THE VEIL OF DESTINY

Chapter three

Beyond the Veil of Destiny

Chapter Three

She emerged from the dusty horizon, her gaunt figure silhouetted against the scorching sun. Tribal marks adorned her cheeks, telling stories of her northern heritage. Her tiny frame, malnourished and frail, seemed to buckle under the weight of an enormous load. It was as if she carried the burdens of her entire village on her shoulders.

Her faded, tattered clothing hung loosely, revealing sunken shoulders and a fragile spine. A worn-out hijab wrapped around her head, its edges frayed and threadbare. Her eyes, sunken and weary, told tales of struggle and resilience.

The load she carried defied logic – an impossible heap of onions, a bag of rice, and bundles of plastic brooms that would crush a motorbike. Yet, she trudged forward, each step a testament to her unyielding spirit.

As she approached, the air thickened with anticipation. What drove this fragile, tribal-marked young girl to carry such an impossible burden? What secrets lay hidden beneath her worn clothing and weathered skin?

Her eyes locked onto Jojo's, and for an instant, the world froze. The weight of her gaze held a thousand untold stories, drawing Jojo inexorably into her world.

"Will she collapse under the weight, or will her unbreakable spirit prevail?" The suspense hung like a challenge, beckoning the family to continue the journey.

Jojo: "This girl is really underage and very small, but the load she's carrying is abnormal. Why will she be wasting her energy on this menial job?" Jojo asked with a very sad voice.

Maa Esi: "These people are northerners who run from their villages and towns to seek a job here and in other cities, but due to their high illiteracy, they're convinced to undertake this job."

Jojo: "What? Where are their parents and relatives, and did they really run from their comfort zone to suffer here?"

Maa Esi: "Who said they left a comfort zone or serene environment? The northern region, to be honest, is an uncomfortable and underdeveloped place to live. They're faced with a lot of water and feeding problems. They suffer very high temperatures since they live in the arid area."

Jojo: "Hm!! Then they will be going through a lot, oh. But they can buy air conditioners which can cool their homes for them."

Maa Esi: "These people are really faced with abject poverty, and they live on limited resources."

Jojo: "Oh! Then I guess leaving there will be challenging. But at least education can help them go a little bit forward in life, right?"

Maa Esi: "Yes, there are schools there, but they're not really effective. They don't really cherish education, oh! my son. What they cherish most is farming, especially growing and rearing. They're really specialists in it."

Maa Esi: "Akwasi, my lovely boy, do you know anything about northerners?"

Akwasi: "Yes, please. My friends told me that they are hardworking and they carry goods for people. Actually, they are 'human machinery.' Caleb, the guy who is brilliant in my class, said that when they carry things, they just charge only coins. But when they charge a higher price, customers cheat them."

Jojo: "Ah! Why will people do this to these poor and sad people?"

Maa Esi: "Well, my sons, people thought that northerners have no cover-ups, and no one really respects them because of their background. This biography about them is one which is very sad and mind-blowing," said Akwasi.

"Mummy, but I heard that they really appreciate their culture a lot. Their dressing is very unique, especially their Batakari. Farming activities and a lot of interesting things."

Maa Esi briefed them small about the region: "They have a lot of developmental projects, but most of them can't be traced. It's unfortunate that the conflict and the destruction in the north are hindering their development. It's a vicious cycle where the government allocates funds to repair damaged projects, rather than investing in new ones. That's why their region is underdeveloped."

"On a more positive note, Akwasi and Jojo, it's wonderful to hear about the beauty and hospitality of the northerners. Their young girls, in particular, seem to have a special charm that attracts people to them."

Maa Esi continued, "Most northerners come from towns like Kpandai, Bimbilla, Yendi, Zabzugu, Saboba, Tatale, and Lunghi, and most of them are really gorgeous."

Jojo and Akwasi: "Wow, Mummy, you really know much about them. How did you get to that level? You are our intelligent and smart mother in the whole world."

Maa Esi: "I appreciate you, my sons. I just listen to the news and read more about them. Try this habit of reading and listening, especially to television stations that use the English language."

Akwasi and Jojo were surprised and thanked their mother for the piece of advice.

"So let's play this game, and the winner will get extra meat tonight." Maa Esi threw a challenge. "So, who can tell me the major crops grown by the northerners and what they're mostly used for, just in two minutes?"

Jojo and Akwasi were just staring at each other, not knowing what to say.

Maa Esi: "I guess my boys don't know the answer. Let me tell you."

Maa Esi: "So, the northerners cultivate groundnuts, beans, and millet on a very large scale. The groundnuts they cultivate are used for a lot of things worldwide. They purposely grow groundnuts on a large scale for oil extraction, and some of them are exported abroad, which brings about foreign exchange. But due to improvement and advancement, most Asantes travel up there and buy groundnuts in large quantities. They fry it, peel off the cover, and mill it into groundnut paste."

Akwasi: "Wow, Mummy! So, this is how we had groundnut paste which we used in preparing special groundnut soup which goes well with 'rice ball made of local Ghanaian rice,' Fufu with groundnut soup, and many more which are served in our various restaurants, chop bars, and local homes."

Jojo: "Yes, Mummy, especially groundnut paste with bread. It is very nice, but you have to check your stomach before."

Maa Esi: "Akwasi, I saw you stealing the groundnut paste for the last two days. Please don't do it again. If you need something, just ask, okay?"

