flesh or adamant to the feelings of their better-half. In fact, I attended a wedding in Naija where the groom’s father advised his son’s wife during the wedding reception not to make friends with unmarried ladies. And I was like, ‘What the hell!’ I found that so awkward and silly because I have never heard that a married lady having single ladies as friends is a sin. Now, this old folk was actually implying that the bride does away with all the single ladies she knew including her bridal train, chief brides maid, former classmates, colleagues etc who may have traveled long distances just to grace her special day and with whom she had enjoyed friendship over the years. I actually wondered why the groom was not also counseled to do away with his single male friends; because come to think of it, association with single male friends is more harmful to marriages than female friends (can someone echo ‘Yeah’ … Ladies in the House!). When a lady marries, her single friends become conscious of that desire which begins to well up once more in them and they yearn to be like their friend (not always the case though, but the adverse is always in the minority); but the male friend actually ‘yabs’ his friend who is getting married by asking him why he wants to sell his freedom. Funny …

A typical wedding reception in the Gold Coast usually lasts between 75minutes and 100minutes – no long talk, no flattering, no accolades, no counseling, no ‘paparazzi’… Just straight to the point. The couple is ushered into the reception hall and as they take their seats, a cute couple who is special to them is invited to sit with them and that is it! Next, the opening prayer is said, and refreshment is served. While refreshment is going on, the couple cut their cake and the champagne is popped to toast to the success of the marriage. Gifts are presented to the couple while the cake is being shared and the wedding reception is over. Abeg, me like …

In the Gold Coast, newly-wedded couples whose church/registry wedding begin at 10.30a.m usually return home to commence their honeymoon at 2p.m after a solemn wedding reception and their invitees also, return to their homes to complete their household chores before the day is over. I like the simplicity of the people of the Gold Coast, simply put.

Cybersex

This is a censored topic which most people would rather discuss within the enclosure of their bedrooms than in a public medium such as a blog. But the purpose of my blogging is to enlighten readers using real life citations while it also entertains. The fun that comes with Cybersex may sure be inestimable (for individuals who engage in it); but the evils that come alongside it, cannot be overemphasized. A friend shared her experience and I think it is worth featuring in this blog to enlighten the folks (especially, those who's got some reputation to uphold) sticking to Cybersex as easy means to get relief during horny periods.

My friend, who incidentally lives in the same estate where I stay, visited me early one Sunday morning, in tears … broken down emotionally and physically (thank God, she is not on facebook). As soon as I saw her, it was obvious that she had a burden and my heart skipped. As I led her into my living room, I strongly wished that I would be able to help. I shook internally as I led the way and prayed fervently in my heart that there was no loss of life, at least. I was confused. It was 7.05a.m and I was dressing up to go for mass. Well, I knew at once that I had missed the day’s mass; but then, I was also going to help someone in trouble. As we sat down, she looked at me and asked to speak with me in private as she was not sure that the living room was conducive. So we both went into my bedroom and sat on the bed.

She broke down and wept bitterly … I was disillusioned. Here sits a cheerful, sleek and attractive woman that wears a broad smile at all times. I consoled her and pleaded that she lets out her challenge at least, so she could get relief, and we can find a way around it. She has two sons: 16-year old and 13-year old while her husband lives in the UK and visits yearly. She sobbed for some minutes and began her story:

“Ife … You know I don’t even know where and how to start but I am in trouble”, she began. 
“It’s okay. Don’t worry. Just let me know what it is and we can find a way to handle this”, I pleaded with her. 

And then she continued. She was continuously indulging in Cybersex with her husband using her laptop. Apparently, she uses her webcam and sits/stands nude to entertain her hubby who was mostly horny (according to him). Now, while manipulating the webcam, she had unconsciously clicked the “Capture” tab on several occasions, which captured different postures of her nudity. She did not realize this until that fateful morning. Her eldest son was home on mid-term break (he attends a Senior high school and stays in the boarding house). My friend worked the previous night using her laptop and left it up to have a brief nap which eventually turned into a whole night’s rest. She woke up at 6a.m and discovered that there was a strange pen-drive stuck in one of the ports in her laptop. Curious, she opened the pen-drive and discovered some nude pictures of herself!

At first, she could not believe they were her nude postures, but looking closely, the truth became obvious … she was shocked beyond words. She tried to figure out what could have happened and the closest guess was that she must have clicked the Capture tab in error while having Cybersex with her hubby. She quickly ran into her son’s room and woke him up. She questioned how the boy got the pictures and he confessed that he copied them from this same laptop the previous time he visited home, about six weeks before then. She was afraid … and questioned the boy the more, in order to find out if he knew who exactly was in those pictures. The boy insisted that he didn’t know whose pictures they were, but that he copied them from her laptop. She strictly warned him to delete the pictures and never get close to her laptop; ever again. (Now, that was a big mistake ... she just gave him a clue)

The young man was surprised and followed her to her room; he stood beside his mum as she sat on the bed obviously disturbed. He asked, “But mummy why? Why do you have those pictures in your laptop?” My friend said she looked up at her son and told him that she had lent the laptop to her colleague who must be responsible for those pictures, and that she was sorry. The young boy began to cry; he obviously must have derailed a bit by looking at these pictures for many weeks. His mother threw her arm round his neck and cried with him. He walked away slowly obviously taking his mother’s explanation with a pinch of salt. He entered his room and locked the door before my friend could reach the door handle.

Like most laptop and internet users, my friend was ignorant, careless, desperate, distracted and insufficiently informed. Whatever harm done on her son these past six weeks was primarily contributed by her; no one else. No matter how horny one must be (an obvious fact, no doubt), the possible consequences of Cybersex must not be overlooked. What if my friend’s son shared his pen-drive with a friend who copied the pictures and kept sharing the pictures till it became household porn? … She believed that the boy knew that those were her nude pictures; she could not figure out what the boy was thinking and how she would face him again. She wept and blamed herself …

The more she tried to control herself, the more she cried. That morning, my friend bared her mind to me and we talked it over and conquered her predicament like great friends.