The tears wouldn't stop falling. I was inconsolable. “But mama, I…I tried my best…and….”
“And what? Stop this noise and speak clearly so I can understand you.” Mama yelled at me, veins bulging on her neck. She was angry that someone made her only daughter cry. Once she saw my sad eyes and my lips curved downwards, she knew something had happened at the village square. I couldn't hide my feelings from her no matter how hard I tried.
I took a deep breath and wiped my eyes. “Aunty Hanni told us to form a large circle, put our hands on the waist of the person in front of us and dance from left to right. As the drummers started playing their drums, she asked us to sing the maidens’ quama song one by one.”
“Yes? Speak faster.”
I sniffed. “When it got to my turn, I sang the song but she stopped me halfway, pulled me out of the circle and called me a third rate singer—”
“What? Yeeee…that woman is finished! So you didn't finish the dance with them?”
“I couldn't. She told me to go back home.”
“Tamara, go and take your bath. Prepare for the maiden dance tomorrow. You will join your mates to dance and no one will dare to stop.” Mama ordered and I obeyed.
I was a fairly good singer and so were my friends, Ilo and Nunu. We had made a pact to dance at the same maiden dance and hopefully, find handsome suitors. It seemed our pact might not happen.
Aunty Hanni never liked my mother because it was said that during their maiden dance, my father chose Mama instead of her. Aunty Hanni and Mama had been at war with each other since then. This year, Eze put her in charge of the maidens' dance hence my exclusion from the dance.
The next morning, mama woke me up very early as the dark sky was clearing up to make way for sunrise. After she braided my hair, she poured a gold liquid-like oil on my palms and ordered me to massage it on my neck. “When you get to the village square, touch Hanni first and every other person who sings very well in your group, eh?”
“Yes, mama but what will happen when I do this?”
“You will meet your destiny and embrace it. I'm tired of this useless village. I think it is time for us to leave.”
“Oh. With papa?”
“Yes, if he wants to come.” That response made me pause for a moment.
“Get up, put on your sandals and let's go!”
The village square was almost filled up. All the residents are seated, enthusiastic to watch the maidens’ dance, an occasion held once every three years, to allow the youths to make fine marriage matches. The young ladies would practise singing and dancing sessions and make a final performance at the village square.
Three ladies are often selected by the majority and blessed by the Eze with gifts. Their families would also be named among the honourable in the village.
I saw my fellow maidens dressed in our colourful ebambe bodice and head gear, huddled in a group, laughing and chatting and making funny faces at the young, unmarried men in the crowd.
I looked around, searching for Aunty Hanni until I saw her whispering into the ears of the Eze before joining the maidens. “Go on! Do as I told you,” Mama said and pushed me towards the dance circle.
Aunty Hanni was instructing the maidens to form a circle when I hurried to her side and touched her arm. She froze for a second, turned slowly and glared at me. “What are you doing here? I said your voice is not good enough for Eze's ears. Go and find somewhere to sit and watch your friends sing and dance.”
The maidens stood and watched Aunty Hanni and I. Mama didn't prepare me for this part but I squared my shoulders and tipped my chin high. “Give me a chance to prove you wrong, Aunty. If I don't sing well, I'll forfeit any suitor that comes my way.”
I heard Ilo and Nunu's gasp. Aunty Hanni eyed and smiled wickedly. “Fine. Join the circle and face your disgrace.” I nodded, looked back and my eyes caught my mother's in the crowd. She nodded and raised two fingers. My eyes strayed to Ify and Anoma, the two beautiful singers among us.
These ladies would complete Mama's ritual and I would be accepted by everyone. I never liked the girls anyway, they were never nice to me. I moved towards them, smiled and touched their bare arms before joining Ilo and Nunu.
To be continued….
This story is inspired by the #dailyprompt word “third rate singer”. I hope you enjoy reading it.
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