When His Highness Muhammadu Sanusi II ( formerly known as Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, SLS in Banking circles) the recently dethroned emir of Kano was banished to Loko then Awe, some remote location in Nasarawa State, Nigeria his Mom, Hajia Saudatu, came to see her son. Mother and son are said to have an unbreakable bond.
What is it with Mothers and sons? What is that unbreakable bond?
King Shaka the Zulu had it with his mom, Queen Nandi. Infact Shaka’s love for his mother has been described as almost to the point of worship. He decreed a year of mourning upon her death through out his Kingdom and defaulters were executed. No crops were planted for that period. No milk was to be used. Women, who got pregnant, and their husbands were put to death. Together with those perceived as insufficiently grief-stricken. Even cows were slaughtered so that their calves would know what losing a mother felt like.
Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the Abami Eda, the creator of Afro beat equally had an affinity with his mom was the stuff of legend. Both were inseparable. She even took up residence with her musician turned government critic son at the famous “Kalakuta Republic” instead of with her mild mannered Doctor cum Health Minister elder son Prof. Olikoye. The old Women’s rights activist, Olufunmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Suffragette, educator and politician, was said to have been thrown from the second-floor when over 1000 soldiers raided the Kalakuta residence. Her extraordinary life and subsequent death from injuries sustained during the brutal jack-boot and Khaki encounter were the inspiration for her son’s impassioned 70s hit song “Coffin for Head of State”. The first and only Afro beat eulogy rendered in poignant African Classical sound.
Jesus Christ, the Christian Messiah was also rather fond of his mother. The Virgin Mary. The gospel of St. John tells us that it was upon her prompting that he performed his first miracle at a wedding in Cana. Remember the whole “transformation of water into wine” you were taught at Catechism and Sunday School? Sure you do. Power of the Mother coming through as always.
There is a saying in Nigeria, “Monkey No Fine But him Mama Like Am!” Which translates loosely as, ” The Monkey isn’t a handsome fellow but he is dear to his Mother!”
A mother’s love is a mother’s love. She doesn’t care if her son is a billionaire or a bum. Rebel or honor student. A genius or a village idiot. Super cop or bank robber. a general or a foot soldier. CEO or Yahoo boy. Her love is unconditional.
Sophocles, the Greek playwright, in his tragic play, “Oedipus Rex” examined that unwritten mother and son attraction that sometimes, in blind conflict, pitches father against son. The Austrian neurologist and founder of psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud would later theorize about this and coin the term Oedipus complex (the converse being Electra complex – representing Father and Daughter love – but that is another story for another day).
Mother’s love is undiluted and unwavering. She is the subject of that famous nursery rhyme “My Mother” penned by Victorian poet Ann Taylor. –
My Mother
Who sat and watched my infant head
When sleeping on my cradle bed,
And tears of sweet affection shed?
My Mother.
When pain and sickness made me cry,
Who gazed upon my heavy eye,
And wept for fear that I should die?
My Mother.
Who taught my infant lips to pray
And love God’s holy book and day,
And walk in wisdom’s pleasant way?
My Mother.
Prince Nico Mbarga Nigerian – Cameroonian Highlife musician also immortalized her love in his song “Sweet Mother!”
The 90s street crooners Boyz II Men sang, “Mama loving you is like food to my soul.”
Indeed, loving Mama energises us. Her love helps bring sanity and purpose to the world. She who gives and nurtures life. The quintessential salt of the earth. She for whom we have named Mother Earth and Mother Nature. Mother is King.
So..! After all that ..! What is it about mothers? Honestly, I don’t know. What I do know is that we can’t help but love them. Celebrate and adore them. Not only on Valentine’s day and the 5 or more odd official and unofficial Mother’s days in the year.
Hi mom. Love you. Hope you get to read this piece. Thank you seems so inadequate for what you do day by day being you 24/7.
DrAlexanderGrey 