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Sorry, My Land Ehugbo

By Chijioke Egwu Ekumaoko
November 15, 2009

We are no more “Nd’Ehugbo”
But Afikpo people.
Put your eyes at the back.
Can you see Afikpo taking over
The entire “ali Ehugbo.”

Where do I start the narration?
Is it our “egwu onwa” that is moonlight dance
That gangster pops have overtaken?

Is it our “okokoriko” child dance
That “praise the Lord” has consumed?

Is it our “omume” title taking?
Connoting prosperity, integrity and respect of man
That baptism has named fetish.

Is it our “uke elia” the “eto,” “essa,” “oniikara,” “horri”
That civilization pictures barbaric.
Is it our “egwu mbe,” “mkpomkpo,” “okumkpo,” “ikwa nti”
Aimed to curb social ills and scandals,
Now considered a time-waste.

Is it our “lughulu” masquerades?
Our height of fun and relaxation,
Equal to Santa Claus,
Now described as heathen and ungodly.

Is it our “ogo” initiation?
Our own formal education,
Making men out of boys,
Now a pure satanic act.

Is it… Oh! Tears raining…

A lot has gone badly wrong.
True, some are not good.
But we can’t have bad tongue
For all we are, all we represent.
Oh! Nd’Ehugbo, what do our ape fathers
Tell us as we return home.