We have so much money, that we do not know what to do with them. I decided to embark upon ambitious projects, from housing, roads and to bridges construction. Agriculture was doing very well and this accounted for more than 80% of gross domestic product.

The wealth of a man was determined largely by the size of his family, these include the number of wives, slaves and servants in his household. Agriculture was the main  source of livelihood. The land was very fertile and rainfall plentiful. There was hardly any reason for complaints. A hardworking man was able to produce more than enough for his family need and still have surplus to sell at the Eke market.

The outside world was largely unknown to many, people were self contented, children were happy and played with one another. There was little or no knowledge of a conventional government or its economic and fiscal policies amongst the populace. Children and women were respondent to the head of the house which is the man,  while this man in turn responds to his kinsmen, except in a very serious matter the traditional ruler or Eze steps in. The traditional ruler exercises authority within his inherited jurisdiction and often in consultation with his cabinet of chiefs and the chief priest who is the eyes, ears and mouth piece of the gods. The Palace guards protect the Eze, carry his messages across to the villagers and help enforce his authority.

The Eze‘s ruling on every matter was final without the right to appeal, offenders were required to confess their crimes under oath, they may be fined for minor offenses or banished entirely from the land for very serious crimes, however this rarely happens.

Somehow, it was an organized society in its own way, things function accordingly, men were very hardworking tilling the ground for planting crops, the able ones were prosperous and able to support their large families. The exemplary ones ended up with several traditional titles for their positive contribution or lifelong achievement in the society.

Locks and keys were absent those days, stealing was an abomination in the land and the consequence of such was madness inflicted by the gods of the land, known and feared by all. The Spirits were not only serving as protector but also as executors of justice.

For many years agriculture thrived and prospered in the land, families had well stocked up yam barns, surplus peas and corn from previous season. The backyard flourishes with fresh pepper, tomatoes and fruited pumpkins. Ripe Mangoes were falling to the ground carelessly, while there was no container left to collect ripe oranges and pawpaw. The smell of fresh fruits and vegetables saturate the air, most families grew more than they could get rid of.

Weeds tend to compete for resources with legitimate crops. One would regularly have to weed different kind of food crops for germinating in unwanted places. Sweet potatoes was the most stubborn, it can grow and take over the entire lots within days. Any seed that torch the bare ground germinates!

Idol worshipping was the only known form of worship. This was often done by reciting incantations, praising the idol and making request while subsequently pouring gin and offering it kola nuts. The tradition was acceptable to the people as was passed on from their ancestors. It was the duty of every household to preserve such tradition for the sake of posterity. To be continued.

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