Lidudumalingani’s ‘Lost Memory’

Even before reading the story, you are reminded of the judges’ verdict with the words ‘Incredible Journey, Judges’ Choice’, from the title page. Fine, you settle to read, ready to experience this journey. What’s this thing that takes the narrator’s sister? Immediately, you think of Ogbanje, Yoruba name for that demon spirit that possesses. It […]

Even before reading the story, you are reminded of the judges’ verdict with the words ‘Incredible Journey, Judges’ Choice’, from the title page. Fine, you settle to read, ready to experience this journey.
What’s this thing that takes the narrator’s sister? Immediately, you think of Ogbanje, Yoruba name for that demon spirit that possesses. It makes her scream, abducting the entire village from their sleep. Oh, how you love this use of ‘abducting.’ So men in the village go in search of the sister, whose run wild, gone missing, but in vain. But her mother, the heroine, returns with her the next day.
It’s indeed about memories. The girls grow, the narrator and her sister, and how they are maturing, developing breasts, becomes a subject. It reminds you of a girl in primary school days, growing breasts ahead of her peers. So is the case here – just the way boys talk about early moustache, this girl, eleven, budding, her sibling, fifteen, showing no sign. This is one pleasant memory, not like when the girl bashes her head against a wall until blood oozes out in the middle of being told a story. It’s madness, this thing, you conclude, more certain, when she threw hot porridge at her sister, another time, only to be remorseful when the madness left her. It was the last straw when she hauls things at school. She had to drop out. Again, her sister, this narrator, is always present. The night screams, the bloodied wall, the hot porridge, now school- all dark memories.
What’s next? You wonder. You’re already concerned for the girl’s health, her life. You follow the story, afraid. Always, she awakens from the madness, baffled, regretful. Her sister, forever loyal, doesn’t want to go to school too, except with the girl. So much the girl had to beg her to go. Your heart breaks. This is ideal sisterly love.
Then Sangomas (Traditional healer) and the churches, don’t seem to help. The sister learns about schizophrenia in school. Bingo! But there is no cure, a sad fact. So the sisters conspire and throw away the medication, always. Their bond builds and waxes stronger. Then bang! The entire village gathers in a ritual to deliver the girl. Will they succeed? This is the climax. A goat is sacrificed and the girl and her sister forced apart. Their tears flow. But wait, her father had this thing too, this madness? And it was never mentioned? It took him away and he never returned.
You are further immersed in this story when the girl’s mother and her sleepover man friend plan to take her away. To disappear, like her father? Thank God her sister eavesdrops on this information. It actually is a decision to take her to another healer, far away. Of course the ritual failed. This was their plan B. Will the sister sit by while this plot was hatched? Certainly not. They run, far, far away.
You absolutely love this story!