The Little Dry

The “little dry” comes at the mid-point of the tropical rainy season, lasts but a short time, and is soon forgotten when the rains return. It cannot compare with the long dry season, when all the equatorial belt lies parched and withered. Secessionist Biafra waged a “little war,” and who now remembers the Ibo and this time of his “little dry”?

Janice, an American artist married to Obi Ezendu, an Ibo, returns with him to Nigeria after his eight years of study in the United States. At this time the first military coup, led by Ibo officers, is in effect.

They are assigned a lovely house in Enugu, the eastern regional seat where Obi is employed in the Ministry of Education. Janice, a simple, idealistic girl gets her first jolt when she learns of Obi’s native wife, Ezinma, chosen for him by his family one week before his departure for the States. Azikwe, a bright, lovable child of seven is the fruit of this marriage.

After the counter-coup when the Ibos are no longer in power, they secede and set up the State of Biafra. All other Americans are evacuated, but Janice elects to stay with the Ibos.