was supposed

only brought a dif

eir homes were there, yes. Their soil. Their trees. But the life they once lived had changed. The roots

le, everyone knew it hadn't died. Obiajulu himself hadn't forgotten. He used his power li

w Buri

st heartless hum

ent, not through law, but enforced with violen

burial unless a large sum of money was paid. The amount wasn't fixed. It could

topped at the main road. Youths sometimes twenty or more would blo

he toll is paid. T

ded, begged, offered

dn't

d back completely. Some families had to bury their loved ones

ss. Her family prepared everything mourners, musicians, even her favorite hymn. B

nly raised

rs knelt on the road. T

re turn

neighboring village, wrapped in silence. Not because

to rest beside her late

sh was

Became

ed whispered at first,

st not be

ake was publicly slapped or dragged outside. They called it

said in his toast, "May this chil

fore he could fin

ed the rim

lder ones began replacing it with "our ho

become a for

erased. A t

s taught it only to their children in private mom

. Don't forget.

yalists called t

le of Nkerehi,

e of Hum

they were steady.Children from Nkereh

told their ya

i people were pushed to the c

e to contribute more, yet their names w

e. Shame carefully applied like salt in a wound so small it woul

, they

allowed their pride. They whispered their name onl

began to build something

mo

nd you pass through the blood from gra

r how many signs

many coffins w

uises were given in t

was stil

n body. Bu

hen the name they tried to bury would ri