Calabash Child

Inspired by, but not claiming to be an authentic representation of, the Igbo/Ibo folktale The Calabash Child, retold by Buchi Offodile in "The Orphan Girl and Other Stories, West African Folk Tales".

 
Synopsis:

The diligent wife of a childless Igbo king (Eze) managed a farm. One day, she met a little girl among the calabashes that she cultivated. Before the queen's eyes, the child changed into a calabash and reverted back into human form. Delighted that her prayers for a child had been answered, the queen asked the child to accompany her back home. The child agreed on one condition: no one should ever call her a calabash child.

The Eze was very pleased to have an heir. He warned everyone not to call the new princess a calabash child. The king named his daughter Onunaeliaku (born to consume wealth) and doted on her. 

But one day, the king and the queen had to go on a trip. They left their child in the care of the servants, who quickly revealed their scorn for Onunaeliaku, mocking her and calling her the forbidden sobriquet 'calabash child'. Saddened, Onunaeliaku left the king's compound and headed towards to the farm where her mother had first found her.

The queen and the king could not find their daughter when they came home. After questioning their servants, they went after Onunaeliaku and caught up with her. When the king learned that the servants had mistreated Onunaeliaku, he promised to punish the offenders. However, Onunaeliaku still wanted to go back to her place of origin.

Knowing that he had lost his child, the king wept bitterly. Onunaeliaku saw that the Eze had chosen to respect a little child's wishes despite his power and status. Moved by her father's love for her, she returned home with her parents.

The king held the servants accountable for their offense. Onunaeliaku grew up to be the Eze Nwanyi of the village, starting the tradition of female leadership. 

To learn more about the political influence and socio-economic power of women in precolonial Ibo society, read "Life Among the Ibo Women of Nigeria" by Dr. Salome Nnoromele. The Ibo are the third largest ethnic group in Nigeria, at about 41 million (18% of the population). Notable Ibo people include the Nigerian novelist Chinua Echebe; and the first woman Director-General of the WTO, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Artwork available on Redbubble.