among the elders who did not usually show their excitement so openly. It was as quick
as the other two, perhaps even quicker. But very few people had ever seen that kind of
wrestling before. As soon as the two boys closed in, one of them did something which
no one could describe because it had been as quick as a flash. And the other boy was
flat on his back. The crowd roared and clapped and for a while drowned the frenzied
drums. Okonkwo sprang to his feet and quickly sat down again. Three young men from
the victorious boy's team ran forward, carried him shoulder high and danced through the
cheering crowd. Everybody soon knew who the boy was. His name was Maduka, the
son of Obierika.
The drummers stopped for a brief rest before the real matches. Their bodies
shone with sweat, and they took up fans and began to fan themselves. They also drank
water from small pots and ate kola nuts. They became ordinary human beings again,
talking and laughing among themselves and with others who stood near them. The air,
which had been stretched taut with excitement, relaxed again. It was as if water had
been poured on the tightened skin of a drum. Many people looked around, perhaps for
the first time, and saw those who stood or sat next to them.
"I did not know it was you," Ekwefi said to the woman who had stood shoulder
to shoulder with her since the beginning of the matches.
"I do not blame you," said the woman. "I have never seen such a large crowd of
people. Is it true that Okonkwo nearly killed you with his gun?"
"It is true indeed, my dear friend. I cannot yet find a mouth with which to tell the
story."
"Your chi is very much awake, my friend. And how is my daughter, Ezinma?"
"She has been very well for some time now. Perhaps she has come to stay."
"I think she has. How old is she now?"
"She is about ten years old."