Akwasi: "Please, Mum, I'm sorry. It won't happen again."

Maa Esi: "It's okay, my son. You are forgiven. But God doesn't like children who steal."

Maa Esi: "Their millet is also used for Ahosa kooko (millet porridge), and the fried beans, which are bean cakes, go well with the porridge."

Akwasi: "Yes, Maame, especially with the same roasted groundnut."

Jojo: "My teacher told us something small about them when we were learning social studies. Mr. Habib once said: 'Northerners' vibrant colors of their traditional attire, the intricate patterns on their clothing, and the warm smiles on their faces all seemed to tell a story of a people who were deeply rooted in their traditions.'"

Akwasi: "Eh! So, Mr. Habib, that teacher with a smooth and shiny bald head, said this in your class? He didn't even talk about it in our class lessons."

Jojo: "Ah ah ah, Akwasi, you are funny oh! As for his bald head, it is obvious that it is shiny and funny-looking. When you reach grade seven, he will teach you."

Akwasi: "Okay, I will be waiting for it."

Jojo: "And he also talked about their colorful festivals they celebrate throughout the year, the delicious foods they prepare for special occasions, and the beautiful music they play to accompany their dancers."

Maa Esi: "Really? So, you now appreciate how they are, right?"

Jojo: "Yes, Mummy, and I had also learned how to remain resilient and be a proud young boy, which I will be deeply committed to my traditions and customs."

Akwasi: "Wow, Jojo, you have learned a lot, oo. My friend Sadiq, who has stayed in the northern part of Ghana for a while and is the most hardworking pupil in the school, said that their girls are like flowers in bloom, their beauty and innocence captivating all who lay eyes on them. Sadiq also emphasized how they move with quiet confidence, their heads held high and their smiles radiant. You will watch them but couldn't help but wonder what it was about them that made them so special. Was it their upbringing, their education, or something else entirely? Whatever it was, it was clear that those young girls were the future of their community, and they were destined for great things."

Jojo: "So, that's what you guys have been talking about in school, right? You are going wayward, Akwasi."

Maa Esi intervened, allowing him to express his views about the topic at hand. "He is just talking about what he was told; it doesn't mean that he is into any bad company."

But Akwasi, despite the fact that they have a very bright future, they are forced into early marriages with old men who can even be their great-grandfathers," Maa Esi added.

Akwasi: "What! How can a young girl like that get married to those aged men?"

Maa Esi: "That's why the girls run away to avoid this a***e and come here to make a living by carrying overload goods."

Jojo: "Mummy, please. I heard that they are called kayayoo girls."

"Yes, my son, that's the common name for them, and they are also good at it," Maa Esi said.

Akwasi: "Mum, so what is the western name for them, I mean their English name?"

Maa Esi: "From what I know, it can be interpreted as 'carry and go' or Kesa."

"Hey Mum, look at that crowd! What's going on?" Maa Esi and her two sons moved towards the scene, curiosity getting the better of them.

The air was electric with tension as the crowd chanted, "Beat him! Beat him! Beat him!" The cacophony grew louder, and Akwasi's curiosity was piqued.

"Mum, what's going on?" Akwasi asked, tugging at Maa Esi's hand.

"I don't know, my son, but I think it might be a thief," Maa Esi replied, her brow furrowed with concern.

Maa Esi approached a witness, Akosua, and asked, "Hello, my sister, what's happening here?"

Akosua's expression was somber as she explained, "The young boy stole bread from a shop this morning, and the owner is furious."

Akwasi's eyes widened in shock. "Just a bread, Mum?"

Maa Esi shot him a stern glance. "Akwasi, don't interrupt when people are talking."

Akwasi apologized and rejoined Jojo, his eyes fixed on the unfolding drama.

Maa Esi turned to Akosua and asked, "Can't someone rescue the young boy?"

Akosua shook her head. "I don't think so; the bread is someone's livelihood, and he needs to protect his business."

Just then, a woman pushed through the crowd, her face set with determination. "Leave him alone! Can't you see he's tired and hungry? Would you steal if circumstances were different?"

The crowd's fervor dissipated, and they began to disperse. The woman paid for the bread and then turned to the bread seller. "Reverse the beatings you've inflicted."

The bread seller hesitated, but the woman's firm tone brooked no argument. "You can't undo what's been done, but you can let him go. Get out before I call the police."

As the crowd dispersed, Maa Esi turned to her sons. "You see, my children, we must fight for fairness and justice. No matter how small the issue is, we must stand up for what's right."

The woman's actions had left a lasting impression on them. The woman then called a taxi and sent the young boy to the hospital for treatment.

As they watched, Maa Esi suggested they visit her old friend at the far end of the market. Jojo's eyes were wide with concern.

"Mum, if the woman hadn't intervened, would he have been beaten to death?"

Maa Esi's expression turned somber. "Yes, my son, it's possible. The Bible says, 'Love your neighbor as yourself' (Mark 12:31)."

Akwasi's voice was filled with wonder. "So, they were ready to end someone's life over a loaf of bread when he could have worked hard and bought billions of bread if he had a job?"

Maa Esi nodded. "That's why parents teach their children good morals and values, my dear. Proverbs 22:6 reminds us, 'Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it'."

As they walked away, Maa Esi's words lingered in their minds. "Let's visit my old friend and forget about what happened here. We'll focus on the positives and spread kindness wherever we go."