Folktales and tales by moonlight was one thing we enjoyed as an African child. It was common in the olden days that parents tell their children stories at night in order to keep the evening alive. It was often a small gathering of children who sat around the elderly person forming a circle. Our ears were itching for new stories and we were vulnerable to believe every story that was told to us at that time. While the campfire kept us warm, we sat eagerly, listening to stories they hope will leave behind morals for us to pick from. It was through one of these meetings that I recorded some myths.
I grew up under the care of my grandma. She always had stories to tell. Most of her stories were centered on things that had happened many years ago. A few of these stories were about her personal life and the rest; history about anything. One day while telling a story she talked about how close the clouds were with the earth, that it was possible for one to touch the clouds because men were in right standing with God, but as men began to sin, the clouds pulled back and continued to do so until it is where it is today. God knows I believed that story, in my young mind, I only imagined how pleasant it would have been if the cloud was once again closer to the earth. This myth about the cloud and the earth only made me picture the tower of Babel and I believed it must have been closer and that may have been the reason why the people of Babel took that step.
While in a boarding house in school, the first thing I was cautioned about was going out late at night. Our hostel was located just before an abandoned field that had tall trees, and it was believed that a bushbaby lived there. It wasn't just about the presence of a bush baby, but that it walks around with a cane and mat and flogs anyone it sees in late hours. However, anyone who was strong enough to collect the mat from it and hide himself for 7 days without succumbing to the disturbing cry of the bushbaby within this period will be rich. Surely we were afraid of the cane, but the money involved only motivated us Mount guard hoping for the day it'll come- it never did. I realized that the story behind the mat was false
Finally, a friend of mine made me do a fruitless exercise with the hope that I'll be rich. I didn't know where he learned it from, he only told me a testimony of his aunty who did it and succeeded. He said if I was able to count one to eight before a shooting star disappear, then whatever I ask for will be answered. I remember doing this counting and ensuring I make a wish. I'm still waiting for the answer till date. Later I realized what a shooting star represents and I knew immediately it was a lie I held onto for long.
This is in response to the Hive naija contest. The contest is still valid for participation
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Regarding bush babies, they exist. Only a handful of people have come across them among them being my mom, my cousin and me. I never got to encounter it though because I was smart (unlike some people) to know that I shouldn’t go and check for the strange noise. At 2am at night!
My mom wasn’t so lucky neither was my cousin. The curious ones always receive it woto woto 🤣
Hahahaha. So it actually does flog?
I never believed the people who told their stories
I don’t know about the flogging but the mat is real. My cousin saw it during one of his trips to fetch water in boarding school. My mom saw it because something was scratching at our door and she was curious as to what it was. Me? Immediately I heard that baby crying in front of the house (particularly our room) I just loud music and went to bed. Is not me that will be killed by curiosity
HaHahaha.
Is the animal that strong? Can't someone just bundle it and collect the mat?
It’s a spiritual something. That’s the only superstition that’s not at all superstitious. It’s real. That mat… it’s almost impossible to get it. Those who succeed may not live to enjoy the wealth that comes with it.
According to Western culture (because they especially in Chicago believe in the bush baby as well, I heard it’s rampant in their woods), taking that mat is symbolic. They have a name I can’t remember just like they refer to Spirit husband and wife (that we call them in Nigeria) as Succubus/Incubus, bush baby has a name.
Omoh, I'm getting to know more about this thing. I have always thought it's all a lie and just some stories formed by certain individuals
You inspired me to write about it sef. Madam koi koi. She exists
Parents always educate their children in such a way. Which always turns education into a glory of people doing good deeds and having healthy beautiful days. Parents are always great. This great feeling of theirs always prevails over the children.
This is True
Your grandma deserve a PHD in history and philosophy. But she tried in making happy and to see the important of been good in life so you can touch the sky again.. haha sky will not be your limits
Indeed she tried in keeping us company
There are so many stories from the lips of grandma's and pa's. Hehe, the stories keep our heads wowed. And about the baby Bush, it is real. I came across it once while I was in a higher institution. It was a crazy midnight for me ,hehe.
Hello dearest fashionable dreemer. Happy new day! Wednesday is here with its beauty for an angel like you. Let the beauty rule your day and never forget to smile to make it more beautiful. You have the power to make your day! I waltzed in from #dreemport, for I am an amazing #dreemer. An awesomely made #dreemerforlife.
I've never seen it, this made me believe it's a myth. But now I know
Hehe, yeah. Now you do
Regarding the bush baby I've never believed the exist only in movies though.
Ahhhh 🤣🤣 bush baby flogs wow 😳.
Never get to grow up with my grand parents but hearing all of this from your grand mother is actually funny 🤣😂 wish I grew up with my grand parents to hear such sweet story that's not true.
Grand parents always have a story to tell. But she's old now, and her memories are short
This reminds me of many folktales from my grandfather. One good thing is that they use such stories to teach morals and valuable lessons. The present generation are missing a lot in this regards.
#dreemerforlife
Seriously, this generation no longer have time for stories, and that's why the world has swallowed them up with greed
Lol. I have been laughing with your series of Myth experiences.
Although, while I was young I also believe those stories but that makes us children and shows how tender, sincere we can be.
Thank you for sharing. It really made looked back and see how I once believed a myth that never existed.
Funny how, some people still believed this stories and still passed it down to there children.
Hahaha. We were vulnerable as children and that's what made us believe everything
The vulnerability of a child makes healthy because with the sincerity of a child, comes no worries and I wish we could go back to that time. The world will be more comfortable for everyone.
Indeed we long to have such good days
Those days did not come with responsibilities like that of adulthood.
Would you believe I once thought of no one growing old.
Hahaha,.until you grew and saw old people around you right?
Lol. Yes.
The tale about the shooting star cracked me up. I wonder if his aunty told him that myth. I also grew up believing some tales that I sometimes remember and laugh.
dreemerforlife
Hahaha. We have believed some funny stuffs in the past. Now we look back and just laugh at them
Hehe, this is interesting, I can the fright and also the money motivation to seek out the bushbaby and become rich. Nice one.
Are you sure you can?
I meant I can imagine rather
Oh, I understand now