THE JOYFUL DANCE

I remember the first time I watched a masquerade dance in my village, it was a New Yam Festival, the air was filled with roasted corn and fried akara, the drummers played their talking drums till the earth shook, the entire village had flocked the King's square and the masquerades were floating between this world and the next. I can never forgotten that moment because it had made me understand that life is a dance especially when we are happy. During the wedding of my elder sister, I realized what it feels like to dance for joy. A wedding dance is something more, it is the language of praise, it is the way of saying what words cannot express.  Our family compound was already filled with people by 10am on the Saturday morning. The white and green canopy was already hanged and chairs were laid in order but the smell of jollof rice and fried meat was filling the air and that won't let me rest until I taste some. The women wearing bright colored clothes called "Aso Ebi" wrapped their gele like crowns on their heads while the men wore their flowing agbada and caps proudly. The drummers were already standing there at the side, with their talking drums tied beneath their arms ready to speak with beats. Everyone cheered when my sister Folu, came out in her lace blouse and wrapper. Her cheeks were shining and her smile was very broad, after doing all the due marriage rites, it's now time for the coupl dance. The master of ceremony screamed "Clear the road ladies and gentlemen, the bride and her groom are here!!!” The drummers started with the first beat, the sound of the talking drum resembled the voice of a living person. Tunde the new husband of Folu, took her hand and went with her to the center. They danced very well, they did not feel ashamed because they were so happy. The elderly members of both families started coming to the dance floor to dance with them and spray them money, notes were stampeded on the overheated forehead of Folu so crisp naira notes were everywhere, so as for me, I made sure I picked as much as I can, I no dey dull myself. After that episode was when the actual dance began, it was time for the younger members of both families to dance with the couples. My cousins came forward throwing money about, dancing like there was no tomorrow. I was still trying to maintain steeze when one of them pulled me into the crowd. The drums were sounding louder and the bass guitar was all over , in a flash my feet had a rhythm. I swing from left to right shaking my fingers like I was poured hot water “Ehn ehn that’s my daughter!” Mama said laughing while spraying me with five hundred naira notes. People in the crowd cheered and I felt something in my heart, this was not just movement for me, it was an expression of joy and freedom.  The friends of the bride were really the life of the party, their dance steps were perfectly in unison, their wrappers swinging, cheering Folu to dance more with their laughter echoing, they shouted repeatedly “Folu, wife material!!!" as she danced about. At some point the dance ended so that people could have their delicious meals while the couple continued the joyful moment by having the first couple meals, votes of thanks and other presentations by other people. At the end of the day when the wedding celebration has ended and the groom has carried his bride home, I was sitting with my father under the mango tree outside the family compound. He looked at me smiling then he said "You know my daughter, this is how we party in our culture, events like this bring happiness to our body and soul. Dance is our means of saying to the world that we are grateful and we are happy to be alive". I gave a nod because I finally understood. That day I learnt that dancing is not just an entertaining thing, it is a testament. Even though the wedding between Folu and Tunde has long passed but the joy remained with me, I could still remember the sound of the drums and my dance steps that day. I have definitely learned what dancing for joy is that day and when life presents me with something to be thankful for, I don't just smile I dance too. Thank you for staying with me this far, I hope you had a good read, see you next time 🤗 Noted: All pictures are generated on Meta AI