Harachi Nnamchi (2023) Ka chi foo nu. Akure: Gems Publishing.
Overview
• Ka Chi Foo Nu is a collection of five short stories
• The stories are about love, life, loss, and other intense emotions women feel.
• The book challenges the idea of male dominance in Nigerian society.
• Women’s daily lives in Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria, inspire the stories.
About the author:
• Harachi Nnamchi is a self-taught author from Nsukka, Nigeria
• She is interested in telling stories centred around women
Beyond the statistics lies a tapestry of lost lives. Ka chi foo nu” weaves together a series of moving narratives that give voice to women whose lives were tragically ended – directly or indirectly – by men, shining a light on the pervasive issue of femicide. The collection is a powerful indictment of a society that continues failing to protect its women. Through evocative storytelling, it shines a light on the systemic issues that contribute to gender-based violence and sexual assault in Nigeria and demands a reckoning with this urgent crisis.
Each narrative poignantly reminds readers of the vibrant lives cut short, leaving behind loved ones, dreams, and unfulfilled potential. Through vivid descriptions and emotional honesty, the author brings these women back to life, allowing readers to connect with their unique personalities, aspirations, and the profound impact of their loss on their families and communities.
The first story, “Our Husband”, is written as a letter from a woman to her best friend Nwanneka, basically leaving instructions for how she must raise her two children after she is gone. It details the lessons Nwanneka must instil in them to avoid any brainwashing by their father – the unrepentant cheat who inadvertently caused the end of her life. Some readers would argue, however, that this character had chosen to die to let a man ultimately decide the end of her story when she could very quickly have opted to take the treatments and live a long, entire life for her daughters. If you’re anything like this reviewer, you will find it more difficult to feel much sympathy for her. But it’s a sad story; it still is. It shows there isn’t much justice, and karma isn’t always a B-word to the right person.
The titular story, ‘Ka chi foo nu’, takes us into the life of a young girl. We are not told her name, but we certainly feel the many pains she has to endure at the hands of her parents. Though she has a supportive aunt who could have helped her, it’s never quite the same as the love and care of your parents, who you live with and who have a biological duty to protect you. Feelings of inadequacy and being undeserving of love ultimately led to the tragic end of her life… and a fresh understanding of the title – which means “good night to you all” in Igbo – breaks your heart afresh.
“My Man” is a horrifying story of betrayal and injustice. It gives us a glimpse into the life and relationship of a sick and dying woman. There is some contention about who gets something after she goes. Even though she knows why she is at death’s door and who is responsible, she still feels something akin to love for him. The end is a shocking twist that leaves a bitter taste in the reader’s mouth at the sheer unfairness of it all.
The intricate web woven in “Our Priest” leads to an interesting outcome that leaves the reader with many questions that will go unanswered, as is the nature of short stories. It is also a much-needed reminder about wolves in sheep’s clothing and that not all who seem innocent must be trusted.
And finally, “Our Son” is a gut-wrenching tale that shows that even though there are no physical bruises, emotional abuse can be just as catastrophic as physical abuse. It warps the mind in a way that has the most unlikely people doing the most improbable things. This story, I believe, is also an advocacy piece for psychological therapy and the absolute need for it. It is often looked down upon in these parts, with the mistaken assumption that it is only for the Manics and schizophrenics, who we call “mad”. On the contrary, therapy is for everyone. The mind gets sick the same way the body does, and people with unresolved traumas often end up projecting that onto the people around them. Such was the case in this story; the tragic events leave the reader with a lot to think about.
A unifying theme in all of these stories is that the perpetrators or the ones whose actions lead to these women’s deaths all go scot-free. It is a dizzying depiction of the reality of femicide because the victims, indeed, rarely get justice. The author masterfully employs various literary techniques to bring these stories to life. Vivid imagery transports readers to the scenes of the crimes, while her poetic use of words captures the essence of each woman’s personality. The writing is excellent by Nigerian standards. Save for a weird, abrupt shift from first person to third in “Our Priest”, there is very little to point to negatively where the writing is concerned.
This book is not just a collection of stories but a call to action. It demands that we confront the uncomfortable truths about femicide in Nigeria, acknowledge the systemic issues of male and female misogyny that contribute to this crisis, and demand justice for the victims. “Ka chi foo nu” is a powerful and necessary read for anyone seeking to understand the devastating impact of femicide and to join the fight for a more just and equitable society.
Miss Nia Ihuoma Nwakanma is a communication executive and designer.
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