he Hunting Festival
By: Silas1475


“Chankyu, I think it would be better to stop discussing and rest a
little, the hunting party won’t get to our village till about 9.00pm”
My mother’s voice flirted out from the kitchen.
“Mom I can wait, sleep can wait till am back” I replied back.

“So tell me Bubor, what kind of animals can be caught in Chu forest?
Are there dangerous animals there?” I blasted my friend with so many
questions.
“Ofcus, there are really wild animals, I once encountered a large
python with yellow fangs, it was really big and frightened everyone
till some old experienced group of herbalists used local charms and
medicines to subdue and finally killed it, everyone were really
scared” Bubor explained, my siblings had already gathered around us
urging him to tell us more. He oblique of course, and kept feeding my
tender ears with exciting tales I could not even touch my food because
of the excitement.
Very soon, loud drums flirted into our ears, the hunting squad had
finally gotten to my village, I quickly grabbed my arrows and bows and
rushed out with my friend towards the direction of the sound of the
drumming, they hunting party were gathered in their hundreds as more
boys joined them, more than half of them just reaching the age of
sixteen, that was the official age to partake in the hunting festival
which took place on the last day of the year.

The Chu forest hunting festival took place on the 31st of December and
runs overnight into the New Year, only young boys from the ages of
sixteen upwards were permitted to partake together with seasoned
hunters and elderly medicine men from all the whole villages in Mada
land, it brought about togetherness and unity between villages. I had
just turned sixteen and could not wait any longer for the hunting
party to dance to the next village which would be the last before the
hunting festival starts.

Maybe I might be lucky to experience what Bubor told me about, maybe I
might see more. Maybe I might come back to tell my own tales, I just
could not wait……

A touch of hope by bhenehdikt

It was on a cold harmattan morning, mama was the first to wake up. 'This was unusual of mama', I said to myself after waking up - due to the several times she sniffed her nose like one who had taken a finger-dose of snuff (tobacco). She was still seated on the old bamboo bed with her hands supporting her jaw like wood used to wedge pawpaw tree from falling.
I cleaned my eyes several times to be sure it was mama I saw; I had never seen her cry before (papa in many occasion had boast about her bravery amongst his friends). Even when Nneka was sick to the point of no return, mama was very strong like the iroko tree.
I was drowned in my own thoughts trying to figure out what it might have been that relegated her to this melancholic state. Embittered as I was and curious as well, I decided to ask mama to know what the problem was.
Mama had barely opened her mouth to speak when suddenly she burst in tears and could only mutter some words. I could barely hear a word as she was sounding more like the old radio papa sometimes hangs its antenna on the roof to get clear signals.
Like raw fufu inside hot boiling water, mama gathered herself together. In her own words she said, ''how do we cope in this New Year?'' Whom shall we lose this time around to the "cold arms of death"?
This didn't come as a shocker to us as past new years had either met us mourning over one family relative or another. Firstly it was papa who died barely two days after crossing-over into the new year;then follow shortly by mazi Okonta who fell from a tree while tapping wine. Tufiakwa! "Mama, no one will die this time around", Ebere cut-in, looking like one who was been chased by a masquerade. "Our 'Chi' will see us through these turbulent times and this year will bring good tidings", she continued. Somehow, these words seemed to have magically brought mama back from the ennui of sadness into the reality of the day.
After about four Eke market days, the family gathered around their local shrine with cocks, thanking their gods for seeing them through what was usually a time of mourning in the family.

