A Lineage And the Unworthy priest.

Generations later, within the Umuigwe community in Africa in 1917. The Okoro family, known as a lineage of chief priests, remained dedicated to their sacred duties. The succession of their role was seamless until it reached Ikenna, a warrior and chief priest with two wives.

Unfortunately, his first wife, Ugoma, faced mistreatment and infertility, leading to villagers singing songs of shame. And the village chief priest supposed to have a son to be worthy to carry the village ofo for any festival especially the iwa ji festival. Despite Ikenna's neglect, one intoxicated night, he mistakenly took Ugoma for his second wife, Ekemma, the newly married bride. Took her in and made love to her.

When Ikenna realized his errors, he physically assaulted her, forcefully pushing her into the nearby bushes, hurling derogatory remarks on her, 'Ewu, you came here to waste my time, You barren-stricken woman.'

Helpless on the rocky ground, Ugoma made a desperate plea to Almighty God, whom she had never seen, asking for a child since other gods had forsaken her. Tearfully, she cried, 'Chukwu-Abiama, have mercy on me and grant me a child. That's all I wish for.'

Shortly after, a falling star appeared, and she succumbed to a deep sleep. Regrettably, the village goddess, Ijede, known for bestowing children from the forest, mocked her for invoking an unknown god. Ugoma was given a child by this wicked deity to cause her pain. She gave her an Ogbanje child, who, as tradition dictated, brought financial strain to the family as these children rarely stay long after birth.

Ukwaike, Ugoma's mother-in-law, a skilled herbalist, was returning from her nocturnal herb quest in the forest. In the mystical realm of Iboland, midnight proved optimal for gathering potent herbs, a task undertaken by local healers known as dibias. Ukwaike, adept in herbal lore, also aided women in childbirth. Their unwavering commitment to divine service endowed them with spiritual prowess to dispel the malevolent forces lurking in the sinister depths of the evil forest.

Each night, guided by a torch fueled with extracts from palm fruits, Ukwaike dutifully embarked on her journey through diverse corners of the forest. Her mission transcended the mere collection of herbs; it was a sacred duty to channel the energies of the night and tap into the mystical forces that dwelled in the heart of the woods. The flickering flames of her torch danced like spirits in the darkness, revealing the symbiotic relationship between the herbalist and the enigmatic forces she served.

Ukwaike's role extended beyond the physical realm, for she held the power to heal and liberate others from the clutches of dark forces. The veil between the spiritual and material worlds seemed thin as she traversed the hidden paths, carrying not only the tangible herbs but also the intangible essence of her divine connection. In the silent hours of the night, Ukwaike's presence in the forest became a harmonious dance between nature's remedies and mystical energies, as she fulfilled her sacred obligation to the gods and the community she served.

On a fateful night, as Ukwaike made her way back, she stumbled upon Ugoma, sprawled lifelessly on the unforgiving ground beneath the glow of a full moon in the biting cold. Swiftly, she hoisted Ugoma, their weights mirroring each other in an unusual synchronicity. The desperate cry escaped Ukwaike's lips, "What has my Chi done to me? Ugom Ugom?" Ugoma, barely clinging to consciousness, heard the words as distant echoes.

In the chilling solitude of that moonlit night, Ukwaike grappled with the severity of the situation. "Oh Chi m. Who is around here to help us?" Her voice trembled with a mix of fear and despair, resonating in the silent wilderness. Ugoma's senses were fading, and Ukwaike frantically scanned the surroundings, desperately seeking aid.

Then, as if summoned by the urgency of the moment, Ikenna materialized from the shadows around the corner of a humble hut. Emerging into Ukwaike's view, the silhouette of Ikenna hastened toward the unfolding scene. The moonlight cast elongated shadows, accentuating the gravity of the encounter. It was a pivotal juncture where the threads of fate interwove the lives of these characters.

Ukwaike, burdened with the weight of a seemingly dire circumstance, met Ikenna's gaze. A silent exchange passed between them, laden with unspoken questions and shared concern. The rhythm of their breaths seemed to synchronize with the ambient stillness, creating an atmosphere pregnant with anticipation.

In the hushed night, under the watchful eye of the full moon, Ikenna approached with a determination that echoed in every step. The gravity of the situation painted a somber backdrop to this unexpected encounter. As he reached the duo, in the haste of arrival, Ikenna swiftly took his wife from his mother's trembling grasp and hurried her to the shrine, placing her before the gods. Remorse engulfed him as he regretted mistreating her due to the pain inflicted by news of her barrenness, whispering, "Forgive me, Ugoma. I never meant to hurt you." Ukwaike, displeased with Ikenna's actions, maintained silence, attending to unconscious Ugoma while withholding words.

