The Beliam's fuzz

Reminiscence

His name is Oppong Gyabah. I mean the one who had finally made me hit the button of emotional mangle. He is the eldest son of Opanin Kofi Gyabah. They're one of the reputable families of Agyapakrom. Talks in town this week had it that he had returned from his adventures of touring around places in the country and even the world. They said he brought with him some interesting things that he calls "ice cream and toffees. " During the nighttime, both the young and the old gather in front of their house to see a box that displays pictures and videos. They call that one "tetebision" (television). Afrakoma is so obsessed with that digital box that she's willing to offer me a portion of the meat for her supper so I can cover for her when she sneaks out and watches it, even if it is for a brief moment.

"That's Oppong. The one I've been talking about. Isn't he so handsome?" Afrakomah whispered in my ears, pointing in his direction as she pushed my shoulders to draw my attention to him. "Oh, Afrakomah, don't be so exaggerative. Haven't you seen men that are more handsome than those around?" I asked sarcastically. You know ladies and our way of denying things. "Go away, you don't have eyes for good things," Afrakomah responded with a little bit of seriousness on her face. "He's handsome but not as much as you're trying to insinuate," I responded, drawing a smile on my face. We both giggled.

I know you're wondering whether it's the first time I've seen this man who seems more popular than anyone else in the village. Guess what? I'm a slave. Yes, a slave girl. Fortunately, if I didn't tell you about that, you'd never know because of how Opanin Afrifah and his children had taken me as one of theirs. His wife, Maame Afrah, is sometimes a pain in the a*s, but I've managed her unusual brutality coupled with sheer jealousy and pride for some time now. I used to cry and miss home when she started, but after over thirteen years, I think I'm used to her. Opanin Afrifah has three children. Kwaku Afrifah, Yaw Afrifah and my dearest Afrakomah. They all treat me as their sister and never had any of them refer to me as the slave I am. Kwaku Afrifah, the eldest, sometimes fights those guys who disturb me in the village. He is somehow my rock and protector. Yaw Afrifah, the second born, is enrolled in the British school. His father, Opanin Afrifah, is an ambitious man and wants his children to also learn in school. I always wanted to be a student, but my gender as a female and my status as a slave worsen my chances of making any of it happen. Sometimes, I sneak together with Afrakomah, who is mostly not interested in Yaw Afrifah's room to learn how to read and write. It's easier than I thought it was. I can now read a few words and even write them on my own. I've hidden lots of papers and books in my room so that I can practice them when the place is quiet and I'm alone. I mostly doze off when reading it due to tiredness.

But before then, let me take you back to how I got here. My father was a royal. He served as one of the elders of King Konkoli, "the mighty one" as he calls himself. We lived peacefully in a village many miles north of Agyapakrom called Aketekyiwa. One day, war broke out between my people and Agyapakrom over trade lands. The people of Agyapakrom believed that my people had invaded their trade lands and my people believed that not to be true.

Agyapakrom and Akatekyiwa had been the centre of trade for the people along the Coastal belts of the Gold Coast (which will later become Ghana). The quarrels about which village would lead the market had been there for ages past. It was not until I was about five years old that those quarrels ended when my people captured and killed one of the traders from Agyapakrom. This stirred up war and the people of Agyapakrom prevailed. They captured our mighty King and killed both of my parents. The village of Aketekyiwa turned into blood that day. It was a terrifying experience. Since then, the village has been left desolate as those that survived fled for their lives into neighbouring villages. I only thank God that I was too young to remember the extent of damage done to my people. Though I sometimes get memories of how my parents used to treat me, they only look like flashcards in the mental picture it creates in my memory. I also have Opanin Afrifah and his children to thank for not making me miss home too much. Since that day, the people of Agyapakrom had been feared throughout all the neighbouring lands.

Agyapakrom is a really beautiful village. Could be that close to being even called a town but it's still a village because it lacks some key things like schools and hospitals. A big stream that serves as drinking water for the community lies east of the village. The whole community marches to the stream early in the morning to fetch some water. The main occupation of the inhabitants is fishing. The river Volta is one of the things that made the village beautiful. The men in the village love fishing and they send their harvest up north to sell and they make a lot of money from it.

Agyapakrom has four families. The inhabitants of around 300 all belong to one of these families, either through s*****y or by blood ties. Everyone who relocates to the village is given an ultimatum to choose which family to be associated with. Opanin Afrifah and his family, whom I'm proud to be part of now, are one of them. They are notable for their skills in farming and their intelligence in school. School isn't a popular thing among the people of Agyapakrom, but Opanin Afrifah and his family are known to be intellectuals. His son Yaw Afrifah was recently honoured in school for his excellence. Opanin Kofi Gyabah and his family are also well known for their riches. They're the most popular figures in the village because of their son, Oppong Gyabah, and his little digital box called television. The third family is the Opanin Owusu family. They're well known for their hunting skills. Most people call Opanin Owusu "Agyabomofo", meaning, Mr Hunter. They are the suppliers of bush meat in the area aside from the fish we all get from the river. The last family is the Opanin Nimoh family. This family is well known for their cassava cultivation. They're mostly farmers and suppliers of indigenous corn flakes known as "gari."

The Sunkwa-kofo is the most enviable crown in the village. The winner of the wrestling bout becomes the chief financial operator of the community for the next year. They decide the prices to sell the major items and the taxes to be paid on them. They also collect the taxes and forward the proceedings to the king. That is why each family prepares their sons to be ready for the Sunkwa-kofo. I don't like why things are done that way, but anyway, culture is culture right?

Back to the Sunkwa festival... Well, that was one long and boring background, I know, but they will all be important for your knowledge in the aftermath of my story as it unfolds. Just keep the little you could grab somewhere safe and let's move on to what I know you're eager to hear.

The current holder of the Sunkwa-kofo crown, Opanin Owusu (Agyabomofo), presented the crown to the king. It is time to find a new owner for the crown. I was eager to see who wins it, though I didn't like to see people fight. Kwaku Afrifah, my eldest brother and the first son of Opanin Afrifah, also seems to agree with me. Though he's the one defending our family in the Sunkwa-kofo this year, I knew he was going to lose even before the fight began. But then, three days ago, Kwaku Afrifah, my brother, had gotten into what was a very heated argument with Kofi Gyabah, my new crush, when they were playing "Dame" (a Scrabble game that looks like chess). My brother Kwaku was the king of Dame in the town. His name was sung by the numbers that sat under the Nim tree early each evening to play Dame. It was not until Kofi Gyabah arrived from his pilgrimage and took his title. The two had been thrown into a series of contests to determine who is better. Though Kofi Gyabah had won most of the titles, my brother Kwaku Afrifah was not one of those that gave up easily. That is why Kwaku has suddenly gotten so gassed up and well motivated to beat Kofi Gyabah in the wrestling bout for the Sunkwa-kofo.

Beforehand, I was my brother's fan, but I don't know who I support now. Preliminary bouts have been cleared and Oppong Gyabah and my brother Afrifah are in the finals of the Sunkwa-kofo. Tension was high among the crowd and the emotional uproar was touchable. Everybody was eager to see the finals.

"Who will win this?" Afakomah asked as she turned around and looked me in the face. For a moment, I stood and watched her face with no particular answer to give her. Did I want my brother to win or was I anticipating the victory of Oppong Gyabah? I guess time will tell.