Every morning in June, before the sun rises in Abba village, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Eastern Nigeria with a small population, and just before sunset in the West, Nneka wakes up and meticulously paints her lips. They are like her canvas, and she uses different colors of lipsticks made by her magical powers to create masterpieces that compete with the hues of the morning sun. Her small studio, tucked away in the thick bushes at the entrance of the Abba forest, is adorned with palm branches, and colorful butterflies are forever perched on these palms like twinkling fairy lights, which adds to the magical ambience. The studio is a sanctuary where creativity and imagination blend effortlessly with reality, yet few dare to enter due to its proximity to the evil forest and the mysterious display of colors that greet them every morning.
The people of Abba are known farmers and hunters, and some sell their produce in the market square on the "Eke, Orie, Afor, and Nkwo" market days, with "Eke" being the busiest. There is only one vocational school in the whole village, and few parents send their wards there. The village is a sight to behold, surrounded by towering hills that shield it from the chaos of the outside world, especially the bustling urban city miles away. Thick green vegetation and forests adorn the Abba landscape, while crystal-clear rivers flow through the village, providing a source of life to the villagers. It is here that the young, talented makeup artist Nneka calls home. Her passion for art is as enchanting as the village, and her renowned skills are coveted by all who seek her to add a touch of magic to their appearance.
It is said that the color of the lipstick she wears every morning in June dictates the mood of the village, and the people eagerly await her selection with bated breath. If she applies black lipstick, there is instant death of a person and tears from mourners all over the village. Sometimes black lipstick can mean illness or a bad harvest. If she wears yellow lipstick, there is no rain, and the sun shines for the number of days she chooses to keep on the yellow lipstick. Blue lipstick signifies rain, and this is a necessity for the crops, while red lipstick signifies danger and impending doom. A particular shade of violet lipstick means animals are in abundance in the forest and bushes, and the hunters rejoice because they can go into the forest to hunt for game. Nneka always makes an appearance at the market square for the villagers, and they see her lipstick color and know instantly why they are in their present mood.
Nneka, the daughter of the late and last chief priest of Abba inherited magical powers from her mother, a powerful spirit of the evil forest who died at childbirth. This singular act caused Nneka and her father to be ostracized and banished to live near the evil forest. The villagers believed that a man who could have sexual relations with a spirit of the evil forest was no mere mortal, and they feared for their lives.
Nneka, who lost her parents at a young age, struggled with loneliness and isolation due to the mysteries surrounding her birth. The villagers rarely interacted with her, further intensifying her feelings of isolation. During her moments of solitude, she discovered the magical powers within her and created lipsticks from materials found in the evil forest. As if possessed, she transformed herself and the village with these enchanted lipsticks. These lipsticks possessed potent magic, which was only effective in June - the month of Nneka's birth and the month her mother died.
Every morning, as the first rays of sunlight danced through her window, Nneka would stand before her mirror and choose a lipstick color, which would affect the village's mood, especially when she recalled how she was treated by the villagers. The villagers, fearing Nneka's mysterious background and the effects of her lipsticks, believed she harbored malevolent forces and was practicing witchcraft. They were misguided in their beliefs and never considered the role they played in their treatment of Nneka. Their apprehension spread like wildfire across the village for years.
However, one misty morning, Nneka hears a gentle knock on her door. Upon opening it, a group of local schoolgirls greets her. They have noticed the colorful display from the forest on their way to school every day and are curious, despite being forbidden by their parents to go near the forest due to the belief that it is a dangerous place filled with wild animals and spirits. The bravest amongst them ventures into the forest and discovers Nneka's studio. She welcomes them and the girls are amazed by the breathtaking reflections and colors that fill the room. The large collection of lipsticks that adorn the shelves sparkle in the light, each one a tiny vessel of dreams waiting to be unleashed. The girls know that this is a moment they will never forget.
"We've heard about your magical lipsticks," exclaims one of the girls. "Is it true that each shade and color holds a different enchantment?"
Nneka smiles, her voice tinged with mystery. "It's not just about the colors," she explains. "It's about the stories they hold, the emotions they evoke." The girls are invited by Nneka to touch the lipsticks, and as they do, their mood is reflected in the studio. The atmosphere shifts and changes, and it takes on the hue of the lipstick they have touched.
The school girls listen intently as Nneka recounts tales of her magical lipsticks. Her stories on love where princesses and maidens look like flowers to their suitors after they have applied the lipsticks she gives them for assistance. She speaks of bravery, where warriors defeat monsters on the battlefield after they have adorned themselves with her lipstick, which gives them the courage they need. Nneka’s skills are in high demand, and she shares tales of adventures where travelers journey far and wide to meet her. She shares how she applies the lipsticks when she communes with the spirits deep inside the forests. Nneka talks about the emotions and enchantments each shade holds.
