Bows and arrows, wailing and sorrow
an end approaching our tomorrow
the land smiled as she bears the burden
of our young men and beautiful maiden
The year was in 1515
Then, I think I was 15
the year when battle was celebrated
Between Igala and Benin
Our stream has been poisoned
the breasts of our women dried
Like River Sonkai in rainy season
as children before their mothers died
I saw the war and fought
I was not a kid, though I was small
Fearless fears dictates our steps
our shadows, sources of our fears
Ifa must be consulted
Opele must be invited
Sure, something must be done
to stop this war that has killed our sons
A speech, a silence that echoes over our heads
a stare that never has an end
Once Ifa has spoken
finally the silence has been broken
For days Attah Ayegba Oma Idoko
Couldn't sleep, his rest point is behind the iroko
His beautiful daughter and princess
His jewel, the best among best
Several times I've lustfully "eyed" her bossom
whenever she passes behind closed doors
BUT
Ifa has spoken
Opele the silence he has broken
From afar she watches at his daily worries
"send me if that will end our miseries"
Reluctantly he agreed
for the love of his subjects
I watched as she was buried
amidst fears and worries
Like a magical spell the war ended
as we count our losses
But Igala will never again be the same
Inikpi has won the war
A statue of Inikpi stand today at Ega, in the heart of Idah town. The Igalas of Kogi State of Nigeria still exist and thrive because of one princess’ love to the point of death for her father and the Igala kingdom.
Copyright: Fresh Angle International (www.freshangleng.com)
ISSN 2354 - 4104
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