Curiousity ; Running after the Masquerades

Sometimes we see something and want to know more about it. Just like little kids who are always curious and trying to discover how a thing is built. When you see kids dismantle gadgets and try to build them back up, just know that they are just curious.

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I have been in a lot of situations where I can say I was just curious and wanted to know more about a particular thing. There is a particular event that brings a lot of laughter and smiles to me anytime I remember it or am reminded of it.

When I was about 12 years old, there was a festival in our town. The festival was to take place at a primary school that was close to our house. After we had all had breakfast and done our chores since it was a Saturday, Dad said to me "Ani, stay home and don't go to the primary school for the festival". I asked my dad, Dad, why do you want me to stay home? Everyone will be at the event". He looked at me and replied "Things that happen at the festival are not for Kids".
I became curious, and I really wanted to know what happens at the festival. All I knew was that there would be a lot of cultural displays and lots of dancing. At least that was my own thinking. I couldn't wait to see Dad leave the house so I could go and experience the festival.

Dad was off to a meeting, and I could hear singing and dancing from the primary school. The noise coming from there was so loud that one could not miss the fact that an occasion was going on.
I sneaked out of the house and headed for the primary school. The streets were filled with cars, motorcycles, and bicycles. I knew that this was a great festival. I saw young men and women dancing. It was a beautiful sight to behold as they moved their bodies like the waves of the sea. I thought they had no bones in them.

Then came the masquerades; they looked scary and had knives. I was afraid and wanted to run away. A man standing close to me was talking to his friend, and he knew the masquerades because he saw when they came out from the ground. I was surprised to hear this. I turned to the man and asked, "Can you take me to where they came out from? The man smiled and said yes, but that I had to wait till the end of the festival so we could follow the masquerades home. I was super excited; finally, I was going to see the home of the spirits. It was believed that the masquerades are spirits who have come to celebrate with men and then go back.

The festival ended, and the masquerades started moving in a straight line, with some men guiding them. I followed the man who had promised to take me to the home of the masquerades. At first, the crowd was big, but as we walked down the highway, it reduced. We entered a bush path, and it was now dark. As I turned back, it was me and the man. I could not see anything as it had become so dark. I asked the man what of the other boys, and he looked at me and said, "They have gone to the land of the dead. I was scared and ran off. The man chased after me, but as he was about to grab me, some men came out of the bush. They looked like hunters. One of them asked me what I was doing in the bush at this time of the night.
I told them what brought me there, and they told me I was lucky they came out of the bush and that I was about to be used for rituals. I was shocked by what I heard. The man led me home. As we got home, I met my parents, who were worried, and mom was already crying. Dad thanked the men for bringing me back home. I was flogged and punished for disobeying my parents.

My curiosity almost cost me my life, and I got into trouble with my parents. I just wanted to know where the masquerades came from.