From: Marie-Therese Belisle Nweke

To: Evan X Hyde

Sun. Mar. 24, 2024

My Honourable Faamly – Yet another departure and blow for you! I have only just learnt of the passing of your father, Mr. Charlie Hyde. As the patriarch of your truly distinguished family, this is a colossal loss in many respects. I know some people will tell you that at 96 or thereabouts he had done “overtime”. But when we lose a parent, it doesn’t matter how old they were and how old we are!

However – here in Africa, and in Nigeria, we would not be having a funeral for your Dad. Instead, we would mark his transition to ancestor-hood in the great pantheon of ancestors, with a grand send-off. We would celebrate his feats in sport, in distinguished service to his country, as a mentor and as family head – in truly eloquent speeches, all extolling his achievements. These would even be encapsulated in a family brochure, replete with pictures.

But there would also be plenty of music, dances, some of which would be led by you, his eldest son, and the new patriarch of The Hyde Clan, all dressed in aso ebi (a kind of traditional uniform) and we would feast on many cows, as well as on gourds of fresh palm wine, and other drinks. We would also bring you gifts of money and other material contributions. All your in-laws and their respective families would be there with their gifts, including traditional cloth. And on the morning of your Dad’s commitment to Mother Earth, we would mark the passing of this distinguished son of the soil with a 21-gun salute.

Your Dad is now with Miss Elinor, and all those in your family who preceded him, including your much loved and missed, Audrey. They are in another realm, far removed from ours, but as ancestors. 

Always, Thérèse.