HOW COCA COLA (COKE) WAS INTRODUCED TO UKPAH IN BEKWARRA.

BY USHIE SUNDAY A. (Fiction)

Ukpah is one among the most populous ward in Bekwarra Local Government Area of Cross River State. The people are known for her good palm wine, good looking men and beautiful ladies and their quest for education.

However, the popular coca cola how it was introduced to Ukpah remain a magadamious stories.

"A beautiful Ukpah lady went to the river to fetch water and she saw this attractive looking coca cola at the bank of the river. At first she was afraid to touch it because it was glowing and shining like Ukpana (gold) she looked for a dry stick and touched it to be sure she won't disappear. Then she took it and put in her calabash and returned home happily without fetching water.

When she got home, she first showed it to her husband. The husband saw it and streamed that night shouting " Mbiri eeh mbiri eeh" Meaning abomination abomination. He ran out and called all the family within his kindred to come and see what the wife has done.

That evening the compound was silent as everyone was steering at the bottle of coca cola in the middle of them. They were amazed and terrified while others were happy. Some were contemplating what might be inside the bottle while some Said what is inside is a water of life and anyone who touches it or drink from it will never die.

As they think wide, one of the elder said he thinks this was a gift from their gods, while another elder by name Idang said this is a crop from the soil and another elder by name Okachi said this is a food from the sea.

Finally they asked the woman where she got it from she said from the bank of the river. One of the elder said in his language "mkang nang" Meaning I said it nodding his head filled with grey hairs.

The kindred finally agreed that since this is what this woman has brought upon them, she has to drink it to know if it's really what they think. As others refused she shouldn't drink the strange thing, the oldest elder finally gave his verdict that she should be forced to drink it or she would be punished.

The woman opened the drink after trying for several hours finally it was open and she used calabash (ikpete) to fetch it to drink. As she was about to drink it, her family and husband were crying and singing farewell songs as they thought she was going to die.

This was the song "Udimiyi ye tantan
- Ye' tantan ye tantan
- Abere eba na' ebene fuo
(go well my friend go well we shall meet again)

She drank it, brought down the calabash and smile, she drank again and did same and smile.. She said in her language "iyin kin' meaning is very sweet. When she called the husband to taste it he was still afraid but after he did he said " Ebetuo enibuo eheee!!! Meaning foreign drink!! That night the community celebrate this woman for being the first to introduce foreign drink to their community.

The following day the community donate money and took the family on a horse to a popular town called Abouchiche for them to take studio pictures showing the world what the gods has done.

Thank you very much.

I remain
USHIE SUNDAY A.

Nice creative! I think Coca-Cola need to read this sanction it for onward publication in their global journal

Funny guy