Speaking With Our Spirits
At the start of the chapter, Mama arrives with Kambili’s and Jaja’s school uniforms, laying them on the bed after a morning wash. During the routine, Mama reveals she is pregnant, disclosing past miscarriages and the villagers’ gossip about a “ogwu” tied to her womb. She reassures Kambili that Papa has remained faithful despite pressures to take another wife.
The sisters from the Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal prayer group enter, loudly singing Igbo hymns, interrupting the domestic routine to present “a little something,” which includes moi‑moi, jollof rice, and fried chicken. Kambili observes the sisters’ gentle chastising of Mama for her generosity.
Jaja returns from school, still in his uniform, and the siblings discuss the baby’s gender, noting Mama’s due date in October. Kambili notices the strict family schedule—charting study, siesta, family time, meals, prayer—which Papa meticulously updates.
While the family is at the table, a national radio announcement declares a coup; the broadcasters describe a new military government and promise a quick transition to civilian rule. Papa, a newspaper editor, hurriedly answers a phone call to his editor friend Ade Coker, informing him of the coup and later discussing the political turmoil. The family reads the Standard and Nigeria Today, noting editorials that criticize both the former civilian government and the new military rulers, and debating the necessity of renewed democracy.
Father’s reaction to the coup includes a brief history of Nigerian coups, an emphasis on the cyclical nature of military takeovers, and his hope for a return to democracy. Later that day, the family participates in a solemn evening benediction at St. Agnes, where Papa reads an opinion column praising a military president, prompting a brief family debate over terminology (“president” versus “head of state”).
The narrative shifts to Christmas preparations. Papa, Mama, and the children pack their car for a holiday trip, loading yams, rice, beans, and bottles of soft drinks. During the drive, Kevin decorates the car with green tree branches to avoid demonstrators at Government Square. They observe soldiers at roadblocks, occasional arrests, and occasional public executions, reflecting the worsening political climate.
On reaching their hometown, the family attends a celebration at Auntie Ifeoma’s house in Nsukka. Aunty Ifeoma greets them warmly, serving jollof rice, fried chicken, and soft drinks. She leads the children into the kitchen, where she cooks on a kerosene stove, explaining the scarcity of gas cylinders. The children notice the modest interior: low ceilings, a narrow hallway, mismatched furniture, a small garden with plum‑colored hibiscus, purple hibiscus, and old banana trees. Aunty Ifeoma shows Kambili and Jaja her garden, pointing out the delicate hibiscus blossoms, the humble décor, and the simple chores of watering and pruning. The family discusses daily schedules, the school routine, and the impact of the newfound political unrest on their lives. The chapter ends with Kambili reflecting on the stark contrast between her disciplined home life in Enugu and the more rustic, communal atmosphere of Aunty Ifeoma’s household, hinting at upcoming challenges and cultural exchanges.