THE FORBIDDEN RIVER

Like soldiers returning from war, we made a rhythmical noise of victory as we returned from the camp's forbidden river. The river - river Yikpata, is a wonder to behold. Though it dwells amidst the chaos of the sweet sun, its beauty is beyond explanation - but I will try to explain. Our quest for adventure made a visit to the river the water that quenched our thirst. According to the locals, the torrents of the river killed some corps members a year ago. Among numerous other laws, we were told not to go near the river. Really, we were law abiding citizens; we kept the camp rules - just this one law was violated.
Though the camp was redolent of immorality and unfaithfulness, the weather of Yikpata remained faithful to us with its hotness at all time. On this faithful sunny afternoon at Yikpata, I went in search of my Bongo friend; Demilade. With my sun barbequed brain, I saw Ukeme aka U.K Mr.fineboy and Pastor. "You look like someone suffering from malnutrition" Demilade said. I guess he was wrong; actually, I looked malnutrition itself. Our only female friend and mother of our crew, Modupe Ola, joined after she was through with her dance rehearsal, so was the Food-Priest, a graduate of sociology from University of Nigeria. Demilade started with the idea of doing something crazy, then Ukeme came up with the idea of the river. As they discussed, I brought my camera out to take a picture of the sun (the picture is beneath this page). So beautiful, the picture of the rising and falling sun has become my addiction.  We bought the idea and marched towards the river. Though I was scared because of the news that the river kills strangers, the presence of my friends gave me courage.
On our way, we saw a nomardic Fulani guy, I greeted him, but I was surprised he responded in English.  Well, don't be surprised if the Greek gods on mount Olympus speak English.  As we got closer to the river, we couldn't perceive that typical river fragrance - though surprised; we kept on with our journey. At last, we arrived.

"Is this the river?" I asked my friend with great awe.
"No. It is tea - or are you a learner!" Demilade derided.

It was as if our Fulani friend at the bottom of the river parted it for his herd of cattle, when we saw our long awaited beauty as a river without water. Surprised at this, we descended its banks unto the bottom of the river - but with courage; scared that maybe the river was playing a trick on us. Perhaps the river was going to be filled up with water again suddenly. Only the easy and unafraid posture of the locals dispelled my fears. The local women, on bended knees, scooped water from a dug hole in the river's bed. Though the river appeared dry, we got to know that the depth of it kept some water for the inhabitants. You'd see how!

"Water dey the under. You go just…" One of them said.
"For which side?" I cut in.
"Use am for bowl dig am."

Palms turned up - my face asked unspoken questions.
She quickly used her bowl and repeatedly scooped some sand away. A small round hole formed in the ground and water seeped into it.

"Okay. Madam thank you." I smiled.
"Guys! Here's how it works." I called out.
"You just need to dig a shallow hole and water …."
"Let's make it into a documentary then." Demilade cut in.
"Okay! Yea! Makes sense. Who has a good phone to cover it?" I concurred.

With someone recording "the documentary", I started digging and explaining every step of the process. I found a piece of broken gourd and I dug briefly - water came out. It's so amazing that as dry as that river bed appeared, sufficient water could be drawn from it.
According to the local people, the river dries up after the rainy season. They all agreed that the hot sun of Yikpata dried up the river. A graduate of geology that we met at the river said, the river might have been created a long time ago through a strong erosion because the river doesn't have a particular source and stores water during the rainy season.
Amazed at the strength of the sun that could dry up a river; we saw a nation wasting resources. Furiously, Ukeme said, "sunlight as powerful as this can be a great source of electric power for Kwara if not Nigeria as a whole". We returned to our hostel and we sang the remix of version of "By The River of Babylon" but this time of Yikpata.     (BY: SAMUEL AKINBO)

FORBIDDEN RIVER (UKEMEOBONG OWOH)
Cast aside your trepid shawls
Let's take a trip to river side
Our hearts say yes our heads say no
We fear the wrath of military
And dread the sight of torrents high

Can't you sense the adventure
And feel the taste of stolen fruit
We wish to catch the sights and sounds
And listen to river bird sing
So let us tip on toes and go

Quite soon we stand with open mouth
And wonder on dry river bed
Is this a river full of sand?
Or some queer joke to try our minds?
A friend now hears river bird sing
O dig and dig then dig some more
For soon beneath this crispy sand
You'll find a fill of water there
Alas my God a spring is here
We jump and shout and shake our hands
But soon our fears come running back
Quit now and tip back to your camp
Before the law your fingers cut

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Dear reader,
Thank you for reading this piece. I hope you were educated and entertained. Please give my guest author (Samuel Akinbo) a round of applause. Beneath this page is a share button; please hit it and share - if you enjoyed this, help your friends do same. Have a great weekend.

NEXT EPISODE:
MONDAY 27-MAY-2013