Chapter 4: Ibere mi (my beginning) 4

After singing my oriki, my mom taught me the ways of a ram and a man called Alajo shomolu..... An hardworking Yoruba man.... who brought the idea of banking in Nigeria and Yoruba culture.

Then I aspired to be as hardworking as him..... because I also made him my role model.

A ram is diligent and ambitious.... Alojo somolu who hails from a neighbouring village, ijebu-musin. I love the man's diligence. I don't see any difference between the two of us. He's a man and.....I .... a woman in making.

I will never give up, though women in the society are not to be anything great.... just become a full time house-wife... that's it...even if she ever become great... people in the society will find ways to pull her down.

Pounded yam with assorted Egusi soup was made for dinner tonight. Anytime my mom cooks, My siblings and I must stay in the kitchen with her... even if we are just watching how she cooks or help with adding seasonings and clean up the kitchen after which she was done.

We can't just watch, because we know that our mom will ask questions about the meals she prepared, so we asks questions if we weren't clear about anything.

If you don't do any of this things..... that is a gateway to esu palace.... you won't eat for a week or work till you are light.

As I watched my mom pounding the yam with mortar and pestle. I marveled at the energy she uses with so much grace and elegance. She looked like a goddess....She joked with saying: " Ni ọjọ kan iwọ yoo ṣe eyi fun emi ati ẹbi tuntun rẹ " She laughed at my expression....her laughter was so beautiful. I felt heat growing in my Cheeks in embarrassment.

What she said is true, I will pound yam for my mom and cook delicious assorted Egusi soup for her.I said amen to that.

My mom is a caring woman, she cooks alot of food.... not only for her family but her foster family.....the villagers.

In Yoruba land, we are family with different family.... but we come from the same source.... Ọlọrun created us all in his likeness.

When I asked her why she shares with other villagers, she tells me " Ọ̀tún wẹ òsì, òsì wẹ ọ̀tun, lọwọ́ fi ńmọ́. /

The right hand washing the left hand and the left hand washing the right hand make both hands clean.

Reciprocate acts of kindness: we all win when everyone gives; everyone has something to give others."

I understood that was right because Ọlọrun will reward everyone according to their doings.