REMINISCE

Reminisce

I never met my grandfather, whose story of some sort, I am about to share. But I was told by my Mom that he died shortly after my birth. He also named me Olajumoke meaning, ‘cherished wealth’. I think I was the only grandchild before his demise that didn’t get an Islam name – I remember feeling slightly envious and disappointed when my cousins talk about their names and relationship with him.

In case you are wondering, my Dad’s father died when he was 7 and his Mom passed about two years or thereabout after my birth. I only have photos of us together and I guess it must be fun for her. As a child, I used to stare and adore the big frame which had her picture, hung in a corner of our living room. She looked very stylish and beautiful too.

No doubt, my father adored his mother – the size of the frame those years were as large as what some newlyweds would probably use for their large wedding portraits. Apart from this, till date, he remembers her death day every year. Their bond was a special and beautiful one. It was only natural that he was very excited when he had two more girls in his life!

This story isn’t about my Dad, so let’s move on. By now, you can tell that I love that man called my father so dearly. He undoubtedly is the foundation of the fierce, loving and strong woman I have become and becoming.

So, back to my grandfather with whom I had no tangible memories of beyond stories told by my grandmother and of course the ‘legacies’ he left behind in form of his not so many wives, famous household golden name, a royal blood and a mansion (that’s what it would have been called in those days).

A mansion that had his own sacred space including a big court yard, living room and bedrooms. The man obviously didn’t need a kitchen in his chamber; he had the full devotion of the wives in that aspect. Each wife also had a room, kitchen and rooms for the number of children they have. The more children, the more rooms a wife would likely get.

It would surprise you where this whole story is going. I’m tempted to write the popular phrase, ‘wait for it’ but I feel you will end up missing all these side stories and get distracted by the quest to unravel the said mystery.

Anyways, I remember about three or four wives, who were legally married to my grandfather – by legal, I meant traditionally which was the custom. Apart from my late grandma, the first wife was my favourite. We had our special moments and she was very friendly and warm. My Mom loved her dearly too.

Her White Rice (Iresi - Elewe) wrapped in green leaves and Peppered stew (Atadindin) was my favourite of all times. I could eat it, all day, every day. I always looked forward to it each time we visited for Christmas or whenever I stayed at my Grandma’s house.

She had a shop right in front of my Grandfather’s house and was usually the first person you would see.  I can’t remember exactly what she sold, if she sold anything, because she was already very old at the time. All I could tell was, that space had become her kitchen and the extension shed, was and would become a favourite spot for all grandchildren. We would all gather there at night, dancing, chatting, drinking and eating. 

Till date, I find myself looking at that exact spot whenever we visited even though, a lot had changed. I wished I was old enough to cook, I would have asked for her Peppered stew’s recipe. It was the bomb!

Okay.

So, I am currently reading the book, ‘Winnie Mandela, a life’ where her childhood memories and relationships especially with her father and grandmother made me reminisce on mine- especially with the other grandmother(s) with whom I shared something beautiful with.

My other grandmother, who was the first wife to my grandfather was popularly called, Iya Oko, which my Mom had nicknamed her as a child. Iya Oko's smiles, warmth and food would always be a memory I would love to keep for a long time.

Did you eventually see it?

I hope you enjoyed every bit of this as I did. And I hope it also made you reminisce on some favaourite memories too. This was written at 22:47pm on 6^th January 2020.

Love & Light,

TA