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CARNIVAL

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The Cranium
(@the-cranium)
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Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 36
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1. You are from the streets—not the one with paved roads and interlocks. You're from where the earth is brown, sometimes grey with litters forming a beautiful mess. The thing you know about carnivals is that it comes in different shades like “End of The Year Youth Party”, “Youth Street Jamz" and a host of others.

Where you are from, the December harmattan is characterised by ropes hanging from electricity poles with overplayed DVDs glistering in the air—the only way they can be recycled is to have them decorate the streets by hanging between thin ropes. What you know about carnivals is street urchins barricading the roads and extorting money from unsuspecting commuters. The scrupulous ones just find another route to follow. That is not all, you know that carnivals are held at night with various large speakers standing on a wooden stage to disrupt the sleep of the neighbourhood. You also know that gate fee is free for ladies only—you like free things but you're not a female.

You don't participate because you're disciplined. The only thing you do is to sing along to the faint groovy beats blaring through the speakers kilometres away from your bed. You know exactly what “Till Mama Calls” mean. So, you anticipate the morning bringing news of bottles clashing against heads and the sharp edges forking through intestines like instant noodles. Sunlight radiates on used condoms and sachet gin as if to create an exothermic reaction. You know all these. What you don't know is that your sister was groped by unknown men the previous night. The used condom you're staring at presently is the one that popped her cherry. Well, she likes free things.

***

2. Many carnivals later, you left home and met with people. Now, you know about carnivals that held during the day. The one you learnt about people's culture by wearing colourful attires. The one that came with face paintings and masks. The one that radiated unity and peace through smile and colour. Not the one that made you an uncle.

— Abdulhameed Ridwan O


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Dr. Kennedy O. Obohwemu
(@penkup)
Prominent Member Admin
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 862
 

Beautiful short story. Doesn't quite fit into this contest category, does it? 


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