Belief system and practice

I have always been fascinated with things that happen beyond the human eyes.

I have also been opportune to witness a few and trust me it comes with a very intriguing feeling, seeing something that transcends all forms of physical explanation.

It's no longer news that some Africans are gradually shifting base back to their root in terms of beliefs.

When my family and I first moved to this community two decades ago, I can remember vividly some traditional practices that took place in the community especially by the river bank.

Every so often I would go to the Market to get foodstuffs and I will see the traditional worshipers dressed in white and red regalia matching to the river bank with Fanta, pastries, toys, eggs, mashed yam and palm oil in native pots, sweets, and everything sugary.

By the time they get to the river bank, these items will be assembled in a basin and set aside. While some of them would take several steps backwards, the chief priestess and some few others would stand by these items that has been set aside.

As the chief priestess get on with the incantations and body display, I'd notice the water moves in a sharp spin or a straight line. At a point, the movement of whatever was in the water started matching the rhythm of the Priestess's body display.

Trust me when I tell you I was intrigued just by watching from a secluded corner. After the display, the selected few standing by the priestess side would start throwing the food items into the river.

Back then, whenever I go to the market, I always look forward to this event but after sometime, the activity seized or should I say died down. Fast-forward various years after, the community leaders through the town crier made a public announcement that they want to restart the worship of their deity, gods, and goddesses with the hope that their community would grow to be prosperous.

They began by setting a day aside every week for market day, and then they fixed a date where their feast will be held which will display many masquerade attires worn by individuals already fortified to carry out such task.

Let me digress a little, as my trip down memory lane is now starting to have branches.

Several Decembers ago, my daughter and I visited a friend at one of the riverine rural community in Rivers state.

The community is usually bubbling with the enjoyment and the high life during this time. Moreso, majority of the sons and daughters of the soil who reside in the cities come home to celebrate, and you'd see parties being held at every compound.

My friend had invited me for the back to back event, and it was fun.

We'd often stay up partying until 4 am and as we were retiring home, that is when some people are just starting out with their party.

As we walk past some of these people, the ones that are familiar with my friend and his girlfriend would want to drag us back to the party but it's usually jump and pass for us.

In the same time frame while we were there, his elder brother, who was a member of the masquerade fraternity and also an artist, was designing some masquerades for the festival.

Trust my daughter to go check out the art work and even pose with it for a photograph.

Now back to my narrative, recently, I was at the market again in the community where I reside and just as I was waiting for the meat seller to attend to me, I saw the traditional worshipers match in but this time around, they did not come with their Fanta, pastries and plenty food.

Instead, they came with one tiny bunch of plantain and few tubers of yam. I also noticed some men on casual clothing walk in.

That's not all, I was watching from afar when I noticed some young men storming out angrily that they do not have to waste their time sticking around as the food items will not be thrown into the water from the river bank.

Apparently, a selected few of the traditional worshipers were asked to go on a boat ride to throw the bunch of plantain and yams deep inside the river. These aggravated the men as they were hoping to retrieve some of the food items for themselves once it has been thrown into the river.

From where I was standing, I laughed, truly there is hunger in the land.

All images are mine

Above is my response to the hivenaija, mayinleo prompt for day 27. You can participate here

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