What a day... (personal blog)

Sunday 24-01-10 8:12am

As members of the house get ready for church & evacuate the premises... I still lie there in bed lazy!!! I finally get up, take a shower and wander off into the streets of Gbagbaa Apeenega, Adekaa in Benue State. Went to visit a few 'acquintances' and then was invited to wander further into experiencing the 'normal' sunday morning of the typical TIV man in Gboko. Walking through the well tarred road, we cut off into another street well ridden with erosion down the arms of the road. After about a couple of winding turns through houses, with naked children screaming at the top of their voices begging for attention and elderly women laden with age just staring into space, we arrived at our destination.

It was about 9:32am when we got here & I must confess, I was amazed at the amount of people present at this location. More amazing was that I was told there are about three or four more locations with the same population density at this particular time in Gboko too. Even more amazing is the fact that the age bracket at this location was between 3 - 60 years of age. The place was bubbling with life with local songs being played, some people took the time to display their wares (clothings) and all types of food was also being sold at this place. People from all works of life were here too and of course 90 percent of them are natives (though Tivs mixed with Idomas and Igalas). Transporters, masons, bankers, businessmen, traders etc. busied themselves discussing and chatting in whatever local dialect their audience(s) could understand. It was one big mini marketplace. Curious to know what would draw such amount of people here, I noticed there was only one thing they all had in common...BURUKUTU!!!

Each person,either sitting or standing, had a calabash and they were enjoying it with gusto. In my curiosity I asked to be served some. Seriously it really wasnt that remarkable. Sour taste (like fermented corn) and served in a calabash to give it that fresh taste. Its made out of ground guinea-corn. Its then mixed in water and some additives added before it is then sieved off. It is taken with a lot of 'variations' available on demand. Bean Cake (Akara), Fried Yam with pepper sauce, Irish potato (with pepper sauce), garden egg with groundnut paste, Kpomo (in spicy peppered sauce), moi-moi etc.

Attempts to get voluntary pictures proved abortive so I made do with waiting till all attention shifted and I took a quick candid shot!!! Well the main shocker came after I left the venue. As soon as I got to a viewing centre to see a couple of movies...I dozed off!!! I couldnt believe that a whole me wey neva sleep for days go fit crash like dat!!! But, as usual, despite the intensity of the sleep I still maintained the less that two hours sleep limit. I thought I was just tired only to find out my companion also suffered the same fate only that mine was better. At least I had breaks in between, he slept for two hours thirty minutes straight!!!

I had to wake him up to indicate that I was starting to feel empty again and then we changed location to have lunch. We both had pounded yam with native Tiv soup and 'rats'. As soon as I saw the rats I opted for alternative meat. It was later that I was made to understand that rats too was a local delicacy. As for me...i no fit chop am!!! Well, all these experiences have made me understand the way of life of these people. Apart from being a 'sedative' that causes them to have maximum rest on sundays, it is rich in nutrients giving rise to a healthy eating habit which can improve the general well being of the individual. It also boosts the products of the reproductive system thus giving rise to the high fertility rate enjoyed by the Tivs.

Well I do hope to learn more ans they are a people rich in culture and heritage and as usual...i wont hesitate to bring you feedback...

P.S. Did I mention their babes are 'cheerful givers'...!!!???...I don catch one oh!!!...watch awt!!...lolz