by Fidelia Echezona

Created on: November 15, 2008

TORTOISE AGAINST OSINYI AND OTHER ANIMALS

Note:

In Igbo land, ukwa, (African breadfruit ) ranks first among the staple foods of the people. Ukwa tree is one of the huge deciduous plants of the tropics. Because it provides its useful seeds throughout the year, the Igbos believe that God gives it as a favor to chosen families. As a result, it is a taboo to plant it. Each tree bears several round pods during fruiting season. It takes days, sometimes weeks, to prepare ukwa for food. The seeds have to be extracted from slimy pulps that must be left to decay for about a week. Each seed has two coverings the outer husk and the inner membrane. The best ukwa must be completely picked clean before cooking, that means many hours of hard work by many hands. Cooking time for ukwa is about three hours. It is so tasty on its own that no seasoning, not even salt, is required for a rich flavor. At the end of long hours of preparations, a plate of ukwa is a heap of delicious vegetarian protein dish that gives the stomach delightful assignment for upward of five hours.

Tortoise, known in Igbo fables as the craftiest animal, was not happy that he receives only a little portion of ukwa that has been cooked for all animals. So, he planned a way to have a pot all by himself. Though this fable is a story about animals, it is an indirect way of criticizing influential people who have flaws in their character.

TORTOISE AGAINST OSINYI AND OTHER ANIMALS

Yow! Yow! Yow! Ajambene ekwum aja, yow!

The old woman, I'll sta Ajambene ekwu m aja, yow.

Mr. Elephant, I'll pound Ajambene ekwu m aja, yow

Mr. Lion, I'll squash Ajambene ekwu m aja, yow

Mr. Tiger, I'll flatten Ajambene ekwu m aja, yow!

Mr. Horse, I'll squeeze Ajambene ekwu m aja, yow!

Mr. Monkey, I'll pulp Ajambene ekwu m aja, yow!

Mr. Crocodile, I'll crush Ajambene ekwu m aja, Yow!

All the animals, I'll pulverize Ajambene ekwu m aja, yow!

Long, long time ago, animals and men lived together and worked together as neighbors and friends. In the village of Ekeoba, Osinyi, though old, was known as the woman who cooked the best ukwa. Every Eke Market day, all the animals gathered at Osinyi's house to help her pick ukwa. Each animal waited patiently until Osinyi put the pot of ukwa down from the fire with bare palms, rubbed those palms together, then poured out the ukwa into her basket to drain. The animals watched as she added red palm oil, then mixed thoroughly with a wooden spatula. Soon, individual portions were scooped into the oku (small clay bowls).

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>