Outcast

her. Mama hasn't looked this pale before. Her face looked dim, and her words looked calculated. I was five. I couldn't interfere with their exchanges. Papa wasn't at home. I call

f yourself. I won't blame you, you have decided to join the white man

my eyes here and your words won't get to me", Mama said pointing at me.

me a scary look. It sent shivers down my spine. She gave me a cold attitude. I gr

ared at me once

child. She got him from the white man's religion. I

as born and he died when he was one. The second one died on his third birthda

ept bitterly. Mama Nnukwu advised my father to take another wife if the fifth child died. They were idol worshippers and practiced traditional religion. By culture, Papa could marry as many wives as he deemed fit. Papa loved Mama so much and she was endearing to his heart. Mama cooked his best soup which was

led. These words hurt Mama so much. She decided to visit her friend, who advised her to follow a white

rstition scares me anymore since my husband died. I'm in Christ", Mama Ebuka bragged. Mama was converted to Christianity. Papa loved her so much and accepted he

St. Vincent De Paul's Catholic church. A reverend sister was assigned to he

zabeth. She didn't fail to tell people to address her as Nnedi, she stressed the syllable and

me. "You are Nnedi you are an OSU (Outcast) and no amount of name fla

igger than an average newborn child. Mama wasn't happy that I was a boy, she had gone to the native doctor to help her make the child a girl. Mama wa

two tribal marks Mama gave the fourth child before he died. It was a full mark on my two faces. But it came as a birthmark on the sides

sterious child", Mam

ark", Mama Ebuka assured Mama. It was surprising that Papa name

always pressured Mama to get pregnant again, but it wasn't forthcoming. Mama Nnukwu thought Mama wa

es her wish", Mama Nnukwu would tell her friends. She always called for meetings where she tables the matter to the kinsmen.

'I have been trying', I heard another muttering that came out from Mama, but I didn't und

**********

e, I fell sick, and Mama was scared. My temperature became above normal. Mama wanted

must be treated traditionally, we will know happiness whe

My child belongs to the church, and nothing you can do about

ur fifth child and your traditional medicine h

to her hut. Mama Nnukwu lived in a hut, while Papa built a cemented four-room apartment beside it. Mama Nnukwu had been told to

seen him before. The catechist took Mama and me, to the sacristy for the reverend father who was celebrating mass at the altar to be done. The sacristy looked beautiful. It was d

didn't understand what was happening again, until a body of water was being sprinkled on me and people were muttering words. I was lying on

They muttered prayers every morning and night. The Reverend's sister told Mama that she

nd Papa's joy

owl to celebr

man's religion is mak

er, Oma'mmiri, had assured us we would be happy when a female child is born", Mama Nnukwu s

born, which was according to her words. In my nightmare, I was always doing hide and seek at the back of the trees that littered our big compound. Just then, a woman wi