Opene

This work is dedicated to every girl child struggling through the trauma of all forms of abuse; (sexual, physical, emotional, psychological or sociological) .There is still beauty left in the mess your predators made of your life, Remain strong.
You must arise and conquer!.

Mkpulumma presents the picture of an Igbo speaking community still involved in some harmful traditional practices. A girl must be circumcised and fully participate in an initiation ceremony before being deemed ready for marriage.

The novel narrates the tale of young people who by circumstance of birth were caught up in a tradition and culture that no longer made sense to them. These young ones registered their displeasure regarding these practices through all sorts of youthful antagonism.

Agaegbu, a poor widow and peasant farmer, needed to fulfill this traditional requirement for her last daughter Akudo. However, the young girl and her friend Onyinye considered the practice barbaric and would not have any of that. Stories of mishap following girls’ circumcision have been told to them and they would not allow that happen to them. They therefore carefully planned and successfully escaped to the city.

The ugly aspect of this practice was equally observed in another home, where a couple’s only child died, as a result
of complications during the process. Yet another home fell victim when their fourteen-year-old daughter eloped to the
city with her secret lover in an attempt to escape being married off to an old man, against her wish.