THE STAFF OF IJEH
Be still!' Mama said. A woman should not be heard but seen
Nwankwo shall talk, he is a man, the braver seed
Adorn his words with your best tool; beauty and grace
Smile,you living ornament, let your joy show on your face
Nwankwo shall talk, he is a man, the braver seed
Adorn his words with your best tool; beauty and grace
Smile,you living ornament, let your joy show on your face
When shall I speak? These words are stuck in my throat
Do I sit still and watch or do I revolt?
No! Mama would worry about my future
I'm supposed to be still to attract a suitor
Do I sit still and watch or do I revolt?
No! Mama would worry about my future
I'm supposed to be still to attract a suitor
I shall talk to my brother Nwankwo after the moonlight dance
The ladies flock around him now, each hoping to get a chance
Their breasts , the size of unripe mangoes
They all want to be his bride, such high hopes!
The ladies flock around him now, each hoping to get a chance
Their breasts , the size of unripe mangoes
They all want to be his bride, such high hopes!
The bravest and finest youth of my town
And if in two market days he finds the staff,he gets the crown
The staff of Ijeh, Only the brave men dare seek it
I know the routes,I wish to colour my feet
And if in two market days he finds the staff,he gets the crown
The staff of Ijeh, Only the brave men dare seek it
I know the routes,I wish to colour my feet
Mama screamed 'abomination!',Papa laughs it off
I need not be told it ends as a thought
I hope Nwankwo is not too drunk and tired tonight
He has to listen to my plans for twomorrow's fight
I need not be told it ends as a thought
I hope Nwankwo is not too drunk and tired tonight
He has to listen to my plans for twomorrow's fight
I have studied the weakness of his rivals
He listens to me. He must make it to the finals
The staff calls out to me. I'm not allowed to join the race
But I shall sneak out with the men in two market days
He listens to me. He must make it to the finals
The staff calls out to me. I'm not allowed to join the race
But I shall sneak out with the men in two market days
The day of the fight. The square is filled with men and women
Mothers and Fathers with their naked children
Nwankwo would win
He would win for me
Mothers and Fathers with their naked children
Nwankwo would win
He would win for me
Look, Udoka,the son of Nweke the hunter, is here
"Smile!" Papa said but not too much. He is almost near
I frown, Udoka with the empty brain shall not marry me
I know what I want. Let me be!
"Smile!" Papa said but not too much. He is almost near
I frown, Udoka with the empty brain shall not marry me
I know what I want. Let me be!
My mind screams but my mouth stills
Ugonna,the village teacher is smart and handsome
I shall marry him,
After I must have found the staff of Ijeh!
This is a piece that tells the story of a Nigerian girl's aspiration for more than just marriage. Her need to participate in 'activities reserved for the male gender'. It tells a story of a young girl restricted from reaching her true potentials because of her gender; that did not stop her anyway and it shouldn't stop you either.
To all the young girls out there who still think that just because they are female, they should restrict or limit their need for power and wealth and only aspire to marry, this piece is for you! Break free!
Ugonna,the village teacher is smart and handsome
I shall marry him,
After I must have found the staff of Ijeh!
This is a piece that tells the story of a Nigerian girl's aspiration for more than just marriage. Her need to participate in 'activities reserved for the male gender'. It tells a story of a young girl restricted from reaching her true potentials because of her gender; that did not stop her anyway and it shouldn't stop you either.
To all the young girls out there who still think that just because they are female, they should restrict or limit their need for power and wealth and only aspire to marry, this piece is for you! Break free!
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