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“ABIBA-TWENEKROM’S MAGIC WAND” (PART 1) : TALES OF ASANTEWAA.

“The Kente weaver in crafting that exquisite cultural cloth held in high esteem and admired by many both inside and outside our four borders, does not rely solely on a single strand of thread but on several strands of colorful threads to get the beautiful patterns you crave to cover your skin. Our Society, just like the Kente cloth, beautifully woven with the diversity in cultures, values, ideas, people, ceases to exist and perpetuate without diversity. There’ll only be families, clans, tribes or mere isolated groups. It does not matter, whether you’re male or female, child or adult, rich or poor, royal or native, an insider or outcast, slave or master – everyone has a voice and everyone must be given equal opportunities. The perfect society knows no caste, and that’s the Society I hope to build…”

My name is Abiba Hussein, and you’re about to hear my story – one of a glorious kingdom. A village of warriors and of men of valor and conquest. A land rich in treasure and a vast stretch of green vegetation. A land whose name does not depart from the lips of its hearers due to its rich historical tales. You are about to hear the story of the land of Twenekrom.

“Adepa papabi! Twenekrom ade papabi (Twenekrom’s valuable asset)! Abiba tell me, don’t I deserve the very best because of my unquestionable beauty?” she asked, staring at herself in the mirror hanging on the wall of her bedroom as she turned her body round, admiring her features. She stole a glance at her maiden who was busily humming her favorite tunes as she cleaned the room. Abiba stopped cleaning and stared back at Adepa through the mirror, and replied courteously with a grin on her face, “of course my lady, your beauty melts down the heart of the sky, and commands its innocent tears to shower kisses on our land, making it fertile and green, you deserve the very best.” Hearing her maiden speak, Adepa blushed and gave a heartwarming smile. She whispered into Abiba’s ears “My Birthday is just around the corner, and I wish for nothing but the best of gifts on that day”. Abiba replied looking straight into her eyes “I pray your wish be granted on that day Adepa”, both of them smiled and Abiba continued with her cleaning whiles Adepa darted out of her room.

Adepa Tweneboa Kodua was the only known daughter of Akwasi Tweneboa Kodua, a reputable man, highly revered by his village folks. He hailed from the wealthiest family in the entire ‘Twenekrom’ (town of the Tweneboa-Kodua’s) – a small yet fast developing town in the suburbs of the Golden city of Ghana. The town had its name Twenekrom from the historical role played by the Tweneboa-Kodua family in capturing and building the town. It wasn’t surprising that the town was named after them and that the royal family hailed from the lineage of the Tweneboa-Kodua’s.

The town boasts of vast rich green vegetation and serene ambience. Gigantic old trees with outstretched branches lined the streets of sand and Eden-green grass; with birds of all sort flying through the branches, and chirping sweet melodies. In Twenekrom, the native-majority lived in mud houses covered with thatch and painted in hues of red and gray; whiles the few fixed structures such as the King’s Palace are constructed of concrete cement and bricks for the Royals and affluent families in the town who could afford.

It was almost dusk and the sun was steadily handing over to its comrade, the moon – in a dusty purple sky. Abiba had just finished with her favorite delicacy – boiled plantain with kontomire stew (palava sauce). She cleaned up, and went outside to sit on the stool beside the wall at the backyard, to gaze at the stars. Her mother before passing on told her to always look into the sky and make a wish anytime she missed her. Her mother was the only family she had. She never got the chance to meet her extended family since she was very little when her mother came to settle in Twenekrom. A smile formed on her lips as she reminisced the cute moments she enjoyed with her mother as a child. The fresh air from the evening’s breeze filled her lungs, and she felt refreshed.

Adepa slowly walked to her maiden’s side and stood beside her for a while, Abiba dashed to the kitchen and brought out one stool for her. They chatted throughout the night and looked up enjoying the view of the beautiful angels in the sky.

“Adepa look up there”, she requested of her lady pointing up to the glittering star in the sky. Adepa looked in her direction “what’s wrong with that star?” she asked as she stood up from the stool, her eyes felt heavy… She had been dozing and looked like she’d be hitting the hay soon.

“Well I see an ominous sight when I look at it… It seems so lonely, isolated from the others yet glitters the most.” Abiba replied in delight as she also stood up, she took the two stools back to the kitchen. When she returned to her Lady’s side, they both wished each other good night then entered the house through the porch.

The morning sun shoved its rays through the curtains of the window into her room and shone upon Abiba. She opened her eyes, raised her hands to outstretch them, and opened her mouth for a yawn. She had spent most of her nights at the Tweneboa mansion in a neglected dusty store-room which was bathed in cobwebs and filled with old books and rugged furniture. So she just settled on the free space down there, with a mat on the floor and pieces of old clothes as pillow at the head side. She stood up from the mat and went for a chewing stick to brush her teeth. As she passed by Adepa’s door, there was a sound and the door swung open. Standing at the doorway, she peeped inside “Are you awake my Lady?” She entered upon.....

Do click on the link below to continue reading this beautiful African tale. Thank you.

WRITTEN BY MILLICENT ASANTEWAA ANIM.

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