I AM NO MAN

The day I cooked salty rice, something weird happened. Maami burst into tears and started going on about how no man would marry me and I’d end up a Dálémosú like Aunty Abike. I wanted to point out that Aunty Abike had two clothing stores in Oshodi and was wealthy by all standards. Instead I kept quiet and let my mother take the blame for the ruined dinner.
     The day Saliu the Cocoa farmer asked for my hand in marriage and I refused because he wasn’t educated and had poor taste in his choice of clothing, Maami rebuked the spirit of Èsù in me. A woman is no man Òsúnkóredé, we don’t get to be choosy.
     On our way home from iya ológì’s third naming ceremony in three years, I told Maami I wasn’t sure I wanted to be a mother. Maami laughed and said Baami didn’t name me after the goddess of fertility for me to be spewing rubbish from my mouth. What did I know about life and childbearing? She said.
        The day I packed my things and begged Maami to let me go to Lagos with Aunty Abike, even the clouds seemed to be against my decision in their dark shades, the sun slowly turning her back against me. Maami said “A woman is no man Òsúnkóredé . We don’t get to just up and leave our families in search of a better life”. As she spoke, I almost felt compelled to stay behind.
   Maami was right though, truly I am no man. I am Òsúnkóredé, a female who squats to pee, yes. But I am so much more, smart talented and I’m ready to make this new world feel my impact.


Image gotten from Pinterest.