This excerpt deals with the casting of uguri to determine the clan of Anioma community that caused the very problem that led to the exit of the fishes of Mmamu River.
It was later found out to be a popular clan in Anioma, and they had to cleanse the land of their abomination. It was later done, and the excerpt ushered in the beginning of a new year.
Excerpt 5
Igbo spiritualism is clear and has a distinguished vertical line of order. There is Chukwuokike whom the Igbo cosmology believes is the Alpha and Omega, He who created mankind and the universe. Chukwuokike is so big that he assigned messengers for different purposes.
Amadioha is the messenger of God that operates with thunder while Ajani Anioma is the messenger God assigned to protect and serve the people of Anioma.
Every community in Igbo land has their own Ajani and it is at their discretions to outline the pattern of holy rituals they observe or how they communicate with their own Ajani.
The practice is historic, believed to have been setup by the first Igbo to walk the planes of Aguleri and passed down from generations to generations.
The two diviners had already arranged their uguri to cast and hear from Ajani Anioma. The first cast was made and Dibia Ndukwu was tasked to speak the outcome.
“Akwa odi, akwa odi, iyi adi mma?” a rhetorical question, he looked at the uguri of AkajioforII and spoke the outcome.
“Akaete ndi mmiri okalakwu. Ndi Ichie, Ezu, Nnewanyi mmiri, nti odikwa? You have committed abomination, within the family, a clan committed abomination and those that committed the abomination still come in here and dine. They eat of the sacrifice made here and drink of the wine. There is anger and there will be price. I am Mmamu and I have left my place of dwelling because I can’t stand abomination among my children” they cast another and continued.
“There is anger and the anger shall consume what is left of you all; holiness is the covenant we made and thou shall be holy always. You have failed your own end of the bargain because I have been faithful and have done immensely what you all asked of me. I have fought and I have interceded; why taint us?” The two diviners looked up as everyone was quiet and could not find words.
There was bound to be fear any time diviners’ reveal ‘Akwa odi, akwa odi’. The term is used by diviners to indicate death shall fall upon a person or people. The elders don’t take it rightly; with age bracket of seventy and ninety; they have been around long enough to know what is at stake when diviners unravel or warn about death.
“You have heard from God through His messengers, what more do you ask?” Dibia Ndukwu asked.
“Which of the clan committed this abomination in question? We need to know so that we can task them with cleansing cost” Diokpa asked.
The two diviners nodded and cast their uguri again.
“Anioma has five clans; we shall make a cast to finding out the culprit. Cast the names of each clan to a single stick and bring them forth. Let Ajani reveal the culprit that we may sustain the effort” Akajiofor II directed.
Five elders went out and brought different five sticks and remarked them with each clan and handed them to Diokpa Uduogu who raised them up with a declaration.
“ Ajani, reveal the truth, any stick that dare lie should be caught to confess the truth” he dropped them on the ground and poured sand on them before taking it to Akajiofor II and Dibia Ndukwu.
The two Dibias continued with the divination until one stick was chosen to have committed the abomination. Dibia Ndukwu gave Diopka Udugo one of the sticks and said the stick was the culprit. The five witnesses confirmed it was Agbu clan.
Agbu is one of the most prominent clans in Anioma; they are known for travelling and coming back with massive wealth. Some had accused them of killing strangers and carting away their treasures and involving in money rituals. Their daughters had also been accused of abortion due to untamed sexual act with indecent men.
“We can confirm the abomination was committed by Agbu clan and we shall now proceed to knowing what it shall cost to cleanse the land. The cleansing shall happen immediately to ensure everything return to normal” the King said to the delight of others.
They all know, Ajani Anioma is a holy place that must always entertain righteous people; when unholy people stepped their feet, instead of attack, Ajani reveals itself by strange occurrence. Abominable people were advised to steer clear the shrine and should avoid eating a sacrifice offered in the shrine or to Ajani Anioma. The trigger was pulled by Ajani Anioma, because abominable persons were allowed into the shrine to dine and wine with righteous ones.
January 28th 1943, it was a new calendar year and Anioma seemed to have been restored as the problems for the past year were addressed. The rumor of missionaries coming to Anioma persisted and ears were put on the ground. The coming of missionaries would benefit some but due to the fear of repercussion, Anioma continued to be pessimistic.
Onukwube De Town Crier was the ears of the King of Anioma. He was a jobless man who relied on gifts from the King. The rumors about missionaries resurfaced with clearer narrative; schools would be built and the needy would be helped. The dawn had not broken properly when Onukwuebe left his home for the King’s palace. He was used to leaving early morning due to his role as a town crier. He must wake up in the darkest hour of the morning to sound his gong round the community and make announcements for the King or Anioma elders.
Before he got to the palace; it was already a blossomed dawn, he ran into the King’s palace while the King was about to enter into his closet after receiving fresh morning breeze. In his early eighties; he could still run and walk round the entire communities that make up Anioma with a gong.
Onukwube had no such luxury of time and comfort to come out and receive fresh breeze. He had rather spend his time in Udemba’s compound where he would drink ogogoro to stupor. On sighting the King as he walked on in; he approached him.
“Igwe!” He audibly called as the King stopped in his tread and turned to him.
“What brought you to my abode; tidings or ogogoro?” the King reeled a smile.
