THE AFRICA CHILD

MARRIAGE WITH CHIEF AKANDE

It early hour of the day,Chief Akande a man of about 50 years of age,with two beautiful wives and 13 children has come with some of his kingsmen to the compound of Mr Rotimi to pay the bride price of one of his daughters Adeyemi a 16 years old girl. Adeyemi who was supposed to be in school with other children could not because of forceful marriage as a result of her father's inability to pay the debt he own chief Akande and as such Adeyemi has to be used as a ransom of his father's debt. Adeyemi happened to be the first daughter of Mr Rotimi, she was the second born in the family of five with an older brother and three younger siblings, Adeyemi mother Mrs Rotimi Bumi has done all that was within her power to save her daughter from child marriage,but all efforts was to no avail,has the debt was much and the only pay back chief Akande wanted was their daughter. Adeyemi mother began to teach her young daughter how to be a woman, taking care of the home and also being a good wife to chief Akande, Adeyemi cried, pleaded with her parents not to give her out,but there was nothing they could do. Finally, Adeyemi has been handed over to chief Akande as wife according to their tradition and culture,the other wife gave her a worm welcome as she was as young as one of their daughters Ireti who was same age with Adeyemi.None of her age grade could laugh or even mock at her Adeyemi because it could have happened to any of them,as child marriage was part of their culture and tradition. After the first night with chief, Adeyemi horrific story has just began.