WHEN ELESINMETA BECKONS

By Ishola Gbenga 
Elesinmeta is my country home. I don't like calling it a village. It is a civilized place where everyone will like to visit especially, during the yuletide period such as Christmas, New year, Easter, Sallah popularly known as Ileya or occasionally. It is a place far away from the pollution and noise of the city where you feel a connection with the soil in a village.

I still look forward to spending time in the village, waking up to the crowing of cocks at dawn, soaking in the clean and fresh air, going with my peers to the river to swim and fish and even roast yam by the banks. It now looks like these things never happened. Periods like this will never seize from giving those who grew up in the village a strong sense of humor and nostalgia.

There are trees, a variety of crops, diversity of flowers. Elesinmeta is surrounded by Rivers such as Oyi, Ogbe, Odo, Popo, Lekeleke, Akomongba, Alagbon, Ogbeloke and others. There are also mountains and lots more. All these natural tourist attractions, no doubt make one feel the cold breeze at night and a warm but pleasant breeze in the day. You can always feel at home whenever you are in that environment called Elesinmeta.

I love my village. The peoples over there are dedicated to their work. Even at old age, they have more strength and capacity that work for them than relocating to urban areas. We have both religion in my village. Our people love God. They serve God too. Our people don't fail in attending the daily morning devotion where they always come together to call on God for his intervention in one accord. The elderly do call it "Ago Idaji or Periya (meaning prayer). They're always already awake before the morning bell. You don't want to miss the daily headcount. 

In Elesinmeta, people live in peace and harmony and you hardly hear of unresolved conflict of any kind. The Christians among us would always wake up the Muslims to go for their early supplication in the Mosque, while the Muslims don't fail in doing same in return. My village people come forward in each other sorrows and happiness. They identify with one another and they are of helpful nature.

Located in Ilorin East LGA of Kwara State, Elesinmeta exists in a low lying area that has a warm summer and a chilly winter. Mostly, it is a place to visit during summer. It is far cooler than the city during the summer where you do not need air conditioners. The natural feel of breeze is enough to keep one fine. You see greenery and almost every household has a minimum of one tree in their courtyards.

Personally, I am so much in love and always at home with the fresh and revitalizing air whenever I am in Elesinmeta. The air gives a feeling of refreshment even if you have slept for 4-5 hours. Most importantly, at night, you see and count stars which one can hardly do in the city. Everything at home is fresh and natural! Fresh fish. Fresh air. Fresh vegetables. Fresh Bush meat and Fresh look.

Our rural socio-cultural conditions are rich in traditions, and it is interesting to know and learn about them. The men go down flat to greet the elders, while women go on their knees. The elders do also exchange early morning greetings from household to the other. They hardly address you by your name, but your local name known as Oriki. Such as Akanbi ooo. Adigun oooo. Alake oooo. Agbeke oooo and lots more.

It is a community that has produced diligent people of substance who are doing well at their field of calls and classifications and by extension, giving back to the community. Little wonder one of those pre nursery school poems "Oh My Home" came to mind again. Indeed, when shall I see my home? When shall I see my country home? I will never forget my home Elesinmeta.

Here comes another time to visit home. Here comes another time to see and appreciate one another again. Here comes another opportunity to exchange gifts and banters. Here comes another time where people will feel free to dine and wine together in love. From the pounded yam and bush meat in Oke- Atenge compound to dry fish and frog at Ile Baale. From Rice and Fanta at Ile-Ago to Rice and fried chicken at Ile-Oroki. From the Semovita, Egusi soup and fish in Saare compound to Amala and dry fish in Oke-Panu.

Have I mentioned a keg of palm wine with a natural temperature taken under that age long rock called Olonkoro? Have I mentioned our way of local entertainments with the presence of Iya Nanjimu from Ajelende who always get us thrilled with her voice and talking drums? 

Please come home for this Christmas and let's explore the ambiance of Elesinmeta my hometown. Wishing you all happy Christmas and New year celebration in advance. See you all at home. Odun Ayo Lao Seoo!




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