Who Fears Death

Onye discusses a portion of the Great Book that is typically excluded, known as the Lost Papers. These chapters discuss how the Okeke were “mad scientists,” inventing all the “old technologies” like computers and portables (337). “They invented ways to duplicate themselves and keep themselves young until they died. They made food grow on dead land, they cured all diseases. In the darkness, the amazing Okeke brimmed with wild creativity” (337).

As they approach the Kingdom, they first encounter the Okeke villages with those who are too timid to flee and live helplessly under Nuru control; many are drug addicts. Luyu wishes to go around the villages, but Onye is unable to explain why they can’t. Further along, in another village, a woman recognizes Onye and starts calling to the other villagers; the three of them ready for a fight, but instead the villagers are excited to see her, referring to a woman who foretold of their coming.

One man, however, is not excited. He is severely disfigured and tells Onye she should kill herself. His wife had been raped by five Nuru under orders of Daib, and he had been sliced up by the men; his wife had become pregnant, but he had killed his wife rather than let the Ewu child be born. Onye grabs him and begins working to heal him; when his face is healed, he thanks her, in awe, and walks away. More people come to her, and she and Mwita heal as many as they can.

When they camp outside of the town later that night, discussing what the people had told them, they realize that Onye’s mother has been traveling ahead to tell of their coming so that they will expect her and be happy.

They discuss Daib, somewhat confused by the intensity of his hatred of Okeke. Luyu points out how the Vah grow up around juju and therefore aren’t afraid of it; however, Onye reminds her that Daib’s mother had aided Okeke, and so Daib hadn’t been raised to believe that Okeke were inferior. Mwita grows frustrated and says that he only cares about what Daib is now, not what he might have been before.

When they wake up the next morning, there are bags of gifts outside their tent. They realize that word of what she did the day before has already spread.

They soon arrive in the Kingdom itself, the borders of which are not clearly defined or protected. “You knew you were in it when you were in it. You became immediately aware of the scrutiny, the eyes. Not by soldiers or any of that sort, but by the Nuru people. Officials patrolled the area, but the people policed themselves” (344).

As they get closer, they encounter more emptied Okeke villages. When they arrive at Gadi, Aro’s original village, they hear the bloodshed and immediately come to the aid of the people. Onye helps whomever is unarmed, allowing Okeke to escape; when she can subdue Nuru, they become appalled at their actions from only moments earlier. They realize they cannot stop the fighting in this village; they must instead find Daib and stop it at its root.

Past the town, they encounter a thick cornfield. They make their way through but encounter Okeke rebels nearby as they walk. Recognizing the danger, they decide to let Luyu approach while they remain ignorable close by so that they can attack if the rebels try anything. When Luyu approaches, she tells them the nearby village is lost and asks if they have heard of Onyesonwu; they have and swear they would never hurt them, so Mwita and Onye reappear, scaring off some of the soldiers in the process.

That evening, over dinner, they speak with the few rebels who aren’t afraid of them. However, they are afraid of the General and try to avoid speaking of him. Anai, their leader, tells them how to find Daib—in a building where “he needs no protection” (350). He warns them that Luyu will be able to pass through Durfa as an Okeke, but that Mwita and Onye will need to make themselves ignorable if they wish to get to Daib.

The rebels give Mwita, Onye, and Luyu the hut for the night and sleep outside. As they rest, Onye begins to think about Daib, and without realizing it, begins to float upward; however, Mwita catches her and pushes her back into her body. Onye is confused, but Mwita doesn’t explain further, only chastising her and reminding her what Sola had told them. Onye presses him on how he was able to do that since he isn’t a sorcerer, but Mwita tells her to stop reminding him what he isn’t. They embrace and make love.

In the morning, the soldiers tell them that they need to do something to Luyu so that she’ll blend in. It turns out that all Okeke are branded as slaves; for Luyu to pass, she will need to be branded. Luyu resists but accepts; Anai moves quickly to get it over with.