The Burden of Custom and Tradition

CHAPTER I

THE LEGACY OF TRADITION

            The tradition of drum beating runs deep in African culture. The depth of mastery in beat, sound, and rhythm is the hallmark of excellence, and specialization is essentially a man’s art. Although little girls may randomly beat tattoos in imitation of boys of their age, the propensity in girls to drum generally diminishes, as they grow older, and fades away completely by the time they have reached adolescence.

            Therefore, when Ngina, a woman, thirty years of age, beat not an ordinary drum, but the “Sacred Drum” of Ghost Hill Town, she raised not merely eyebrows, but broke an age-long tradition, which was intact since Chief Nomo, the veteran hunter who founded the town more that three centuries past.

            Ngina was the third of four girls of Mbaragha and A’Ngon. Early in her childhood, it was evident that Ngina was an exceptional child. For example, she started walking at the age of seven months and she was already talking at the age of ten months. Indeed, she was the “wonder child” of Ghost Hill Town and the talk of the day.

            Ngina was everything in the world to Mbaragha, the pearl over which he gloated. He wanted a male heir ever since he married. Each time his wife was pregnant, Mbaragha hoped she would deliver a male child. He was woefully disappointed. Nevertheless, after Ngina was born, Mbaragha dismissed his cherished desire for a male heir. He took consolation in the evidence of the exceptional intelligence and skills of Ngina.

            The fifth pregnancy was fatal for A’Ngon. She had the most difficult labor case ever witnessed in the area. By his tears, song, and simple laughter, Mbaragha mourned for his wife with a broken heart, and he vowed not to marry again.

            Although others of Mbaragha’s relations requested to help in raising the children, as it is the practice among Africans, Mbaragha rejected such help. He decided to teach his daughters self-reliance and independence, which they would never learn if they lived and depended on other people, including the extended family.