Took Over Terror's Baggage

It all started in the year 1978, on a bright severe harmattan weather day. Many people found it hard to take their bath because of the cold weather.

It was moderately cloudy with dew which made it difficult to see more than few metres distance in front. Although the sun had came out early, it was covered in the harmattan cloud making the day looked like it's going to rain upon the world.

The wind blew gently, whistling lightly like the humming of Ghosts. It blew on the membrane of people's eyes causing it to sting and bloodshot red. I even wondered wether someone had sprayed the world with powdered pepper.

Most people's faces and body were white and scaly like someone who had rubbed a faint white cosmetic powder. Some even looked like ghosts. A situation which can be avoided with small body lotions. Amusing, wasn't it?

An artisan, Welder, was working by the roadside in a local area of Saje, in Ẹgba Kingdom. One could hear the sound of his harmer from a long distance, which later switched to the blasting sound of welding machine.

At the Welder's workshop was a little shed close by, under which sat an elderly man together with several people.

The elderly man's name was Kásúmù. He sat on a plastic chair, made of iron frame, at the center while others form a half moon in front of him. I was looking on near by, at the back of the old man. He had summoned this special meeting and insisted that I must attend. "You will understand at the end of the day why you should be in attendance ....." Elder Kásúmù had said mysteriously, when I enquired about the meeting.

I knew few of the people at the gathering. Kòró, Balóṣà, Ológbojò, and Màmá Olóbì.

I have nothing to fear from these people. I only knew them casually in the Kingdom through deferent circumstances. They were not a threat, from my secret knowledge of them. I will be telling you about this later.

Suddenly, those sitting adjacently to the old man jumped up from their seats and scattered like grains flung angrily away. Without waiting to verify what happened, others in the assembly also joined them in the madness.

It was too abrupt and frightening. Elder Kásúmù somehow fell off his chair and knocked his head on a nearby pole. He cried out in pain.

The only person who remained on his seat was Ológbojò. Of course, why should I run without seeing what is chasing me. I pitied the old man and went to help him up on to his seat. Ológbojò was indifferent, as if what's going on around was none of his business.

Everyone started shouting incoherently. Eventually we are able to understand what had caused the pandemonium, when someone pointed at something, a distance away from the place. It was then that Ológbojò and the rest of us turned to look at a very big snake which was slithering in our direction. When the snake was a few distance away from Ológbojò it raised it's head ready to strike him. However, before it could do so, Ológbojò moved like lightening. He dashed forward like a gale of wind and grabbed it's neck. I've never seen such a big Phyton in my life.

The fight that followed can not be described. Ológbojò overpowered the big snake at last. This was not strange because he was not an ordinary man. Aside from everything, he was a renowned Hunter, known throughout the local area and beyond the Kingdom. He acquired his nickname, Ológbojò as a result of his prowess in hunting and not by being a masquerades priest. Many people did not even know his real name.

Surprisingly the phyton turned out to be a magical snake. It actually spoke up like human, with a rough ethereal voice, like the local masquerades, pleading for mercy. We were surprised at this miraculous turn of event, as we watch the drama unfolded before us.

It's like the phyton was reciting a chant in a foreign language.

"Mighty Cult Priest hear my plead

Don't kill me Mighty Cult Priest,

I'm an errant not my fault Mighty Priest."

Those were the literal translation of it's chant.

Before we can even started to react, the weather had changed, as if there's going to be a heavy rain down pore. One could also heard rumbling as if thunder will descend any time. Ológbojò's eyes had became bloodshot. He radiated indescribable aura like God of War! He looked fearful and taller. No one would dear move near him at this time. He shook in blatant rage. Eventually he considered, and flung the phyton away to the other side of the road like a useless rag. It's whole event was amazing to watch, if not for the severity of the situation .....

Everywhere was deadly silent. If you dropped a needle you will easily hear the sound. Everyone were looking at him fearfully and shaken. The Phyton disappeared immediately and the weather returned back to normal, as before.

Ológbojò turned to Elder Kásúmù where he stood and some other people who were visibly shaken. They looked at each other for some time. It seemed they were speaking to each other. After reaching a tacit agreement, he turned to my side and looked at me briefly, smilingly, before he turned around and left. I was surprised. Why was any of this my business? I inwardly caused.

Elder Kásúmù turned to the crowd, " Everyone listen to me. The landed property which some people were coveting is not for sale nor owned by those parading themselves as the owners. The person that owns the land must never hear from you again. Henceforth, stop having ideas about it or else face the consequences of yours greediness!" He then turned around to face me. "Johnson, follow me. We have valuable things to do today."

Can I refuse to follow him? In the first instance, he was the one who invited me to the place and he hadn't told me the reason for the invitation. If I wanted to know the reason then I must comply. I therefore stood up from where I had sat during the whole saga and follow him. We crossed to the other side of the road, where the python had came from. Why that place? I asked myself intrigued.

There was a large Apẹ tree along a foot path leading to the landed property which Elder Kásúmù pointed out to be the land being talked about.

"Johnson, this is where we are going. There is no more secret. Your Ancestors were the ones that owned these acres of land and within it was the portal to a few secret worlds. The secret of why your ancestors bear the title of 'Ọmọ Owú' lie here. Ológbojò was your father's blood friend, just as your Ancestors and his were from their Origin. I will be showing you some things today. You must pay close attention to all the marks and codes that I will be explaining later. I'm at the end of my rope already. I was fortunate to still be alive till now, if not, those foolish children of dogs would have sold off this sacred shrine. Were you asleep?" I answered that, "I'm well awake."

"Okay, that would be for the best." Elder Kásúmù proceeded to show me many things within the forested land as he explained the secrets behind them and how to secure it's treasures. Along the way, we came across some plants and ancient trees. He patiently explained there usefulness and preparations. Before we knew it we've covered the whole boundaries of the land. By the time we came out it was evening. Elder Kásúmù seemed to be not tied as I expected, after this round of excursion.

When we came out he warned me of many things and made me promised to pursue the assignment he gave me when we were within the forested land, without any delay. "Johnson, ..... delay is dangerous!" Elder Kásúmù looked me straight in the eyes and I understood what he meant. While they were at their business, I took my leave.