Ochiayha Brotherhood is a group of friends who come together on an oath to be their brother’s keeper, to have each other’s back at all times—financially, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. They are popularly known as Ndi-Ochiayha. They are very famous in Achaelu, Aguata LGA, Anambra State. Their name spreads across towns because of their influence and the expensive “shoe-out” they display when attending occasions like weddings and burial ceremonies.
A friend of my is a member of this brotherhood. He had always asked me to join them, but I never wanted to be part of that kind of society. But life became too difficult for me. I struggled to survive, struggled to feed myself, and all these pushed me into deep thoughts and confusion. I didn’t know what to do. Finally, I concluded that maybe I should join them. But immediately I made that decision, doubts entered my heart. I didn’t feel like myself. I didn’t feel confident in the decision.
I called my friend and told him I would join. He was very happy and said, “Correct my guy, now you don dey talk like man.” Then he told me, “Bro, prepare for Sunday, make we go see our chairman.” I said okay.
Sunday evening, after church, he called me that he was already on his way. Soon he arrived. “How far bro,” he said. I got ready, we shook hands, I entered his car, and we left.
When we reached the chairman’s house, we were welcomed. We shook hands and greeted him. He asked my friend, “Is this the man you’ve been telling me about?” My friend said yes. The chairman turned to me and said, “Young man, your friend has been telling me a lot about you since the day he joined us. He always wanted you to become part of us, but you never agreed. I am happy that you are here today and have finally decided. It is a good thing and the best decision you have made. You are welcome.”
Then he explained, “To become part of the brotherhood, there are things you must do. First, you will be cleansed in Ogige River with some items. Your friend will tell you what to bring. Second, you will perform the necessary rituals that the lord of our brotherhood demands. Third, you will swear an oath of secrecy—to always be your brother’s keeper, not to fight against one another, and to look after one another in every condition and era of life. I don’t know if your friend has told you these, but these are the requirements.”
I wasn’t comfortable with what he said, but I just nodded. We stood up to leave. The chairman told us to go home and think about it, and to come back in three days with the items if I was ready. I said okay.
When we got back to my place, my friend sat down and started listing the items for the cleansing—native egg and many other things. I asked him what would be used for the sacrifice. He said it depends on what the God of their brotherhood demands. That answer made me uncomfortable.
The next day, we went to the market and bought everything. On the third day, we went back to the chairman’s house. He led us to Ogige River where a priest was waiting. I did the cleansing, and we closed for the day.
Their gathering is every Saturday at the chairman’s house. The next Saturday, the chairman asked my friend to bring me along. I wasn’t comfortable, but I was also tired of the hardship in my life, so I still followed him.
We got to the house then entered the secret parlour where the brotherhood had already gathered. My friend greeted them in their special tune, and I greeted normally. They welcomed me and began their meeting. When they finished their matters, the chairman said, “We have a new member in our midst.” Then he asked me to come forward to the altar.
I stood up and went to the front. He started some enchantments, calling names of certain deities. Then he brought a calabash tied with a red cloth and filled with water. He told me to drink it. He called it “water of peace.” I raised it to my mouth, but I did not swallow the water. I held it in my mouth until we finished and stepped outside. Immediately we got outside, I spit it out secretly. They didn’t notice.
The moment I did that, I realized I had made a big mistake. That was the first stage of the initiation. They told us to return the next Saturday.
After we left, my friend took me to a place where they usually go to relax and enjoy themselves. I met some of the members there. He said I needed to get acquainted with people. I said okay.
Days passed. On the next Saturday, my friend came and we went again. After their meeting, they continued my initiation. After some incantations, the chairman brought a mirror. When I looked into it, I saw myself standing with a white cat with no spots. He asked me if I understood what it meant. I said no. He said I would go to the market and buy a white cat. When I bring it to the altar, they would fortify it, then I would strangle it on the red cloth and spill the blood into the same calabash I drank from last time.
Immediately he said that, my heart trembled. It didn’t feel right at all. It sing to me that this would be a serious ritual, not just a cat. After we left, I went to friends, people who are close to me around my neighborhood and told them everything. Many warned me that it was a deadly ritual, and that once I do it, something very important to me would be lost—sometimes even a human being.
I said I wasn’t going back.
I blocked contact with my friend. I changed my SIM card and relocated to where I am living now. Rumour has it that they have been looking for me, but they can’t find me because I never swallowed the water, so I am not registered in their coven.
Now I am deeper in Christ. I appreciate the gift of life. Things are still not perfect, but God has been faithful to me.
Not everyone that learns a helping hand really wants to help you, some want to put you into a kind of lifetime problem that you always struggle with, and never get out from for it for the rest of your life and will always live in regret.