Chapter 5: Rituals and Signs

Baba Afolabi squint look me. "Chinedu, I fit follow you go, but make I talk am straight: I no fit promise say e go work."

He talk am like warning—no sugarcoat. For old people's mouth, truth na bitter leaf, but e dey cure sick belle. He dey look me deep, like say he dey try see wetin dey hide inside my head.

I quick reply, "Baba, as long as you follow me, e dey okay, even if e no work."

I talk with all my heart, no shame. My voice crack, but I no care. For this kind matter, na action fit save person.

Baba Afolabi tell me make I go bring two pairs of red broomsticks from the family altar. Then he fetch water from him well, I follow am waka.

He point go family altar—small clay stand wey dem use for prayer. The broomsticks red from palm oil, na sign say e dey use for strong things. He fill old enamel basin with well water, e dey whisper prayer as he dey fetch am. For our place, well water na power, e dey pure.

Curiosity dey worry me, I ask why e need the water. Baba Afolabi face no show anything. "You go soon understand."

He no gree talk. Old men like am dey keep secret pass calabash wey never break. Na so I follow am, my mind dey turn like pepper soup for pot.