Shenelle POV
"Ugh these pesky village flies, they're so persistent", screaming out of exhaustion, I sway my palms in an effort to drive them away.
"Hihihi, maybe they're coming at you for stealing the heart of their crowned prince," Teeya says sarcastically stealing a glance at me.
"Herh, Nyini!", I mimicked in mock anger.
We both laugh and she dragged a huge basin full of fresh twigs with leaves for soup.
"Let's get down to business"
"Huh?", I gave her genuinely surprised look
""All this? Is the soup for hundred men and their families?"
"Oh? this? Ha!, It's not even enough. You see when you cook the leaves they dissolve into a liquid kinda thing, it's more of like chewing cotton candy! Looks big once you place it in your mouth, when you're done eating it reduces to the size of a peanut!"
"Tsw, I puffed Rolling my eyes Teeya's explanation. I just didn't believe what she was saying, the leaves were really plenty. How'd cooking ever reduce such an outrageous mass
"Now, pick out the leaves from the twigs one by one leaving the hard stalk behind. Don't throw the leaves away or else your share of the soup will reduce as you've thrown part away."
Yes ma, i replied sarcastically.
The next hour was a battle fought.
It was a "sack a fly–Pick a leaf" combination.
I'm sure I'd have raised my hands in surrender, if not for Teeya's tales. The girl had so many stories to tell. It was just hilarious.
In the course of being a Dagomba housewife, a visitor walked in, greeting us in the native language. Palace guard I suppose.
Teeya engaged him in a conversation while as usual I sat still lost in the Dagbani spoken.
The guy handed a parcel to Teeya, gasping for breath she exclaimed, squealing as loud as ever
"Zori (friend), this is for you"
"Huh," I dumbly replied. C'mon I was in genuine shock as I didn't expect to receive a parcel. I grabbed it and slowly but surely I unwrapped the Content.
You would believe but it was an expensive, hand woven, beautiful Northern fuugu material. It had intricate patterns and designs which could not go unnoticed. The material was very heavy and you could tell that this wasn't a regular piece. Further probe, revealed beads of different kinds, also with their own unique designs and patterns, something I'd never ready seen before.
OMG, I hear Teeya squeal even louder.
"This is beautiful, let me see",She took it as thought it was gold and gave it a thorough look.
"Naa maa bingmaa(The Chief's matching cloth)....
This made me remember Tee, could he have sent this. After watching our reactions the palace guard took leave.
"Look Shenelle, a note!!!"
Taking the note out excitedly,
It read:
Hey love,
Please make me the happiest heir
and slay in this...
Be my Bugum Ride!
~T. A. D
Reading the initials of the name made me chuckle lightly and I became red with blushes.
Timtooni Andani Deeshini you won't kill me.
Teeya was equally shocked, transferred her surprise into mocking me
"You get heir wey go fit spoil you, Aish, Soriii", that was her anthem. It was just hilarious
"What's Bugum anyway?"
"You'll find out soon, my dear", Teeya says mischievously as she danced around with the smock piece"
She explained that that specific smock material was coded, for royals only. She claims it was hard to find even among the elite who weren't royals. She ramsacked the entire package, scanning through the various beads and accessories. She held them like gold, and explained the significance of each bead. It amazes me how every single bead had a story backing it.
"You know what this smock piece means?
It's kind of like the Chief's missing piece during the celebration. Under normal circumstances, the Chief gifts this to his favourite wife, of all his numerous wives, Then on the day of the Bugum she'd wear it to match his( the Chief) own smock. Herh, the honour given to her is on a different level. She's the envy of all, especially the other wives. Interesting part is, "the Chief's Queen", has to grace the festivities by dancing for him in the presence of glaring eyes!"
"Whoa, that was deep culture."
So by far I am the chosen, Tee's favourite wife"
Geez, we aren't even married yet, what's all this!
The word 'dance' just didn't sink well.
Since I'd be twinning with Tee, does it mean as his 'favourite wife', I'd have to dance for him?
The thought of this sent rushes down my spine
Bugum festival documentary
~~~~Mel's Smock Boutique~~~~