Still Owing Me Goodbye
Introducing “Still Owing Me Goodbye” – a captivating novel that takes you on a journey through the eyes of young Ẹhizoya, the main character of the story. This book is a heartwarming and deeply personal account of his childhood experiences, set against the backdrop of traditional African values and village life.
Growing up in Idubhuesọgban village, Ẹhizoya was deeply attached to his grandmother, a strong and resilient Esan woman who taught him the true meaning of endurance, forgiveness, love, and understanding. Through her guidance, he learned to navigate the complexities of village life, including the joyous New Year festival and the exhilarating masquerade dance.
“Still Owing Me Goodbye” is more than just an autobiography; it’s a tribute to the power of family, culture, and community. The book is rich in details about African traditions and values, offering a unique perspective on a way of life that is slowly fading away.
This book is perfect for readers who want to immerse themselves in a story that is both heart-warming and informative. It’s a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of holding onto our roots, no matter how far we may go.
Chapter one
“Kukurukuuu”, our big rooster, crowed as usual, and it nearly put me off my sleep. My eyes were neither open nor closed. In trying to go back to sleep, I rolled back and forth over both sides of my small wooden bed, covered with a mat.
The room was partially dark and warm, the sleepless rats were busy under my bed in search of food. The sound of Grandma’s feet gradually died out on the floor. It was still dark. Several birds were whistling from the treetops near our house. I slowly dozed off again.
When I opened my eyes and struggled out of bed, there were no more signs of Grandma’s presence. I quickly left the room, thinking she might have gone to the market. The day was now bright, yet my eyes were still heavy with sleep.
I yawned and stretched my body like a little goat just rescued from a pool of cold water. It was when I looked at the ground that I realized everywhere had been neatly swept as I slept.
Grandma’s bare footprints were everywhere in the compound, wide and long, unlike my five-year-old feet. In our small kitchen, made of corrugated iron sheets, a faint flame burned, evidence that grandma had been there.
Our village was on a highland, so I could see the rising sun, round and glorious. The sun’s rays, like the colors of the rainbow, flashed across the village. As men hurried to their farms and women were getting ready for the Uromi main market.
It was the nature of Idubhuesọgban Village, one of the nine villages that made up the Amedokhian Community in Uromi, Esan land. Historically, the Esan people trace their origins to the ancient kingdom of Benin. Esan is presently the second largest ethnic group in Edo state, in the south-south geographical zone of Nigeria.