EVEN GARRI GO HUMBLE

 

I was thinking this morning..... I was listening to Morning Crossfire on 92.3 FM radio last Tuesday on my way to work when a caller gave an interesting Nigerian pidgin English proverb. Growing up in Warri means I am very familiar with pidgin English proverbs, but 'I kowtow for this one.' He said, 'Na only hot water go make garri stick together in unity.'

As I drove along, I couldn't but ponder on the import of the proverb. First, for those not familiar with garri, it is Nigeria's legendary 'cereal' made from cassava. There are different ways one can enjoy garri, most of which will be enjoying the garri in grains, but only one way to make garri stick together. If you 'soak garri' in lukewarm water, the grains 'work in silos' even if you add groundnut as an enabler. Likewise, soaking garri in ice-cold water, add milk and groundnut. Wow! Delicious, but the grains will still not unite. That's why it is described as 'drinking garri.' If you know, you know.

The only language garri understands to make them unite is to add boiling water. Suddenly, all the grains will find reasons to come together. At this point, they will be collectively called Eba. If for some strange reasons, the garri is still stubborn and refuse to unite in hot water, in Delta state where I come from, we expose it to a bit more heat and it becomes Kpokpo-garri (Cassava flakes or Tapioka). I remembered the Kpokpo-garri and steak I was served at an event in Warri last Friday and understood that the grains were unified under duress.

It is expected that we stick together, so we can achieve more with less but for selfish reasons many want to act solo. We promote division and fight one another until things fall apart and hardship dawns, then we see the need for unity. Some have fanned the embers of disunity for so long and now we are in hot water as a nation. If we remain stubborn and refuse to unite, the heat is coming with kpokpo-garri in view.

If you are not a team player or you are working against the unity of your group, church or country, change now because even garri humbles in the presence of hot water. Psalms 133:1 says 'Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!'

Stay hopeful. God's got your back.

Happy Sunday.

......Just the thoughts of a certain Wey Mey