Page 43 of Possessing the Prince

My visit to my mother’s home village of Nima was more than I expected. When my mother passed away, I was an infant. I never knew her smell or the warmth of her voice. I never knew what it felt like to be soothed by her or sit at her knee and learn about my ancestors. The kids I grew up with in Tafo could recite their patriarchal and matriarchal lines for ten or more generations, but I never could. I went to serve at the palace when I was eight. Serving Kofi only made me more insecure because once I learned my lineage, I could not identify with it.

Every Ashanti learns to recite the Asantehene’s line. But I could not claim it as my own, even if the Asantehene was my father. But here in Nima, I have a chance to hug aunts and uncles with joy and pride. I am able to shake hands with cousins and kiss children who share my mother’s blood. I get to visit the graves of my ancestors, pour libations, and pray. I saw my mother’s grave for the first time. I never knew where she was buried, but Afia, Adom’s mother, ensured she was returned home. I must thank her when I see her. Kofi joins me in prayer at her grave, and I realize just how much my brother loves me.

Seeing my mother’s place of final rest gave me the type of closure I have craved all my life. In Nima, I am not only accepted, I am celebrated. My mother is mourned by more than my silent tears. Everyone understands her importance.There is no shame.

Nima is my homeland and I am proud of it, but I can’t help noticing the lack of economic opportunity. My homeland is poor. Living in Tafo’s bush with Auntie Amma made me no stranger to poverty. Once I became Kofi’s right hand, I visited every corner of the Ashanti empire and many parts of the world. I’ve seen how people suffer from lack of resources. I regret hiding from my past and not pushing Kofi to take more of an interest in the lives of Ewe people. But I am here now, and things can be different.I can make a change.

There is much that can be done to provide all people with constantly running water and a stable electrical grid, but education is what people want most. The desire for education is the strongest I have ever encountered. Every child I met talked of wanting to go to school. While I am determined to make sure my blood relatives receive whatever they need to attend the school of their choice, my vision extends further than my immediate family. I want to give back to Nima in a larger way, and I intend to talk to Kofi’s wife Ella to see if she can build free schools here, as she is in Tafo and Kumasi. Money is no object. My people deserve more.

As the day closes, I take a look at Abena. My wife is barefoot, beautiful, and dancing with children in the doorway of one of my many uncles’ homes. She’s starting to show now that she is almost six months pregnant. She is gracious to every member of my family. She has danced with the elders, helped cook in the kitchen, and cleaned up when the celebration was over. She is truly my wife and I love her. I thank God every day that I have the privilege of waking up to her love.

When we told my family what happened at the shrine, they fussed over Abena, and the women bathed her and dressed her in the finest kente cloths they had. Her coffee-colored skin is glowing against the colorful fabric. Her long hair has been braided and piled on top of her head. She looks regal.

I come up behind her and wrap my arms around her growing belly. We are presented with fabric and dresses from the village’s best seamstresses. I take the bolts of fabric and Christian immediately comes over and relieves me of the load. My right hand is truly a lifesaver. I turn Abena around, kneel, and kiss her belly. This baby is my entire reason for living right now, and I cannot wait to meet him or her. I stand up and take Abena in my arms. “Come, I want to take you somewhere…”

We walk hand in hand away from the center of the village and head out to open land. The sun is about to set and I want to watch it come down with her at my side. I sit on the ground and help her down so that she is seated between my legs. I kiss the back of her head and squeeze her tight.

“M’akomam’ t?fe, I want to thank you.”

She turns slightly. “For what, Prince?”

“For making my life worth living. With you, my world has opened up, and everything I do will be for you and our family. I want you to know that.”

Tears prick her eyes as she turns around and straddles me.

“Well, Prince T’ogbe, you’ve done the opposite for me. My world has become very small, but very full. It consists of you, our family, and serving our people; and baby, that is all I need to feel free.”

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The End

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