Poltical Odysseus of Chief Ndigba[Belief in totems by African leaders] An Allegory Part23

Everyone present readjusted his or her chair to hear more from Nwadima. She ended up stressing that people should recall how the totem had been associated with the actual fact that none of them had actually slept with the chief. There were merely attempts to guess. The Chief had a complex, for he would rather remain in company of the girls and women and have the feeling that he is sexually interested, than to remain without them.

The Chief, it was rumoured was impotent, inviting women around him was to create a different image from what the community knew or think about him. But there is one girl living in Chief’s large compound, who is generally considered to be the daughter. It has been a closely guarded secret as to whether the Chief was the biological father of this girl called Abali. Even local discrete enquiries have been unable to conclude on the birth and paternity of Abali.

In the circumstance, the attitude of Chief and his women as well as the doubts about his potency and hence the true father of Abali, continue to haunt the community. In the midst of this scenario, the action of every interested lady within Chief’s circle remained to grab as much as possible from Chief’s generosity and largesse. Finally, the Chief summoned up courage and intimated the need to have a second wife. This proposal was only achievable if the present wife gave her consent. The first wife is quite aware of the issue at stake i.e. inheritance of the wealth of the Chief. In addition, it would go against the basic doctrine of his faith, should he take another wife. His human weakness seemed to prevail as he could disregard Faith's teaching and fulfill his urge.

After the meeting of the conclave of the first wife’s people, it was a general consensus that a new wife could be allowed but on their terms. The Chief felt he had overall prerogative to choose a wife. Without consulting any oracle, he decided to boldly invite the three women Ngozi, Sarah and Nwadima Sisi Zululand who has been struggling to win over the chief. The chief was delighted when Nwadinma described the tattoo which represented Chief’s Totem. The efficacy of the totem now was no longer in doubt!