Date: Monday, June 16, 2008
Page: 40
Quote: "Ekwefi," she said, "is it true that when people are grown up, fire does not burn them?"
This quote evoked lovely memories. When you are a child, you ask many questions that you will never remember. You may ask silly questions or meaningful ones, but whatever the inquiry it is still a valid question. I thought that Ezinma's question was sweet, for she was fascinated at how her mother could lift a pot with her bare hands. She inquires that Nwoye's mother dropped her pot of hot soup the other day and broke it on the floor. Her mother absentmindedly mentioned that when people grew up fire did not burn them. The conversation went on to Enzima's top eye twitching and "seeing something."
Date: Monday, June 16, 2008
Page: 48
Quote: "I think she will stay. They usually stay if they do not die before the age of six."
Enzima was an Ogbanje. In order for her to live, she had to find her iyi-uwa that tied her to the spirit world. If she did not, she would be constantly reborn by the mother. She would either die still born or young. An interesting thing about an Ogbanje is that when you mutilated one when it died it became scarred. When the child was born again they would bare the marks. Enzima's mother Ekwefi was speaking to the Chielo. Chielo was the priestess of Agbala, and the Oracle of the hills and caves. Chielo thought Enzima would stay for Ogbanjes usually die before the age of six. Enzima was the love of Ekwefi's life, and she wished with all her heart that this one child may live.
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