THE VINDICATION
Mama Adaugo could barely walk because she hadn't eaten in days but the women behind her told her that if she didn't walk they would continue beating her with the tree leaves. As Mama Adaugo was walking to the Dibia's shrine a crowd full of women followed her behind chanting songs of shame. The women began to shout Onye ne bghu madu! Onye ne bghu madu! Onye ne bghu madu! As she was walking slowly some women were pushing her while some were beating her with leaves from head to toe. A black wrapper was tied around her chest with charcoal rubbed all over her face. Mama Adaugo hadn't bathed for days. The only thing Mama Adaugo was given for the past two weeks was water to drink. Her in-laws gave her water so she would be alive to feel the wrath of Amadioha. As they got to the Okuku's shrine Mama Adaugo was ordered to sit on the floor. Her husband's brothers and uncles had brought her to the shrine to swear that she didn't kill her husband Papa Adaugo. Six weeks ago Papa Adaugo had died of suspicious circumstances. The day before his death he had gone to his palm wine shop to refill all his kegs with palm wine. When he got home he ordered Mama Adaugo to serve him his dinner. After eating he stayed outside until his eyes began to lose sight of what was happening around him. During the time he was dozing he almost fell off the wooden chair he...