Works all the time! 🙂
Tag: dailyprompt
Would I look between my legs?
Where I come from, there is a belief that if you want to see a ghost, you need only go to a marketplace in the dead of night—bend over and look between your legs, and voilà! You will be visually transported to the realm of wandering souls in the marketplace. This action supposedly even reveals those in the market who are actually of the spirit world—but heaven forbid you are noticed by one of these specters before you get back up… you never get back up.
Now, the first time I heard of this, I shrugged it off with a “Yeah, rrrright!”—but as superstitious a belief as this may be, I would never try it!
Another “cultural” superstition in certain parts of my country is that of the Osu caste system—a traditional practice in Igboland, characterized by social segregation and restrictions on interaction and marriage with a group of individuals known as Osu (Igbo: outcast) (Wikipedia). Igbo families believe that marrying an Osu only brings bad luck and, as a result, they frown upon it. Some families have actually gone as far as disowning their own for doing so.
As an uncle of mine, of Igbo descent, once said when he was asked if he would allow his child to marry someone of such background:
“I count myself to be a modern man, able to see past our local superstitions. But you see, on this matter… no be me start this cultural belief, and so no be me go break am.”
(He is basically saying that he’d rather not question the belief and therefore would not allow his child to marry into such a family.)
Like my uncle, I, too, see myself as one who has risen above superstitious beliefs, and that’s because I won’t dabble in them in the first place—not even when it comes to a lucky rabbit’s foot or itchy palms that supposedly indicate money is on its way.
I am the walrus🎵🎶
“Just kidding! I bear no resemblance to the walrus—just thought I’d entertain you while you’re here. 🙂 I, for one, see myself more as an elephant, and for good reason: An elephant never forgets!
Funny as it may sound, my love for elephants began in my teens. I had watched Disney’s Jungle Book countless times before, but one day, the phrase hit me differently: “An elephant never forgets!” Maybe I was studying for an exam and wanted to embody that persona—who knows? But from that moment, the words and the idea of the elephant stuck with me.
My love for these magnificent creatures only grew when my aunt gifted me a silver waist chain adorned with elephant charms—the most beautiful piece of jewelry I ever owned… until I lost it. After that, I found myself searching for a replacement, and I was drawn to an ankle chain with the same elephant motif. Why the elephant? I wondered. It wasn’t until I wrote My Honey Bee… To My Daughter, a piece about the essence of the honeybee, that I revisited my fascination with elephants.
It turns out elephants are more than just creatures with keen memories. They grieve their dead, symbolize strength and wisdom, and in many cultures, they represent luck, prosperity, and leadership. Among the Ashanti people of West Africa, elephants are believed to be the reincarnated souls of their great leaders... Too much? 🙂
Now, I’m “playing with the idea“ of getting a tattoo—you can probably guess what it will be. 😉
… To me, the elephant embodies peace, wisdom, strength, loyalty, majesty, family, culture, and longevity”- and I am she.
Beast without Burden
From Africa to Asia
with strengths unquestioned
… are we good?
Hi! How’s it going? Are we doing okay?
Did the world ‘as we know it’ finally end? What’s the situation on global warming? Has AI finally taken over?
How is our baby girl? Are you and Sena still best of friends? Any grandkids?
I truly hope you’re in a good place and time right now. If you’re reading this, it means you’re of sound mind and body (I hope) at a hundred—congratulations! Please write back and share the regimen that has kept you going so long. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to fill me in on the global stock market… should I be selling my Tesla stock?😧
NH3 …Think Chemistry
What is your middle name? Does it carry any special meaning/significance?
This one goes out to all the science geeks in the house! 🥳
My middle name is Amoniya- and while it may sound like the Chemical compound Ammonia at first glance, its actually a different pronunciation with 4 syllables instead of 3: “Ah-Mo-Ni-Ya”
… and it means “person without jealousy”.
Wetin…?
