Publisher's Synopsis
The story of Asirigbakute is the story of our lives in the society we have created to guide us. The story of the events that shape our lives to make us what we are. Issues we are unaware of often have the most profound effects in our lives than the ones we choreographed. Especially, issues of love and religion have often combined at times, in subtle opposition, to shape our lives as they did in this story that began with a gossip.
Of the three women, sorry four, that began this story, neither knew the real truth behind the confession of one of them, nor of its significance to the ears of a notable elder of the land, Okonta. Where insensitivity and idleness are the rudiments for a gossip; jealousy explodes it to unprecedented levels. Such was the jealousy Akunne had for Obidiya, wife to Tasie, the strongest man in the land. Obidiya is loved and adored by all but loathed by Akunne in every sense of the world hatred. Unknown to many though, Obidiya is a bundle of regrets and a broken spirit; a woman that had been condemned to live in misery all the days of her live. The betrayal by the Igwe, and the true love that she lost led to her actions that brewed the gods curse on her. A curse so saddening that her uncle Okonta decided to use that as the excuse to confront the gods on an issue unknown to many. With thirteen children to her credit so far, she was searching for the mercies of the gods when she met her lost love, Nwaobia, who possibly would be her only redeemer. Would he subjugate his post as the high priest apparent to assist the woman whose rejection banished him from the land for many years? Or, was that the time to extract his pound of flesh? However painful and consummating her past actions were, all were laid to rest when Obidiya collapsed in the hands of the man who forever would be willing to defy the gods to save the woman that had caused him so much pain.When the quest to appease the gods sent Obidiya from her matrimonial home t her uncle's Okonta, she became enmeshed in an abomination that seemed to bring to bear the full wrath of the gods on Okonta as well as on the land. This necessitated Okagbue, her elder cousin's flight, with the help of Obidiya and Akuichie, another cousin, and the twin abomination to a neighbouring village where twins are accepted and preserved! The gods were deceived and the elders sort for the perpetrators to right a wrong. Okonta is left a vegetable in his sickbed with only his wife Mgbeke to guide as the rage of the gods seemed to churn through him. The travails of Okagbue's journey and the lessons thereof invigorated him in the ensuring war that led to the killing of Okonta and the other over sixty souls that were consumed in the anger of the gods let loose from the skies. With the war over and the fury of the gods gauged, negotiation with the victor was unavoidable as hostilities reigned in the midst of the deadly price Okonta paid for his arrogance. There is no middle ground! But the will of the people will only prevail when the machetes of Okagbue and a few of his remaining soldiers have been subdued. Chaos reigned again as the gathering disbanded with varying positions.
