EATING A CANE RAT

‘It is within the confines of one’s home that one eats a cane rat with tumor’ (Yoruba)

Cane rat, also known as grass cutter, or cutting grass, is a type of rodent found throughout Africa. Cane rats are eaten in some African countries and are pest species on many crops. They range in body length from 35 to 60 centimeters. They are heavily-built rodents, with bristly brown fur speckled with yellow or grey. Cane rats are widely distributed and farmers expend substantial energy fencing the rodents out of their fields, but they are also valued as a source of bush meat in West and Central Africa.

Our ancestors believe that a cane rat with tumor is a special kind of rat with deformity. Cane rats with tumors are assumed to be abnormal or rare in the bush. However delicious a roasted or cooked cane rat (with tumor) could taste, it is advisable that one should not eat it in the open. People who choose to eat cane rats with tumor do not tell or show it to other people. Anyone who eats a cane rat with tumor in the public does not only expose his/her foolishness to the people in the neighborhood, it is usually considered as a great taboo in the sight of our ancestors.

Also in life, there are some things that are not meant to be shared or done in the public. There are many words, criticisms, opinions and ideas against the people who are very close to us that shouldn’t be exposed to the public. In several cases, most of us present our points to many other people and justify ourselves against the personality of our closest friends, colleagues, business partners or spouse, based on some selfish and biased reasons. The painful thing about exposing the weaknesses and foolishness of the people that are closer to us (our parents, spouse, closest friends, role models, colleagues at work or business partners) in the open is that we are indirectly exposing our foolishness and stupidity to the world.

There are usually better ways to settle grudges, disagreements, disputes or even war between two intimate entities. It is natural for people to misunderstand one another in some cases in life. We need to understand and learn how to tolerate with each other’s differences. At times, it is better to rebuke, criticize, correct and condemn people that are closer to us in the confines of our room than publicizing it. So, whenever you think of disgracing, challenging, or mocking people that are special to you in public, always remember that it is within the confines of one’s home that one eats a cane rat with tumor. May you always attract blessings and not curses to yourself as a result of your actions or reactions in life.

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