Bhenehdikt

CALL ME BY ADINIJE

She was seated on bed when they walked in
“Hello girl” she greeted her roommate, Nancy
“Hi Ivy, you didn’t go for lectures today.” Replied Nancy as she
motioned her boyfriend to sit down on the only chair in their one room
apartment.
“Yes my dear. Today is my lecture free day.” Ivy quipped. “Who’s that
with you? Ivy asked as she stared as the young man lustfully.
“Oh! Forgive my manners.” Nancy exclaimed, “Frank please meet my
roommate and sister Ivy” she turned to Ivy; “Meet my boyfriend Frank
the one I told you about.”
“It is nice meeting you” she said as she offered him her hand.
Frank received her hand and replied, “The feeling is mutually my dear.”
Ivy was reluctant in disentangling her hand from Frank’s as she smiled
at him seductively. Nancy who was oblivion of the tension in the room
was busy bring out packet of juice and chin-chin from the table top
refrigerator beside her reading desk. She settled on the bed beside
Ivy as she fills the three glasses before her with orange juice. They
chat and laughed while doing justice to the chin-chin and juice. Ivy
ceased every opportunity she got to wink at Frank who tried as much as
possible to avoid her gaze. That made him uncomfortable that he
decided to leave earlier than he wanted to. Ivy and Nancy saw him off
to the juncture. Ivy stylishly slipped a piece of paper into Frank’s
palm when she was sure Nancy wasn’t watching, but someone was
watching. As soon as the ladies left, Frank tore the paper into four
pieces and discards it, and then boards a bike to his lodge. Once he
was out of sight, the guy was had been seated under the shade of a
mango tree watching, took a drag from cigarette tucked between his
fingers. He dropped and smashed it, walked to the juncture and picked
the pieces of paper and key in the phone number in his phone.
He waited till 7pm before dialing the number, “hello babe, I know u
have been expecting my call, meet me in front of governor’s hall”
“I will be there” she chuckles.
He ended the call before she could say any other thing. A mischievous
played on his lips, ‘only if she knew what had coming’.

Dance To The gods!! by ksslib

"Wont you go to sleep? It's just tomorrow,you know. Earth won't spin two days ahead while sleeping" I said, approaching him. He was sitting in the middle of the dark compound.
It was late in the night, i could swear everyone in the village was fast asleep. Even the moon was stingy with its shine, as the lantern lit by Ghenero was the only source of light illuminating the earth within a 50km stretch.
He chuckled. "Iam just excited because tomorrow, i will become a man".
I tapped the back of his head, "Man or not, that wouldn't stop me from flogging you".
"We'll see about that" he fired back, jumped on my back as we made for the hut.
It was morning already,i could feel the excitement in the air. At nightfall,which was just few hours left of the new year,fathers and mothers were going to witness their 17yr old boys become men at the village square. We called it- Age Group Festival.
It was the biggest event we always looked forward to. Was it the naked dance by virgins, free food, the masquerade or wrestling match by the villages strongest?
I watched Ghenero as he sang a chorus warriors sang and swung the broom gleefully, whistling along as he swept the compound like he enjoyed the work. Very unusual of him, but given the occasion, I perfectly understood.
Smiling, i felt proud as i watched my excited little brother. I've been his pillar, mother and father since we lost both parents 10yrs ago when i was 18 and our bond has even grown much stronger. We've been through alot together as a team.
The noise from the not so friendly looking items that hugged the Chief priest's staff brought me back to reality.
"To what do we owe this visit, great one" I greeted, bowing my head as a sign of respect.
I got no reply. He just dropped a dark brown native fowl and left. I knew what it meant.
Ghenero ran towards me in excitement at the gift but as he approached, i didnt see my little brother. I saw a boy chosen by the gods. A boy who was going to die at the village square by nightfall. He was never going to become a man.
"The gods are indeed crazy" I muttered as a tear drop fell down my cheek.

THE CHECKLIST by sammoe


He had been thinking of what would have happened if he had not sent the report before the midnight deadline. It was amazing how much he accomplished in seven and a half hours of frenetic activity – drafting, writing, re-writing, typing and clicking the send button. He had just checked off the last item on his work to-do list. Jerry stroke his bare chin at the realisation that the year’s work was officially over as he yelled, “I’m the boss!”. No one could have heard him. He was alone. He looked at his watch as he packed his bag. It was 10:57 pm. He had no business at the office till the New Year. With only five days to go, he was sure it had not been a bad year. He felt his right palm itch and he smiled. 2015 was going to be better.
Meanwhile he had to hurry home. His shirt sleeves were rolled up, tie loosened and stomach empty. He needed a few days outside Lagos. That could wait though. There was an important date tomorrow. He had to be on point. He could already see Jay sitting in front of him. He smiled. She was the last item on his 2014 checklist. New job. Check. New apartment. Check. Girlfriend. Almost checked. This girl was positively different, a breath of fresh air. He knew the attraction was mutual. With no other guy in the picture, he had to be quick about it. She had to know how much he loved her. Tomorrow was going to be great. With such blissful thoughts in his head, he narrowly missed hitting a strange figure.
Jerry shuddered as it turned. It was like a scene out of those nollywood movies. This feminine figure was covered in white from head to toe. She expertly balanced a calabash bedecked with cowry-like stuff and walked slowly as her lips moved in rhythm. He swerved into his street and slowed down as he approached his residence. He could not believe what he had just seen. He checked the rear view mirror.
With relief he shut the front door. His two hands were still shaking. As he emptied the contents of his pockets, he noticed an unread BBM message. Jerry unlocked his phone with a swipe. For the second time that evening, his right palm itched. This time he was not sure what it meant.

