A Trip to Eha-Amufu; Part 1

A Trip to Eha Amufu

Growing up in Ngwo was an absolute journey of discovery, especially living among native traditional men who had survived the war and perhaps witnessed the devastation caused by military shelling on an Iroko tree. They once introduced me to Ngwo mysticism, awakening a figurine on my behalf that ushered me into the Ngwo metaphysical world. It allowed me to explore what fate had in store for me through divination. Unfortunately, what fate had in store for me in this harsh world was not entirely clear, but it emphasized the importance of preserving valuable things. That's when I set out to become a modern-day custodian.

I took pride in my new path and became a guardian of valuable items in this seemingly godforsaken world. During my journey with my cultural instructor, Oji-Okwor, he unveiled the myths surrounding Ngwo and Eha-Amufu. He spoke of the ancestral paths our forebears took, referring to it as the "Ngwo dead men's path," the mysterious route taken by those who had departed for the great beyond. In my twenties, I found it challenging to believe everything he said, so I consulted my school mathematics teacher, Mr. Obi Okolo, a realist, who confirmed the existence of such beliefs. He explained that everything in this world has its place, whether physical, spiritual, or otherwise, but often our perceptions differ from reality. He emphasized that people create culture, and culture does not shape people.

I also sought my father's opinion, Onovo Ukwuani, who lacked formal education but had absorbed wisdom from esteemed figures in the Ngwo clan. He shared that Eha-Amufu was a dreaded place for the people of Ngwo, as travelers had reported encounters with the spirits of Ngwo's departed there. This revelation left me with mixed emotions, and I couldn't help but question the truth of what I had heard. Would a father deceive his own son? Whenever I visited the Roman Catholic Church at St. Mary's Ishi Okpoto, the visiting priest always debunked such mystical beliefs.

As fate would have it, I was selected to represent Obodoechina in the state essay writing competition, promoting rural development, to be held in Ehamufu. I couldn't help but smile, realizing that the universe had something in store for me. We embarked on a journey to a place my people feared to tread—an enclave where Ngwo's departed souls prepared for reincarnation and their journey to the great beyond.

Upon arrival, I was relieved not to witness anything unusual. Life in Eha-Amufu seemed just like any other village. However, one incident did occur that left me frightened, and that was the only thing I took back home with me.

To be continued...