Hello! And if you haven’t experienced it yet, welcome to a quick intro to Nigerian Pidgin language! 🙂
The word “Wetin” is a Nigerian Pidgin word that means “what.” For example, “Wetin dey happen?” means “What is going on?”
Now, my mom—who also happens to be my housemate (Love you, Mama!)—is the absolute worst at minding her own business. Don’t get me wrong, she’s not a gossip… who am I fooling? Aren’t we all, to a certain degree? 😉 In these parts, people who have a knack for giving the best updates on other people’s business are called “Gist masters” or “Amebos.” But I digress!
In my 20s and even my 30s, it was cool when Mommy dearest wanted to know what I was up to or what I was wearing out. But these days? COME ON, MAMA!
I walk out of the kitchen, and if I so much as make a fist as I leave, she goes, “Wetin you dey carry for hand?” If I’m chewing, “Wetin you dey chop?” Even right now, as I’m typing this message, she could probably walk into my room and ask, “Wetin you dey do?” And in my head, I’m thinking, “Woman, I don’t owe you an explanation!” But, of course, as a good old-fashioned Nigerian daughter, I have to give an answer—even if it’s not always the full truth—just so we can MOVE ON.
Now, the word “Wetin” has even more cool variations, like “Wetin dey happen?” or “Wetin dey shele?” Or just plain and simple “Wetin dey?!” So never look down on that term, ’cause it’s cool! 🙂
To my younger self…
Daily writing prompt
How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?
To my younger self: That dream came true. You are a single woman…
Looking back, the desire for connection, a soulmate, and that fairytale happy ending B.S. only led to drama and smoke screens. Most scenes ended with the classic “It’s not you, it’s me” speech—wrong frequencies of tribe, class, or religion.
I sure could pick them, right? 🙂
This cycle ran from my 20s through my mid-30s. And then, I met her. We crossed paths just as I was about to check into heartbreak hotel once again—well, not so much heartbreak this time, as I had already given up on the relationship and was ready to walk away. And then she appeared, full of beauty and charm, completely enchanting me.
The first time I told my mom about her, she said something profound:
“You’ve spent all this time running through failed love stories. Now she’s here, and you have the perfect chance at love. I pray you do right by her.”
That was the moment I realized—my past wasn’t a curse. It was a path leading me to my true love story.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned—among the many lessons she has brought into my life—it’s the discipline of loving myself first and enough. That way, even when love isn’t reciprocated, I remain whole. I am good enough for me—strong enough to know I deserve better and wise enough to move the hell on.
To my younger self: That dream came true. You are a single woman… and the proud mother of the most incredible 8-year-old—the kind of love money could never buy. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
A very big “IF” on the autobiography!
Daily writing prompt
You’re writing your autobiography. What’s your opening sentence?
Should I ever experience a narcissistic overload, therefore attempting to write my own autobiography and chances are, neverrrrr – my very first line would be: I might regret this… but what the heck!…
Chatrooms, Hybrid theory and beyond
Looking back at the early 2000s, it was a blast with punk music and cool chatrooms. Leaving home for Ife was memorable, even if I wasn’t as wild as I thought!
Daily writing prompt
Describe a phase in life that was difficult to say goodbye to.
The early 2000’s when punk and alternative rock put you on a natural high and yahoo chatrooms didn’t have so many “crazies”… The world had started shrinking and you could ACTUALLY make a friend or two from across the many seas. I did…
In 2005, I had my first experience leaving the Lagos nest to live alone, wild and free in the city of Ife. Who am I fooling?! I wasn’t that wild, but it was fun and unforgettable. Food was cheap, the air was clean and my then job had me chilling half the time… I made a few mistakes there though and so for that reason I would relive that time in order to correct few decisions of mine.
Seeking understanding
Daily writing prompt
If you could be someone else for a day, who would you be, and why?
I would choose to spend a day living the life of people I DO NOT understand in the hope that after a day of walking in their shoes I would empathize… or not! 😉
Festival King 