These are the entries I have received...Any issues or inconsistencies may be pointed out on the comment thread. I would do my best to sort it out.

A hearty weldone to all contestants for their gallant effort; as I have implied in the Challenge rules, this contest is not for the unskilled or the non-gifted, the First stage of moderation will now commence.

Entries in this stage will be judged on:

Plagiarism check

Adherence to rules-
The rules for the Challenge are as follows=

1 This competition is ONLY open to Nairalanders.

2 Only one submission per entry. Each submission must be a prose written in any theme of your choice, (comedy, romance, tragedy etc).

3 Entries must be original; not previously published on any online or print media. Entries will be vetted for plagiarism and disqualified if guilty.

4 Entries MUST NOT EXCEED 400 WORDS.

5 Submissions are to be written in EITHER clear, grammatical english OR clear, pidgin english.

6 All entries are to be titled.

7 This edition is woven around the New Year - the promise and excitement it holds. Also, stories must depict the African culture - beliefs, festivals, systems etc - both in narrative and plotting.

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Over to you, judges.
Larrysun, repogirl.

Hello everyone!!
It's been exciting and entertaining reading through each entry. What raw creativity! All entries were special, they spoke to me in several ways; while some made me sober, others saw me giggling into my palm. Still some others caused me to pause and daydream, till my colleagues called me back to earth. Lol.
One thing about all of them though- I learned something new or was reminded of something old. I truly enjoyed the read.

Moderations for the first stage were successful and on behalf of the judges, I present to you, in no particular order of merit, the Champions for the first stage:

Chiamaka's dilemma by spacefreak
Grief of a Zulu muse by OMA4U
Picture in the frame by mrfils
Yepala's price by eillo
Biodun b Awesomeb1783
The hottest dawn by ruffhandu
The wedding test by drachel
An encounter with the masquerades by martin92
When we think we are right by Lionize
The masquerade by the rock5555
A touch of hope by bhenedikt
The checklist by sammoe
New year gifts for the poor by Simonhabby
Waiting for the morning by theorbiters
The crossover dance by swifayo
New year's eve in Umuoka by EverestdeBliu
Tales of Sule by phate4rmercury
Afulu by anakadrian
Blinded by clarity by adjain
The new year resolution by divepen
Hunting festival by Silas1475
Running from the future by pureivory

For those that did not make it through this stage, please, do not give up writing. You all have something special, its a pity we were constrained by the rules. I look forward to seeing you pick up the next Challenge...whenever that comes.
Hugs and weldone!

Larrysun, Repogirl and I will be happy to meet you on the comment thread and explain our decisions.
Thank you for participating. 'Preciate it truly.

Moderations for the Second stage will begin tomorrow with Royver and Yuzedo doing the honors.
Entries shall be judged on technical grounds:

Narrative/descriptive consistencies
Syntax, lexis and structure
Plot, context/concept correctness
Grammatical, punctuational errors and typos

Moderations will run for a week, and the shortlist will be produced on Monday,26th January 2015.


Please stay tuned, it gets even more interesting.

My Favourites are:

WAITING FOR THE MORNING by The Orbiters (70%)

BLINDED BY CLARITY by Adjain. (70%)

AFULU by Anakadrian. (70%)

NEW YEAR GIFTS FOR THE POOR (By Simonhabby) (75%)

THE HOTTEST DAWN by Ruffhandu (75%)

YEPALA’S PRICE by eillo (70%)

Hey folks,
So, moderations for the Second stage are done, and the entries that made it through have been posted -in no particular order, but you need to note the scores.

The train will be chugging along to the final stage now. Two winners will emerge, 1st place and Runner up....and the onus rests with Caracta.
Like other judges, she'll have one week to crack her brains, bite her fingers and...reach a final decision. Lol. I don't envy her. There's been a lot of expectation and agonizing over the final results..and left to me, Ill just simply share the money amongst all six entries Biko. Lol. They are all winners like that... Thankfully, it has never been left to me.

Cara, youre up girl!! The floor is yours..

Finally, we are here.

I apologize for every minute we kept you waiting for updates.

Beautiful stories in all. Every effort that was put in this deserves an applause.

