Akwaeke and the Skull (A Story of Beauty, Pride, and Redemption)

Aug 18

Written By Oma

In an ancient Igbo village, there lived a maiden named Akwaeke. Her beauty was unmatched, on top of that she was the only daughter of the most esteemed Chief in the whole land. Suitors from far and wide traveled to her village, bearing gifts and promises, hoping to win her heart. But Akwaeke was proud and dismissive. None of the men who came to her door could meet her impossibly high standards.

One day, news of Akwaeke’s beauty reached the spirit world (Ala mmuo), and an evil forest spirit in the form of a skull became captivated by her. Determined to marry her, the skull spirit devised a cunning plan. He roamed the earth, visiting villages and collecting body parts from the finest men he could find, in exchange for whatever they wanted from him. A pair of strong arms from one, the legs of an agile dancer from another, and the face of a handsome warrior—he took them all until he had fashioned himself into a man of extraordinary beauty.

When the evil spirit, now in the guise of a strikingly handsome man, arrived in Akwaeke's village, she was immediately smitten. Never had she seen a man so perfect in form and face. Her heart, which had been so cold to others, warmed instantly, and she agreed to marry him without hesitation.

The wedding was a grand affair, with music, dancing, and feasting that lasted for days. Akwaeke’s parents, pleased that their daughter had finally chosen a husband, blessed the union. But they had no idea that their beloved daughter was marrying a demon from the spirit world.

After the festivities, the evil spirit took Akwaeke to his home in the spirit world, a place shrouded in darkness and unkind mystery. There, the truth of her husband's identity was revealed. The handsome form he had taken began to disintegrate, the flesh melted away to reveal the skull beneath. Terrified, Akwaeke realized that she had been deceived. She was now trapped in the spirit world, far from her family and the life she once knew.

Life with the skull demon was harsh. He was cruel and demanding, and the part of spirit world where he had his home was a place of suffering. Yet, in this dark place, Akwaeke found an unlikely ally—the evil spirit’s mother. Unlike her son, the old spirit woman was kind and gentle. She saw the sorrow in Akwaeke’s heart and took pity on her.

Despite her circumstances, Akwaeke remained kind and respectful to the spirit’s mother, helping her with chores and treating her with the respect due to an elder. Touched by Akwaeke’s goodness, the old woman decided to help her escape.

One night, when the evil spirit was away, the old woman gave Akwaeke a magic calabash. She instructed her to run back to her village, carrying the calabash with her. If she encountered any danger along the way, she was to break the calabash on the ground.

Akwaeke thanked the old woman and fled the spirit world. As she ran, she heard the evil spirit’s voice in the distance, realizing she had escaped. He pursued her with a fury, but just as he was about to catch her, Akwaeke broke the calabash. From it emerged a thick forest that grew rapidly, blocking the demon’s path and allowing her to reach her village safely.

Upon her return, Akwaeke’s parents were overjoyed. They had feared the worst, believing they had lost their daughter forever. When she told them her story, they were both horrified and relieved. Her father, who was a wise elder in the village, suggested that she marry a friend of hers, a kind and gentle man who had long admired Akwaeke from afar.

This time, Akwaeke did not hesitate. She had learned the value of kindness, humility, and true companionship. She married her dear friend, and together they lived a long and happy life. Akwaeke bore many children, and her story became a cautionary tale for the village, teaching young women and men the importance of looking beyond appearances and valuing the heart over the face.

The End.

Lessons to Learn

The Danger of Pride: Akwaeke’s initial pride and high standards blinded her to the true nature of the people around her, which lead her to make a disastrous choice. The story teaches that pride can lead to downfall.
The Deceptiveness of Appearances: The tale reminds us that appearances can be deceiving, and it is the heart and character that truly matter.
Kindness and Respect: Akwaeke’s kindness towards the evil spirit’s mother ultimately saved her life, showing the importance of treating others with respect and compassion, regardless of the circumstances.
The Power of Community and Family: The story underscores the importance of family and community in overcoming challenges and finding true happiness.

This myth of Akwaeke and the Skull, carries themes of pride, deception, and redemption, offers timeless lessons that continue to resonate with those who hear it.

What other lessons can you point out from this story? Let us know in the comment section below.