One may often wonder—do traditional beliefs still apply when people find themselves in foreign lands? 🌍💭 In many communities, acts such as adultery, stealing, or taking a life are strictly forbidden. Yet, what happens to those who are natives of a land but are born and raised in distant continents, far removed from their culture and traditions? 🌸
The truth is, somewhere along the way, many parents have allowed their children to lead them, instead of guiding them as they should. 🌿💛 This shift has quietly created a gap—one where knowledge of heritage begins to fade.
There is a story often told—a painful one. A young girl, still in school, lost her life after undergoing an abortion. 🌺 In her homeland, such an act is not only prohibited but considered an abomination. Even in cases where medical intervention becomes necessary, certain rites must be performed after saving the woman’s life, to restore balance and honor tradition. 🌸
It was one hot afternoon when Nwanneka came running into the compound, shouting that an ambulance was approaching. 🚑 But where we come from, the sight of an ambulance does not bring hope—it signals loss. Any vehicle without seats, carrying wooden planks, is what we call an ambulance—a carrier of the dead, not a saver of lives. 🌿
At once, anxiety filled the air. People began asking questions—who had been sick? Could it be an accident? And if so, who? 💭 Within minutes, the piercing sound of a siren echoed: “Wa wa wa wa wow!” Everyone froze, then panic set in. The villagers did not wait for confirmation; cries and wails broke out, rising and falling as they tried to uncover the truth. 🌺
Soon, the devastating news arrived—it was Amuche, Bernard’s first daughter, a young woman who had just graduated from the university. 🌸💔 The grief was overwhelming.
The elders gathered, speaking in hushed but firm tones: “It is not ordinary for such a fresh green leaf to fall. Something—or someone—must have plucked it.” 🌿 They sent two men to Ichie Ogwumagana to uncover the cause of her death.
Ichie Ogwu, as he was fondly known, consulted the Afa. After casting it four times, he shook his head in sorrow. 🌺 He revealed that the young woman had committed an abomination. In their land, terminating a pregnancy is a taboo. Even when done for medical reasons, certain rituals must follow, for the blood of a native cannot be taken lightly or used without appeasing the gods. 🌸
But Mr. Bernard, her father, was a Christian. He did not believe in such traditional practices. In his grief, he rejected the claims, insisting that his daughter had simply fallen ill and met her time. He asked only to mourn her in peace. 💛
Eventually, she was laid to rest, and the traditional rites were performed. 🌿
When I heard this story, I reflected deeply. Whether the dibia was right or wrong, one truth stood clear—everyone must learn the dos and don’ts of their homeland. 🌍🌸 There is an increasing rate of untimely deaths among young men and women, perhaps because of the blending of cultures and the freedom that often comes with exposure. Many begin to live without boundaries. 🌺
To the young girls—ask questions. 🌿💛 Be informed, because certain choices may lead to consequences you may not fully understand. And to the young men as well—be mindful and responsible. 🌸
Distance does not change who you are. 🌍 Your roots remain your roots. Know them, honor them, and live by the principles that guide your people. 🌺 Even in modern medicine, family history remains a vital key to understanding a person fully.
Do not be swept away by the distractions of new cultures and lifestyles. 🌿 Know yourself. Remember where you come from. As our elders say, a rat does not play with a lizard in the rain. 🌧️🐀
With love always, 🌸💛
I remain your friend and brother,
Maazi Onuora Obodoechi
Pen it down. 