Each story is woven into the material of her sparkling lipsticks and the girls are transported to a world where anything is possible. She confirms the rumors about her inherited powers and demonstrates her transformative abilities with a flick of her wrist. The girls watch in amazement as the environment in and outside the studio takes on the color of the lipstick she applies, and the air is filled with magic and wonder. Outside the studio, the villagers marvel at the blended display of colors and wonder at the magic from the forest. The mesmerized schoolgirls leave Nneka’s studio with the knowledge that it is a place where dreams come to life and their imaginations can take flight. As they walk back to the village, they giggle and the forest seems brighter, the birdsong more melodious, and the world more magical.
The schoolgirls share their adventures with others, dispelling the warnings about the forest and Nneka. Time elapses and Nneka's studio transforms into a haven for fearless young girls who unleash their creativity and explore the boundless possibilities of their imaginations inspired by her artistry. With a twinkle in Nneka’s eye, she teaches them with joy the secret of her craft. The studio echoes with the sounds of laughter and chatter every day as the girls experiment with colors and textures, have fun and with a mere stroke of lipstick, they realize they are transformed into anything they desire. Together, they paint the town with an array of colors, which leaves the people bewildered. Each shade of lipstick is a testament to the beauty of their dreams and desires and as their dreams differ, the villagers bear the mood shifts.
***
One fateful morning, a mother overhears her daughter's conversations with friends and passes by the forest, where she hears loud laughter that sounds like it is coming from extraterrestrial beings. She sees a display of colors from the forest that seems to pulse and curiosity overtakes her. She walks into the bushes and avoids the animals that watch her with intelligent eyes. She finally arrives at Nneka's studio, peers through the window, and gasps in awe at the sight before her. The schoolgirls, their lips adorned with hues of different colors, stand around Nneka, who applies the lipstick and it shimmers. The mother watches in fascination as the colors dance in the air around them. She feels a tingle in her fingertip, and she knows that this is no ordinary scene. Intrigued by the spectacle, the mother approaches Nneka with a smile. They quickly stop all magic, afraid that she might be a spy. However, the mother begs them to continue and says she has heard whispers of Nneka's magical lipsticks and asks if it is true that they hold the power to weave dreams into reality.
Nneka nods, her eyes gleaming with pride. "Indeed, they do, but the true magic lies within the hearts of those who dare to dream," she replies. As the morning sun bathes the town in its golden embrace, the mother realizes that sometimes, the most extraordinary magic can be found in the simplest of things. Overwhelmed with joy, the mother runs out of the studio and calls on the villagers to come to see what she has witnessed. The colors around the mother intensify, and the forest comes alive with magic as she runs; even the animals follow her to the busy market square, as it is "Eke" market day, and gather around her.
The astonished villagers follow the mother to Nneka's studio and watch as the schoolgirls show them their creations. Some villagers try their hands on the lipstick application too, just as Nneka has taught, and the environment seems to dance as it takes on the colors of the lipsticks, weaving a spell that leaves them joyful and feeling lighter than they have ever felt before.
Abba Village embraces Nneka and her lipsticks with open arms. The villagers discover a magical realm hidden in plain sight and realize that true magic lies within themselves and their ability to dream and create. They are thankful to Nneka for showing them the way. The elders ask for Nneka’s forgiveness and require families to send their daughters to Nneka’s studio to learn from her craft. Nneka's studio becomes a respected gathering place for the girls, and as they grow older, they pass on Nneka's stories and the magic of her lipsticks to their children, creating a legacy that continues through generations.
Days turn into weeks and weeks into months, and the legend of Nneka's enchanted lipsticks endures, serving as a testament to the power of dreams and the beauty of a world where reality and magic intertwine.
-- Sally Bonn-Ohiaeriaku is an Igbo, Nigerian woman who is passionate about art, particularly writing, poetry, and photography. In 2021, she was shortlisted for the Alpine Fellowship Academic Prize award and is the first-place winner in an AI writing contest organized by Memo'd in 2024. Her fiction and non-fiction work can be found on discourseliteraryjournal.com, themanifeststation.net, storyhouse.org, and Medium. She is an Environmentalist and an academic. She loves to volunteer with NGOs in her community, she says it's a great way to give back and create a positive impact. She can be contacted on Twitter/X @SallyBonn and by email at bonnsally@gmail.com