The Sacred Spring

Do you know what Adiaha Anwa did for her daughter?

Do you know what she did to save her?

A thing that could only come from the heart of a mother!

She went to the water to save her

She went on Akwa Ederi, that special day, you see?

When no one but unmarried girls could go there by decree

She took her jar upon her head, walked that perilous path

Ready to sacrifice herself by facing ldemm's wrath

How did it come to this? Why did she do this thing?

Open your ears and listen to the song that I'll sing

 

Eduok Adiaha Ekkpo had trouble in his house

He had two wives and neither one cared for the other spouse

Nwa Udo the senior wife, was tall and strong and stern

And there wasn't a single thing she couldn't do or learn

Nwa Udo was always calm, but everybody knew

That those to whom she'd extend help were very, very few

Adiaha, the junior wife, was sweet, kind, and fair

And even though she did it slow, she always did her share

She worked the farms and caught the fish and hung them up to smoke

And people loved her water jars because they never broke

Gentle Adiaha Anwa embraced all who drew near

She wrapped them tight and held them in the circle of her care

Daughter of the Climbing Palm, Flower Child, they called her

A doting mother devoted to her one and only daughter

So, when this precious child took ill, Adiaha couldn't sit still

She turned left and she turned right, and searched with all her might

Morning, noon, and night, to end her daughter's plight

She wouldn't rest until she knew her daughter was alright

She gave the child some medicine, strong ibok ukanyin

She prayed and knocked on heaven's door and cried "Abasi do"!

She begged the mme ndem for mercy, she asked them for pity

But they turned deaf ears to her cries, their silence was stony

She prayed, bargained, and begged, and cried until her eyes turned red

Her every moment marked with dread at the thought of her child dead

But still the child's skin burned to touch, it soon was all too much

Adiaha made her last request with the child's limp hand clutched

"Take her then," the woman cried. "It's better if she died!"

"At least she'll be there by your side, with ikaan she'll reside!"

Nwa Udo observed her pain aloof like you won't believe

She never once thought could offer help or some relief

To her each day was like the next, she wasn't moved to bother

She worked her farms and sold her wares and lived without a care

Time went on and soon it came, that very special time

When to go and fetch water was a very serious crime

But oh! It was on that same day the child found strength to say

"My throat burns, I thirst, mother. Some water if I may!"

Adiaha cried in dismay when she looked into her pot

The empty depths revealed to her the one thing she forgot

"I waited far too long!" she wailed ''I waited for too long!"

"Now there's no water in my pot to make my daughter strong!"

She knew her co-wife would be peeved, would think of her a thief

But Adiaha was beyond care and that's what made her dare

Nwa Udo's water reached the brim, so maybe she could skim

A little bit just off the top, enough to fill a cup

 

But as soon as she took the cup to give her child a drink

Nwa Udo walked into the room and made Adiaha shrink

"I saw you touch my waterpot! I saw just what you did!"

"So now you must go to the spring and make sure it's refilled!"

"When the head of the house is out, that's when the servant thinks

That she can take her useless self to the waterpot to drink!"

Nothing Adiaha could say would change her co-wife's mind

She saw then that Nwa Udo had no plan to be kind

Her heart beating fast in her chest Adiaha faced her test

She prayed to Abasi above and filled her steps with love

She left the compound carrying her very finest jar

And turned her feet toward the spring, which wasn't very far

 

But as she walked the empty roads on this forbidden day

The wind began to stir the air and trees began to sway

And as she tried to walk right past her family's totem

The Palm Tree stretched out big branches, blocking her path with them

This gave Adiaha quite the scare, her eyes filled up with tears

But she knew from the tree's actions her ancestors were near

She thought of doing what was best and turning back toward home

But chose instead to state her case, her child's need urged her on

I know that this is Idemm's day, I shouldn't go to the water

But yesterday I could fetch none, because of my sick daughter

I begged my co-wife for a cup, but she wouldn't give a thing

So now, I pray you, clear the road and let me reach the spring

Struck by her sincerity the Palm Tree showed mercy

It swept its branches off the road, granting her amnesty

Adiaha bowed her head in thanks and continued her path

Relieved that she hadn't incurred her family totem's wrath

But further down along the way at a bend in the road

She stopped in fear some steps from where Idemm's great leopard stood

She turned to run but realized her lack of courage meant

Her child would die, and she would still face Nwa Udo 's contempt

My heart is in my mouth, she thought, but I must do my best

And maybe like the tree this too is just another test

So she turned back and came to stand before the mighty beast

And hoped that as she sang it wouldn't mistake her for a feast

I know that this is Idemm's day, I shouldn't go to the water

But yesterday I could fetch none, because of my sick daughter

I begged my co-wife for a cup, but she wouldn't give a thing

So now, I pray you, clear the road and let me reach the spring

The leopard snarled and showed its fangs and swished its lengthy tail

But her soft voice was very sweet, so Adiaha prevailed

The leopard stepped aside and gave a deep and rumbling purr

Then settled down to rest and lick its finely speckled fur

Adiaha breathed her thanks again and continued on her way

Trying not to look back where the fearsome leopard lay

 

Finally she stood before the people's Sacred Spring

She bowed her head, and calmed her fear, and raised her voice to sing

I know that today is your day, I shouldn't have come for water

But yesterday I could fetch none, because of my sick daughter

I begged my co-wife for a cup, but she wouldn't give a thing

So now, I pray you, let me carry water from the spring

Idemm, Giver of Children, to you we give our daughters

Hear my plea and have mercy on this desperate mother

No sooner had she sung those words than did the waters stir

And from the swirling depths arose the water spirit fair

Come, my child, Great Idemm sang, you have nothing to fear

Fill your jar with what you need, your love has brought you far

And when you go, do take with you these gifts from my own hand

Calm your heart and wipe your tears, I see and understand

How great the joy Adiaha felt, her gratitude grew wings

It flew with her as she walked home, making even birds sing

 

She filled Nwa Udo's pot back up, she gave her back her cup

She poured it in with steady hands, she didn't lose a drop

But Nwa Udo wasn't concerned with water just restored

Her envious gaze was fixed on the gifts in Adiaha's store

I must go and claim a piece of all I see in there

Idemm is my totem, so I know she has my share!

 She took her jar and left the house, rushing and unheeding

And had no care though what she did was strictly forbidden

The Palm Tree waved its branches, but it let her pass unbothered

The leopard gave a lazy snarl but let her pass unhindered

And soon enough Nwa Udo stood before the Sacred Spring

Too out of breath to speak, or even try to sing

Without a word of thanks, or even a greeting

She dipped her jar into the pool, breath held expectantly

 All was quiet for a bit but then the waters swirled

And rose up in a fearsome wave which pulled her in their swell

The woman strove to free herself but that didn't go so well

The water held her in its grasp, and Idemm spoke at last

Nwa Udo, you claim my name but bring me so much shame

Now you shall die with nothing but your own envy to blame

Your actions are not worthy of those who I call my seed,

You co-wife came in dire need, but all you bring is greed

 

So now you know what Adiaha Anwa did for her daughter

Now you know exactly what she did for her daughter

She shared her heart and lived her faith and gave love to others

She always did her very best, and that is how she saved her

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