XXV.—How Two Bendega Young Men Changed their Skins.
Bendega is a town on the right bank of the Afi River, which runs into the Cross River opposite to Abaragha.
In this town many years ago there lived two young men called Abang and Oga ’Ngigor. Abang was famous for his personal beauty, and was recognized as the best wrestler, dancer, singer, and drum-beater in the country. Abang was never allowed to leave the town by his parents, as they thought he might be killed or get into trouble with other young men of his company, but in spite of this his fame as a singer and dancer, and stories of his manly beauty, had spread through all the neighbouring towns, and many people wanted to see him, but as he was a dutiful son he stayed at home and did not accept any of the numerous invitations he received from the various countries to attend their plays and dances, although he was frequently offered quite large numbers of rods and other presents to go. Needless to say, all the young girls of the country wanted to marry him, but he looked after himself very well and kept away from the women in general, having his own particular friend to whom he was on the whole fairly faithful. Oga ’Ngigor had also been a good wrestler, singer and dancer, until he caught a bad sickness which covered his whole body with sores. These sores were so bad that Oga could not walk about, and his body smelt so disgustingly that the people would not let him come near them. He was very poor, and consequently was often starving, as he was unable to go about and beg for food. While Oga was sitting down in his house feeling sad and miserable, he sometimes thought of Abang, who belonged to his company, and envied him his good looks and his popularity. So one day Oga went to Abang and asked him to change skins with him for a short while, as he would like to know what it felt like to be as strong and handsome as Abang was. He did this as he had made up his mind to run away in Abang’s skin and go round the country, where he knew the people would be certain to give him many presents. After he had flattered Abang for some time, he took off his skin and placed it on the ground and asked Abang to do the same so that they could change skins for a short time.
At first Abang refused, as he did not like the idea of putting on the dirty skin, so he asked Oga if the sores hurt. Oga at once replied that the sores never hurt him, and he only sat down so that the people should not look at him. Then Abang took his skin off and put on Oga’s, and Oga got into Abang’s skin as soon as he was able.
Now when Abang got into Oga’s skin he was unable to walk, and was obliged to sit down. Oga knowing this, directly he had got into Abang’s skin, ran down to the beach, and, jumping into a canoe, paddled himself across the Afi River, and ran off along the road to Akparabong as fast as he could go, leaving Abang sitting on the floor of the house calling to him to return at once and change skins. But Oga ran on without heeding his cries, until at last he arrived at the Akparabong farms. When he got near the town one of the natives of the country, through whose farm the path passed, told him that Chief Ojong Egussa was dead, and that his funeral was being kept at ’Nkanassa compound, where a big play was going on and much drinking and feasting.
This was good news for Oga, as he felt certain of a good reception, so when he came to the small stream just outside the town, where the people always wash on their return from their farms in the evening, he took off his cloth and had a good wash. He then washed the cloth he had been wearing, and put on his best one, which belonged to Abang, so as to make a good impression on the people. As soon as he was ready he went to the house where the funeral was going on, and told the people that he was the celebrated Abang from Bendega, whom they had wanted to see for such a long time. The people and chiefs were very glad to see him, and asked him to play and sing for them, which he did. The people were so pleased at having Abang to play for them, and admired him so much that when the funeral was over the chief presented him with some cases of gin, cloth and rods, and gave him some boys to carry his loads on the road to Ikom.
Oga then started off, and arrived at Adaginkpor early in the afternoon. He went to the head chief, who was an old man, and told him that he was Abang from Bendega, and that he was going round the country to visit the people. The chief welcomed him, and said he had often wished to see him, as many people spoke of his personal appearance and his good qualities. Oga stayed at Adaginkpor for a few days, during which time dances were held every night, as the moon was full, and all the people came in from their farms to see Abang and hear him play and sing.
When Oga left the town he received many more presents from the people, and the young men’s company carried his loads into Ikom, which is not far from Adaginkpor, and is a large town on the right-hand of the Cross River. The people of Ikom had heard from Adaginkpor that Abang was going to visit them, so they were ready for him, and gave him a big feast, and held a play which lasted several days, Oga taking his part in the playing, dancing and singing, as before. When he left Ikom, Oga was given more presents, and the chief lent him a large canoe and some paddles to take him to Okuni, a town a little lower down the river on the other side. Oga did the same at this town, and then went on to Okanga, and after a few days walked along the river bank to Enfitop. At each of these towns he received presents, and when he got to the next town, which is called ’Nporo Osilla, he crossed the big river again, and went through the Inde country, where all the people turned out to meet him, and when he left they gave Oga many yams and other presents, so that when he started off for the next town, which is called Inkum, he had a large number of carriers carrying his loads, which by this time had become very numerous.
Unfortunately for Oga, the chief of Inkum had heard from Abang’s parents that Oga had changed skins with their son and that he was travelling about the country collecting dashes in Abang’s name. When the chief heard that Oga had come, he at once sent a message to Abang’s parents requesting them to come to Inkum as soon as possible and to bring their son with them. The chief then greeted Oga and persuaded him to stay on from day to day, and told him that a play was being brought from Bendega.
When the people from Bendega came near the town of Inkum, Abang, who was disguised in the dress of an Egbo and covered from head to foot in a very fantastic costume, sent some boys to Oga with a message telling him to come out and meet them. Oga was so proud at hearing that a play had come all the way from Bendega to escort him to the town that he willingly went out to meet them, not knowing that the real Abang had come with them.
When Oga arrived at the place where the people who had brought the play were resting in the shade of some large trees which grew by the side of the path, Abang stood up, and having thrown the Egbo dress on one side, he took off Oga’s skin and placed it on the ground, at the same time telling Oga to do the like. At first Oga refused, and begged Abang not to shame him before all the people, but Abang insisted upon having his own skin back again, so Oga was forced to exchange. The people then knew that they had been deceived by Oga and that he had taken their presents wrongly. They told the real Abang that they were sorry they could not give him any more presents, and that the best thing he could do was to help himself from the things which had been given to Oga in his name. Abang however, was kind-hearted, and allowed Oga to keep all the presents he had received, as he was very poor and he was sorry for him having such a wretched body and being all covered with sores. And now whenever people are asked to change their skins they always refuse, but sometimes they will lend their best cloth to a friend.
Told by Abbassi of Inkum.—[22.7.10.]