Leaving boarding school and just graduating from senior secondary school, Nana is the second son of the High Chief Priest Okija, the Totogbemui of Ndama, which means the mouthpiece of the gods Ndama. High Chief Priest Okija is seconded to the Igwe Ndamani which means the king of Ndamani kingdom. Nnana's elder brother Chinedu was the second child of the four children which comprises of male and female born by the great Chief Priest. Chinedu, the young priest, used to tell Nnana, who is the last born of the Okija, about the revolvement in the shrine as usual, but Nnana didn't want to leave such a life and always told his elder brother that he was not interested. “You better wake up from this dream because PaPa will not take it likely with you if he hears about all this your behavior towards your lineage “ Chinedu warned him bitterly and told him that it was their father that instructed him to tell him the ways of the oracle but Nnana will not agree to this because he has different dreams and foresight.
His mother, Ni Okija, always warned him that Ndama, the gods of the Ndamani kingdom, hasn't spared anyone from their history who ran away from his duty to serve the gods, that running away is a death sentence, and always tells Nnana that his father must not hear all his rubbish.
Nana, after a deep soliloquy one day, decides to go meet his father,r, who is always at the shrine and his office. He said to himself, “Anything I say, they will say PaPa must not hear; I will not let anything or anyone stand in my way toward this dream, “ he concluded and left for the shrine. Nana is just eighteen and has plans to be a philosopher in the near future, but his family lineage is creating phobia in his mind, especially the death sentence of a thing.
Getting to the shrine, he saw his father who was wearing a leather skirt and a white singlet with a native herbalist cap was busy attending to his visitors in the shrine after his father's visitor left, he told his father errands that he wanted to see his father and a reply was sent to him to stay put in the office. After the message was delivered, his father was surprised to know that Nana, who had never come to the shrine before, was around, and it would be very important.
Getting there, Nnana greeted his father, and he sat beside him and said My son, the child of the great oracle and gods Ndama, the gods of my land, what brings you here today. Nana, for the very first time in his life, never knew where his boldness came from, but his heart was heavy, and he must lighten it up. At this point, he didn't care what will be the circumstances of his decision.
Father, I have been having issues with Mother and Brother Chinedu since coming back from school; the issue is that I wanted to be a philosopher, and I don't want to partake in the service of the gods, Ndama, so I am here today to let you know my mind, sir, Nnana concluded. His father stood up and said Nso gini which means what do you say? Nana replied, PaPa, I have made up my mind, and if you don't want that, I shall run away immediately; his father heard this; he saw fear on his father's face, and his father sat back beside him. Then Chief Okija continued, “ My son, running away is a death sentence, and I don't want to lose you, “ he said calmly. Nana then asked his father what could be done as he was ready to take the risk and his father brought out a bottle of Gin with two glass cups, poured a cup full one from himself and one for his son Nana, and said” Now the foreknowledge as come to pass, the one that will be the curse breaker is here “ he gaps and continues “ yes, it was seen that one of my lineages will change from his forefathers' ways and his decision must be respect to avoid unfortunate situations, none of my children dare question me or look through my eyes with such boldness “ he spoke in affirmation. Nana answered, “ PaPa, I am sorry to have behaved in such ways, but other family members have been saying no to my request and the threats of death put fear in me, and it is becoming worrisome,“ he replied in a low tone.
“Yes, it is a death sentence for a son of the Oracle to run away but that is if the father knows nothing about it. My son Nana, I will support you and sponsor you to aim your dreams but on one condition “ he asked . Papa, what is the condition? If I may ask, Nnana asked partially happily. Chief Priest Okija looked at his son and put his hand on his son's head and said “ promise me none of the family members will know what we discussed here, it is for your sake and I promise to let the cat out of the basket when it is right “ he concluded.” I will PaPa”, Nana answered in happily and joyously inclined manner. They both laughed and drank the Gin in the bottle and ate some fried goat meat with it.
Thanks for reading through.