by
Obododimma Oha
The title of this article is derived from a great musical track with a similar title by the Late Harcourt Whyte Ikoli and was adopted for a reason. I was delighted exceedingly when a colleague, Prof. Osita Ezeliora, shared a video clip of its performance with me today. Several of Harcourt Whyte's performances already homestead on YouTube and need not be reproduced here. But one needs to say a little about this song . It is a great heart-rending, emotional cry to the Almighty for protection in the context of troubles. You can see why it is a strong emotional expression.
Is it that the Maker is not aware that the errand person is about to perish in a disaster? Certainly not. But crying out is crying out. That kind of cry could rouse anyone to action, unless the fellow is practically lifeless. Harcourt Whyte Ikoli gave it an accent which is even more moving for anyone that knows and could feel it. Not for those lifeless! Protect me, father, and the strong emotional, familial concern would propel response. Protect me, father. "Chebe m, nna."
Now that COVID-19 is ravaging and some think it may erase us from existence, one is not basket-mouthed if one calls on the Maker, "Chebe m, nna!" We are told that many already have it, that a negative result may just be deceptive. So, COVID-19 is a slippery ground, indeed. One even hears that a greater contagion is coming soon. That means that COVID-19 is just a herald of a litany of troubles. Imagine! If that is not an attempt at adding more fuel to the flame and scaring many, then, one has every reason to cry out like Harcourt Whyte did, "Chebe m, nna!" Yes, protect and guide me, father.
Disease creates unease, for the individual and for the many. Unless for the practically lifeless. As long as one is still walking around, "Chebe m, nna!". The bridge could break and sink, and the danger below is even more scary. So, "Chebe m, nna!" Imagine that rough flow of water! Imagine the many crocodiles with open mouths! Are they just laughing and waiting for the bridge to break? "Chebe m, nna!"
Let us try to insert our challenges into the context of Harcourt Whyte's. He was a composer, but he suffered from leprosy, moving from one leprosy settlement to another. Leprosy is a terrible disease, but it could not stop Harcourt Whyte from forming a choral group among the lepers. The songs we are enjoying now were composed and sung in pain. They were actually a cry as well as a consolation that the Maker is greater than any leprosy. So, "Chebe m, nna."
Composed and performed long ago (1942), the song still rings fresh. Even as one tries out one measure and another to contain COVID-19, the song comes back very fresh and relevant to our circumstances. COVID-19 is as devastating, even more devastating, than leprosy. No blame if we now try to refer the case to a higher authority. And we believe our case will not be unduly delayed but called up soon for a hearing. Our attorneys are prepared.
It was T'chicaya U'Tamsi who wondered if a song, a poem, is not close to a cry. And we agree with him. A song like "Chebe m, nna!" is very close to a cry. In fact, it is a cry. One is not exaggerating, or being rhetorical. That cry is about protection. As long as we are here, clothed in the flesh, we are not irresponsible if we cry out due to pain or discomfort.
"Chebe m, nna!" It speaks of helplessness. It speaks about surrender. At last, we surrender to the Maker, even if the framework is imaginary. All our theories and analyses have to submit to that superior knowledge. We know that superior knowledge is superior knowledge. Nothing can be done to change it. We are only trying to see if we can get a litttle percentage of it and end up being very proud.
"Chebe m, nna!" from human deception and misrule. "Chebe m, nna!" when they come with lying and blaming, taking populations for fools. They can afford to deceive and mislead fellow humans, but cannot try them with superior intelligence.
Don't we know that the Maker is doing something and wants to show that He is in charge? It is the Maker who can allow the human mind to find a cure after labouring for days and months. It is the Maker who makes us see the answer to the question we are asking and sweating. "Chebe m, nna!"
Imagine, our galaxy is not even observable in the universe, but look at the number of petitions from our world on the Maker's table! What a disturbance. If we are to reverse the siutation or humanize Him, then, one can put Him in a pitiable state. Imagine all the multi-tasking and more are arriving from some shithole and golden-street countries! As John Steinbeck imagined, some prayers may even be fighting with other prayers as they come in. You see, "Chebe m, nna!" but burn some of these useless, cantankerous, quarrelsome, Ghana-Must-Go, and stupid prayers coming! Why should anyone bother you?
Anyway, you are still right, Harcourt Whyte. The sea of troubles is raging. All around is wahala. Please, "Chebe m, nna!" We need you now particularly; yes, every moment. Are there sleeping in the canoe as the sea is raging near? Rise and command, "Peace, be still!"
In that song, I hear a plea, a desperate one. Forget all the arrogance. Can't you see, we are even trying to evoke familial feelings, calling you "father." So we know you are our "father" but chose to live on our own, "fatherless"? So, we really have a "father" who can giive us comfort and confidence now? O dikwa egwu. It is surprising. Things are changing fast. And humans are changing, too. That is good.
But that is even another reason for you to guide and protect us. Protect us from the pernicious changes. Protect us from changing humans. It is possibe that they are offspring of aliens and want to exterminate humans and take over this world. It is possible that these humans are the real viruses seeking to exterminate us. Protect us from humans that are not human!
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