Must Read: Kumalo

Episode 6 years ago

Must Read: Kumalo

UGUAJI FOREST-MID NIGHT

Initiation ceremony; members of the hawks confraternity are dancing around a burn fire on a cleared platform in the middle of the forest, they are surrounded by tress and shrubs and below the elevated plateau is a running stream. The stream must be crossed before accessing the plateau upon which is the shrine in the wilderness, the initiation ground.

Sentries are strategically position from the beginning of the forest entrance to the bank of the stream. The sentries are armed with bull dogs or a 7 and a torch light. The number 7 is the code for a portable axe. The sentries are replaced hourly to avoid anyone falling asleep on duty.

The sentries hide within shrubs or they climb up a tree so as to be hidden from those approaching the wilderness but they can see anyone approaching in the dark. Once an approaching person is about ten yards to the sentries position he lets out the cry ‘who goes there’? The person approaching must reply ‘Ahoy’! Else the bulldog will bark.

And when the bulldog barks, somebody go die!
That is how it works. Any anomaly observed by the sentry must be reported quickly to the initiation ground lord for immediate regulation.

Four new civilians were lying blind folded on the floor of the ground. They wore only boxers and their bodies glistered in the dark reflecting the ray from the burning fire. The men were in a jolly mood dancing and chanting.

If you sabi dance o!
Hayaya!

Make you dance am well o!

Hayaya!

If you sabi hammer!

Hayaya!

Make you hammer well o!

Hayaya!

If you sabi kosa!

Hayaya!

Make you kosa well o!

Hayaya!

Because anything you be o!

Na your own!

Anything you be o!

Na your own!

If you like be axeman!

Na your own!

If you like be bucket!

Na your own!

If you like be 2.2!

Na your own!

If you like be eiye!

Na you own!

Stanley was leading the sale and his boys were taking the chorus. After several songs, Stanley came to the center of the circle and called the forum to order.

Hawks of the sky! He chanted
Higher! Higher! Higher!

The chorus
Hawks of the sky! He shouted
Higher! Higher! Higher! The chorus
Yes! You are welcome to another night of jolly and tinini! As you can see, we are growing!

We have four new rats to tinini tonight!

He started a short song
We are going higher day by day!

The hawks are going higher day by day why not join us!

We are going higher day by day!

The hawks are going higher day by day why not join us! The chorus.

Where is Egbe please? Stanley asked. I can’t see him here tonight, it is already 2.00AM.

The men looked among themselves
He is not here me lordy! Someone said
Egbe is not here tonight? Stanley asked no one in particular
Maybe he is sick! Another person said.

Sick of what? Stanley asked. We were together at Nkutu ume this evening. Well, that is by the way!

Egbe has Forked up again o! We went for a hit to eliminate those Jew men that disgraced him weeks ago! It was his responsibility to silence the guys especially the one that beat him up but after shooting at the guys, the younger brother died instantly but the main guy was still breathing but bleeding profusely. I told Egbe to finish the guy off with his bulldog or using 7 to chop off his head but he insisted he wanted the guy to die a slow and painful death! I tell am say all did na die! He no gree! He brushed the guy severally on the head and we left the guy to die in the pool of his blood! It was his call, not mine! So I had to follow his decision.

Now the guy did not die! He is currently receiving treatment under police surveillance at the UNTH.

The Police and the man’o’war will be after us now. Is vicious here! He suddenly asked.
Vicious, the man ‘o’ war! Come forward.

Me Lordy! Vicious answered and stepped into the center.

Vicious, what is the man ‘o’ war saying about this issue at hand.

Vicious; real name Henry Edozie is an ND 2 mass communication student. He is nineteen years old and an only child. His father is the commissioner for works in Ebonyin state.

Our presido said it is a case of two cults clash.

He said four men died. The two brothers and two unknown soldiers. He also said that that the clash is between us the BP. Vicious said.

Which kind nonsense talk be that? Stanley asked. Where did your preside get that kind of information from?

I don’t know me lordy! Vicious answered.

It’s a lie! He is giving you guys’ false information because he does not trust you.

That guy is a war veteran so we must be wary of him. I am sure he told you guys to report any suspicious thing or people to him abi? Stanley asked.

Exactly me lordy!

We need to move in on the guy at UNTH! We need to finish him off! He knows Egbe facially and can be used by the police to hunt us. And I can remember that stupid Egbe calling my real name instead of my bush name at the scene.
Egbe is not here tonight! He is supposed to be here! He is supposed to follow us for the UNTH mission this morning.

Meanwhile, vicious and Dagger will accompany me to UNTH in the morning. We will go with food flasks as if we are his friends. Once we see him face to face, we will silence him with the pillow or any other weapon within reach in the hospital. I will have my bulldog with me just in case things get out of hand. Dagger where you dey? Stanley called out.

A lanky fellow came out with his black trousers, black T shirt and blue beret.
Me lordy! He greeted.

Are you good to go? Stanley asked him.

I am ever gallant! Me lordy! He replied bouncing on his feet.

I trust you Dagger! You no de slack! Stanley commended
Where is the ground Lord? Stanley asked.

I de here o! I dey arrange wood for the fire!
Some one answered from behind the circle of men. He came forward with a bundle of sticks which he dumped into the burning fire.

Ngwa! Ngwa! Take care of these rats! Stanley said and left the circle center to light up a wrap of igbo.

Scatter is the ground lord. He is in charge of the initiation of new entrants and the general preparation of the wilderness prior to any meeting like tonight’s.

He went and kicked the first body lying blind folded on the ground.

Stand up! He commanded,
The young man stood up
Wetin be your name? Scatter asked
Paschal! The young man answered
Who bring you come here? He asked
No body sir! Paschal replied.

So na only you waka come? Scatter asked
Yes sir!

You dey lie! Scatter said slapping him across the face
Paschal fell over but quickly got up and stood backing Scatter

Turn around! Scatter commanded.

What is your full name?

Pascal Alozie sir!

Where are you from?

I am from Nkwere in Imo state sir! Paschal was shaking fearfully.

So why do you want to fly with us? Scatter asked
I love your people and their swag on campus!
They are the most powerful and I also like your colour! I have been toasted by other runs but I prefer the hawks! Paschal said.

Una hear am? Scatter asked out loud. He said he preferred the Hawks!

The men in the circle clapped for paschal whistling and making cat cries.

Oya rugged this man! Rugged this man! Scatter commanded as he jumped out of the circle himself.

The circle of men closed in on Paschal with fresh canes cut from the forest tress in their hands .They flogged him all over his bare body.
Paschal screamed in pain, he tried to run but was kicked back into the circle; he fell to the ground rolling as canes rained on him severally until the floggers became tired and their canes had been reduced to mere short sticks.

However two men were positioned to ensure the new initiate does not fall into the fire.

The remaining rats were given similar treatment with fresh canes already cut in the evening and piled up by the river bank by the ground lord. They were later given the oath of allegiance and secrecy and welcomed to the fold by every member present. They were thought how to claw and greet a fellow Hawk.

The next morning, the new recruits were made to fly their beret on clean shaven head and walk round the school premises together. Who no go, no go know!