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ENGLISHMAN IN BENIN CITY,1981 (Part Six)
Rufus was almost done eating the plate of food abandoned by Obaseki, and was washing his hand, still chewing the last piece of the goat meat. Then to my amazement, we saw Obaseki as he returned, walking through the door, straight into the buka. He looked dazed, as if he was walking in his sleep. He hesitated briefly, before making directly for our table. Dede Mabiaku took one look at him, and said, “Dis man don shack very bad Igbo.” (“This man looks like he has been smoking pot.”)
ReDoMi
Life is simple yet complicated in the ReDoMi civilization.
How do you say ReDoMi?
The vowels and consonants of the RedoMi people are so simple that all you have to do is open or close your lips to pronounce their words.
The consonants are especially straightforward. They contain no strong or forces sounds, not even a threatening hiss of the ZZZZ is allowed. That is too much of a snake strike for a people of the infinite dimension. Only the gentle “s” and “sh” are allowed into this linguistic tone.
ENGLISHMAN IN BENIN CITY, 1981 (Part Seventeen)
I was already tipsy when Gina screamed.
But the performance on the stage continued as if nothing was happening. Obaseki got up and went into the ushers’ chamber. I tried really hard to see what was happening at the other end of the arena, to get an idea of what was happening to Gina. I really couldn’t see her. But because Joshua, who was assaulting Gina, was wearing a white suit, he was relatively visible, next to Gina, who, going by what she wore during the day, was in a red gown. But it appeared that Gina was already on the floor, and Joshua was kicking her, as she continued to scream while it seemed he continued to hit her.
Dad, I’m leaving. Bye now.
Daughter: “Dad, I’m leaving. Bye now.”
Me: “Where are you going?”
Daughter: “Home. Have you forgotten?”
Me: “Forgotten what?”Daughter: “Dad, I’m leaving. Bye now.”
Me: “Where are you going?”
Daughter: “Home. Have you forgotten?”
Me: “Forgotten what?”
Iya Oyo
They gave us an assignment when I was an undergraduate taking a Yoruba class.
We were asked to find five proverbs on mental illness.
I was in luck because Iya Oyo and Baba Oyo were visiting us in Ile Ife at that time and I found her at the back of the house, lounging.
That was easy, I thought.
