The Scars of An African Girl

Book excerpt: Muriel is watching her favourite TV programme when Izobo walks through the living room, into the bedroom she shares with her sisters. This is not the first time Muriel is seeing this woman in their house. Though only ten at the time, Muriel still remembers the horror that filled her heart; as the cries of Sandra (her eldest sister), filled the entire house after Izobo arrived in the house. On asking why Sandra was crying, her mother had told her that Sandra was being turned into a complete woman. Muriel didn't understand. When she tried to ask, Mother had dismissed her in one of her usual ways. But Muriel is determined to find out this time. So, she peeps through the keyhole, into the room where Christabel is locked in with the priestess. She watches with horror, as blood splashes on the mat on which Christabel lays: as the priestess bents over her. As Christabel lay on the mat, groaning in pains, Muriel remembers again, the sound of cries and screams that came out of that room the first time Izobo visited their house. Then, it struck her: sooner or later, it would be her turn! But Muriel was nothing like her sisters: she was strong-willed, resilient and obstinate; and would not let anyone lock her up in a room with a woman who brings nothing, but pain and agony into their home...