Summary

Chapter Seven. On the day of the Festival of New Pumpkin Leaves, Ezeulu’s younger wife Ugoye worries about what harm will visit her household in the aftermath of her son Oduche’s treatment of the sacred python. Treated sharply by Matefi, Ezeulu’s senior wife, Ugoye finds comfort in the companionship of Akueke, and together the two of them, with their handfuls of new pumpkin leaves, go into the market square of the village for the Festival. There, they encounter Obika and his friends, already far into the celebratory palm wine and making jokes about the impending arrival of Obika’s new bride. As the people of Umuaro’s six villages gather, excitement builds, fueled by pulsing drum music and singing. As the excitement reaches its peak, Ezeulu appears, and leads the community in a ritual of cleansing – all...