Egusi no get shem
The common melon plant called egusi is cultivated
all over the country and soin pidgin, we say fo Naija, no ples we egusi
no de. In comparison with other meals, egusi soup is one of the most
popular in the country, which makes it easy to distinguish between a
well-prepared one from di wonwit wota wota (watery).
In pidgin, it is common to hear pipul de se, beta
sup na moni kil am; meaning any well-prepared soup costs a fortune. Bot
fo fud mata, na wetin pesin sabi; no bi hau mosh pesin spend; meaning
as far as the preparation of soup is concerned, one’s skill in cooking
is vital. Like soups, most human beings offer very unpleasant “flavours
” that contrast sharply with the huge efforts and resources expended in
raising them. Similarly, it can be very disappointing if after spending
so much on a particular project; one gets a displeasing result.
In Abuja where we have so many bai fos bachelos an
manshelos, most men patronise different restaurants daily to get the
best deal.
Every month, civil servants find it hard surviving twenti hongri; the brief period preceding the payment of salaries.
At this time, there is a huge decline in
after-work hang out sessions with friends. It’s also not the best of
times for guests planning to pay one a visit. And bikos e get as tins
de bi, (things could be really rough), a friend of mine in the bai fos
machelos club, once invited a “sista” to do him a nice egusi soup to
see him through the next week. For him, it was another way of saving to
ensure a smooth “roll on” to the end of the month. Hau pesin go de go
restorant evride? He asked rhetorically.
On this appointed day, the “sista” was on hand to
prepare the soup. It was a day to remember as yours truly was present
to partake in a special weekend lunch session. At the end, we all gave
kudos to the lady for her awesome cooking skills. It was proof of the
fact that no bi evri taim plenti moni de bring beta sup.
It was such a nice time that it reminded me of
those days when my mum would prepare very sumptuous meals wit smol smol
moni (little money). But unfortunately, on the following day, my friend
was “weeping ” as he informed me of what had befallen the soup. It lost
its original taste (di sup don sawa) due largely to his carelessness.
Why should such a thing should happen to us at a
critical time when wi de put tu an tu togeda to sovaiv, he lamented. E
bi laik se yu no wom am wel; I remarked (it looks like you didn’t warm
it properly before going to bed).
Thereafter, my friend had to put a call through to
the gracious ‘sista’ who had produced the “once upon a time” delicious
meal. According to him, he wanted her to set her eyes on the the soup
so as to fully appreciate the “niu kondishon”. As she arrived, she
walked straight to the kitchen and was amazed at the sorry sight. The
following discussion ensued between them:
Sista:Yu sho se yu wom di sup wel? (Are you sure you warmed the soup properly?)
Mai Frend: Yes
Sista: Ah neva si dis kain tin bifoNa wa! Egusi no
get shem (I have never experienced this before. Surprising! Egusi is
shameless).
Captivated by the lady’s comment, I was moved to
apply it to my own experiences. I have this strong belief that the
popularity of egusi soup inNigeria doesn’t make it the best of the wide
variety we have. A
well-prepared soup attracts compliments to the
chef, at any material time. As humans, we can’t be at our best all the
time, but striving to remain relevant at all times is very important.
Prompt attention to issues saves us from future embarrassments. The one
that prepared the egusi soup was well commended but the soup was not
well cared for after she left and things “fell apart”.
The sour part of us is demonstrated daily in the
display of sycophancy. Egusi fit no get shem, bot manpikin sopoz get
shem! (Human beings should command of respect and dignity).
Shikena!
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