Thomas Fox.

CHIEF' ADEBISI TOLU

Chief' Adebisi Tolu.., who's an indigene of Badagry was the Second chief head of my village after succeeding his uncle, late Chief' Afolabi Tolu. Although Chief Afolabi never had any male child of his own to succeed him only his nephew Adebisi who was the first grandson of Chief' Afolabi's parent's. Chief' Afolabi died some few years back after heading the village for fifteen years..'Adebisi Tolu then took on responsibility as the new Chief of the village.
Some villagers never liked the decision of Chief' Afolabi appointing Adebisi as the new village Chief.., but their hand fell a back as the Yoruba empire insisted he be given the privilege of village chief.
He's too young!.. That was what escalated round the village in every home as they all uttered this words. Some felt well he be given the chance but will be put through.
The main thing was this... 'Before Adebisi was given the privilege of been the chief of the village he was known for living a pleasurable life.., going about hunting and doing other irrelevant things. Well Adebisi was also well mannered but he was a person who loved to enjoy the flenjors of life.
Well this never bothered me. I never cared. The only thing that bothered was for the protection of the village.
Chief' Adebisi was a very traditional person so to speak who always kept to the traditional rites of the village and other related things.
Chief' Adebisi had three children from the same mother. Their names of which I don't really know but of one I do know of.., the older son's name 'Bidemi. He was the next person to take over from his father as the new chief when the time comes.
As chief he acquired many properties. From farm lands to cocoa plantation's, Cattle's, Coconut plantation's and many fish ponds. He was also a merchant.
Chief' Adebisi was a tall dark skinned middle aged man who had a strict looking face.
Surprisingly Chief ' Adebisi was also a hunter. Before he assumed responsibility of village head he was known for hunting animals, going into the dense forest of the village which other hunters dreaded of even having a look from a distance. He was a courageous hunter.., in some meetings he had attended with some village hunters he would say to them "a hunter would always encounter what he ought not to encounter if and only if he goes deep into the forest just for the hope of getting a game" this words would always give shivering to other hunter for in their heart they knew what he meant.
There was a time there was a fearful cry in the village as children and women ran into their huts, only the chanting sounds of men you could only hear. I came out to see what it was..and to my surprise it was "Kini'un" which means "Lion". I was shocked.. never have I., ever seen it..I only heard of it, and there it was lying lifelessly on Adebisi's shoulders. He paraded the entire village and other neighboring villages with the dreaded beast as men and children followed him echoing and praising heroic and brave songs to him. If you were able to kill such a beast you will be richly rewarded by the chief of your village and its skin would be hung up inside your hut, and you'll be respected by all and if possible you'll be given a high position in the group of hunters. Yes. true, this happened in the case of Adebisi.
Chief' Adebisi also owned a tamed black panther. Which he rescued from the forest. He told the story of his encounter with the animal when it was still tender. He says "I hid myself behind the bushes as I saw and watched an injured mother Panther as she groaned in her painful pangs of birth.., a successful delivery I called it but the mother panther died. The little cub I gently cuddled in my hands as the cub opened its eyes to glance through its first sight..it saw me., I guess maybe it thought I was its mother I brought it home and trained it like a domestic hunting dog". Its not a surprise that this full beast was trained for hunting as it "wagled" its tail walking in front of its master in search for game. It was fun seeing Adebisi and his odd hunting partner going into the forest with other hunters and their dogs but he's stood out differently.
Before he became chief Adebisi was also a good wrestler.., although not the best, his feet would grip the soil in opposition to his opponents fearsome push..he's palms were ready to grip the hands and waist of his opponent to give a throw to the ground. This always amazed the crowds as they chanted and called out his names saying this words "Adebisi e'la mole' la! ' la!" which 'means throw to the ground'. It was really a fun full experience.
But. later on something happened that embittered my heart towards the chief.