To those who didn't read the instructions, bravo! To those who read but didn't understand, wonderful! To those who read, understood but decided to shift base, congratulations.

I want to believe that we have all learnt "something" from this, no matter how minute. If this competition doesn't make you better off in any way, then you would need to put on a garment of prayer.

Straight to the point:

THIRD POSITION: BLINDED BY CLARITY by Adjain!

I must confess, I LOVE this story. I read it twice and I went "OMG" the first time. It felt real and i just hope it's not based on a true-life experience. Thumbs up Adjain for sharing this beautiful piece with us.

SECOND POSITION: THE HOTTEST DAWN by Ruffhandu!
Don't you just love our culture? Can be very annoying, funny, scary and weird...all woven into one piece. The strong feature of culture made an interesting read. Good plot and construction of tenses. Thumbs up Ruffhandu for the cultural "awareness". Beautiful story.

FIRST POSITION: NEW YEAR GIFTS FOR THE POOR- Simonhabby!
Simonhabby, how you were able to write this beautiful story in few words is beyond me. Words fail me to describe the expression on my face when i got to the end of the story. Serves them right...after all, the gifts were meant for the poor and the guy did just that. This story should be a National Anthem. These things happen everyday. The people that need the National Cake the most cannot even smell it. Politics, culture, love, compassion, understanding...all woven into this beautiful story. I just love every bit of it! Thumbs up Simonhabby. APC/PDP needs to pay for this storyline to campaign effectively. Good job.

To everyone that participated, especially those that made it to the final round (TheOrbiters, Anakadrian and Eillo), thank you for participating. If not for some errors and non-adherence to the rules, you would have given us a good run for the prize. All in all, you have all done well.

To all the judges, i know i'm not quite familiar with this section but i appreciate every one of you. Good job. Brilliant! I respect your judgment.

Whitemosquito, thank you for this great honour. Nice one. May God reward you.

Update: There is a prize for THIRD position (courtesy of our generous sponsors). So dear Adjain, we have a little "something" to wet your pen with ink. Keep writing.

Winners should please pm me their bank details. Biko, use the mail in my Nairaland profile o. My village people don swear for my yahoo mail.
Thanks.

So aptly wrapped up by Grace personified, Caracta.
Nothing else to add to this...'cept to say a huge Thank you to the Judges.. Y'all came through for me. I appreciate it deeply.

Larrysun and Repomama, God bless you richly.
Royver, I stressed the h.ell outta you, Thanks.
Caracta, I wish I could say all you've done....but I sense you wouldn't like that. Thank you sounds too simple, yet I feel You'll appreciate it the most.. From my heart, Thank you.

Adjain, it was your story that got me day dreaming in the middle of the afternoon..I completed that story in my head. Lol. Powerful stuff.

Simonhabby, Ruffhandu, Congratulations! I expect to see you in the next Challenge. Gird your loins, it will be harder than this.

To all Challengers, thank you for honoring the invitation. I hope that it was as good for you as it was for me. Lol. If you didn't learn anything kpatakpata, you at least learned to be patient with the White mosquito. In the immortal words of Dr Sid, "Surulere o!"

Till the next battle,
More ink to your pens, power to your batteries and data to your device.
Happy writing!!

Wow congrats to them winners and Wonderful effort from the judges and our own missy Whilte.. But wait I'm not Happy!

Not even a bottle of coke for us, Ah AH we need to be cheered up naa,

Whew! FINALLLLLLLYYYYY.

Thanks for organizing this, White Mosquito. This is the most fun I've had on nairaland in a long while.

Thanks to the judges. Your lack of bias is a glorious thing to behold. Your knowledge of the nuances of writing and the understanding of behind-the-scenes plot crafting was just simply...exemplary.

The comments you gave, Caracta, and White Mosquito on my piece is all the prize I need. And (PS) it really isn't a true story LOL. I have simply been spending too much time - I guess - wondering what happens if a mentally-challenged person comes to his senses, and this was the product of it.

I am also glad for the third place consideration. I am thrilled.

You just made my year and we're not even done with the first quarter

Aww..*hugs* adjain.

Chrisviral, I'm looking for a bottle with your name on it, don't worry, ill send it by courier.

Simonhabby, Enjoy it.

Congratulation to the winners and every participant. Thank you, Whitemosquito and the judges.

God bless your pen.

Organize something like this again na!

Talius:
Organize something like this again na!

seconded