Three days later, early in the morning, Ugoma coughed and regained consciousness in the shrine. Ukwaike hurriedly walked in and expressed gratitude to her Chi for hearing her prayers. She cradled Ugoma, observing her with care. Suddenly, Ikenna entered, prostrating at his mother's feet, pleading for forgiveness. His mother embraced him and called him three times, "Ikenna Ikenna Ikenna, what many times did I call you?" He responded."Three times ma ma,"

Ukwaike cautioned him against mistreating his wife again.

In the serene village, three weeks later and nearing the upcoming eke market day, Ikenna diligently offered wine and kolanuts to his ancestors before resuming his priestly duties at the Ikenga shrine. Ukwaike, from her humble shrine, caught the faint echo of his devoted voice.

Beneath the ancient Iroko tree in the heart of Ikenna's compound, a cinematic tableau unfolded. With pride and precision, Ikenna poured libations of hot drink onto clay altars, surrounded by the ancestral shrines. The air carried the rich scent of burning incense, and flickering torch flames bathed the anthropomorphic wooden statues of Ikenga, casting an enchanting glow-the revered deity of success and personal achievement-in a scene that whispered of sacred rituals and the mystical embrace of tradition.

Ikenna, draped in vibrant traditional attire, recites sacred prayers in his native Igbo tongue, a colorful homage to the spirits safeguarding his family and community. The air becomes charged with reverence as wine flows through meticulously crafted clay altars. Wooden Ikenga statues, adorned with intricate details, seem to stir to life in the dancing light, embodying a profound connection between the earthly and spiritual realms.

The liquid offerings meander down the channels of the clay altars, creating an intimate dance with the unseen forces. The wooden Ikenga figures, bearing witness to generations, come alive in the flickering light, as if channeling the collective wisdom of the ancestors. The resonance of Ikenna's prayers transcends mere words, symbolizing a timeless dialogue between the living and the divine. This poignant scene serves as a living tapestry, woven with threads of cultural richness and spiritual depth, binding the present to the profound legacy of those who came before.

In this luminous tableau, Ikenna's attire mirrors the vibrancy of his culture, a kaleidoscope of hues that reflects the depth of his spiritual connection. As the prayers echo, the carefully carved clay altars become conduits for the ancestral spirits, bridging the tangible and intangible worlds. The carved Ikenga statues, bearing the weight of tradition, emanate a palpable energy, embodying the spiritual essence that courses through the veins of the community. This evocative scene stands as a testament to the resilience of cultural practices and the profound interplay between the mortal and the sacred, a timeless continuum that binds the living to the spiritual tapestry of their lineage.

As the event unfolded, Ugoma hastily emerged from her hut, retched, and methodically wiped her mouth. After pausing to reflect on the source of her distress, she touched her neck to gauge if fever lingered. "What is happening to me this morning?" she pondered, then set off toward her mother-in-law's shrine. Passing Ikenna with a greeting of "Nnanyi Ututu oma!" she proceeded to the small shrine located at the compound's periphery.

Inquisitively, she sought answers as she faced the sacred space, contemplating the mysterious unfolding of events that marked the beginning of her day.

After hours of Ukwaike examining Ugoma, she emerged and, with a somber expression, went out to congratulate Ikenna. Reacting swiftly, Ikenna rose from his stool and approached her. As they entered the shrine, both women exuded a sense of melancholy. "I'm going to have a son at last; you should be happy for me," Ikenna proclaimed, but Ukwaike interjected firmly, "I know, my son, but not an ogbanje." As she shakes her head. "God forbid!" Ikenna exclaimed. He then sank to the bare floor, cradling his head in one hand, succumbing to tears. "What have I done wrong, Ikenna?" he questioned his god.

In a heart-wrenching confession, Ikenna continued sharing the recent attack of OguDike and his marauding men attacking their village, overpowering their warriors and enslaving their women. The recurrent brutality left Ikenna grappling with the weight of helplessness and despair, unable to shield his community from the relentless onslaught.

"Regrettably, the village has attributed the recent attack to me, accusing me of being unable to carry Ikenga into war." He added. Ikenga's response to this development is really making Ikenna concerned. He walked out of the shrine and into my hut with a discouraged, moody expression.