New Video Contest: Fragments of My Childhood

Hi Steemit Community,

Childhood is that part of life that never truly leaves us. The older I get, the more I realize how much those early years shaped me. I may have grown, but I carry pieces of that little girl everywhere I go.

Growing up in Akwa Ibom State as an Ibibio girl was truly something special. Life then was simple, full of love, laughter, and the kind of joy that didn’t need much to bloom. I hold those memories close, and today, I just want to share a few fragments of my childhood that still make me smile, laugh, or tear up when I remember them.

---

Fragments of My Childhood

One memory that always cracks me up is how my grandma dealt with stubbornness. Whenever one of my cousins refused to wash plates, she wouldn’t argue or shout. She’d simply serve them food on a cocoyam leaf😂. That silent punishment was more effective than any words. We would all laugh, but deep down, we knew not to try her next time.

There was also this unforgettable season where we all got toy guns and pretended to be action stars. I remember naming myself Isakaba, and my cousin was Red Ninja. We would "shoot" each other and fall dramatically on the ground. We took it so seriously, like we were in a Nollywood movie.

School Days

Waking up early for school felt like punishment sometimes, but it was also part of the memory. You’d hear your mom calling your name over and over, dragging your sleepy body up while the sky was still dark. Getting dressed half asleep, sometimes forgetting your tie or socks, and rushing out the door with your books in hand.

Break time at school was sacred. I remember my favorite snack Red Cabin Biscuit. I loved it then and I still do now. There was also Cheese Balls, Banana Chewing Gum, and that special drink we called Boo Boo a thick flavored yogurt drink that made you feel rich just holding it.

There was always someone in class who would forget their food or lose their spoon, and somehow we all shared. Nobody had plenty, but we always made space for one another. That kind of love and community, you don’t see it everywhere anymore,is rare.

Saturdays & Christmas

Playtime was everything back then. We’d gather sand, stones, leaves even small tins—and pretend to cook real meals. Sometimes we used real ingredients like pepper, crayfish, or salt we "borrowed" from the kitchen. We’d make tiny mud houses with raffia palm leaves and imagine we had our own homes.

When the rain came, we didn't run inside like children do today. No we ran "into" the rain. Playing under the rain was one of the purest joys of our childhood. We’d cut plantain leaves to use as makeshift raincoats, and then run up and down like little warriors. There was always something magical about that momentfeet splashing in puddles, voices echoing in laughter.

We played all sorts of games too"Udebe"(hide and seek), "Okpukpo" for the girls, football for the boys even with bare feet. Sometimes we used slippers or plastic bottles as balls when we didn’t have one. We played "Ekongke" sitting in a circle in the evenings, telling or listening to stories passed down from older siblings or cousins.

Sundays were for shopping—at least in my eyes. I’d always beg my aunt to take me along to the market or plaza. Even if I didn’t get anything big, just being out, seeing new things, and walking hand in hand made me feel special.

Then came Christmas! Oh, Christmas was magical. Days before, our parents would take us shopping for new clothes, shoes, even dark shades that made us feel like real stars. That one day was enough to lift our whole year.

I remember one Christmas, my mum bought me a brand new pair of white sandals. After taking my bath, I would dress up and hold the shoes in my hand while walking barefoot—because I didn’t want them to get dirty before church. I felt too fresh to spoil the shine. The joy of wearing new clothes and showing them off in the neighborhood can’t be explained. That feeling stays with you forever.😂

And there’s one sweet memory that still makes me smile—the mango tree in our compound. The moment the wind started blowing strong, all of us kids would dash out, barefoot, shouting and laughing, ready to pick the mangoes as they fell. Sometimes, we’d even pray for the breeze to come so we could have a mango feast. We didn’t care if the mangoes were bruised from falling—we just picked, cleaned, and ate them with joy.

Another thing I can’t forget is how my mum would buy us music cassette tapes. Destiny Kids, and other gospel songs that filled our small living room with joyful melodies. Every Saturday morning, while cleaning or just relaxing, the songs would play loudly. We’d sing along and even mimic their dance steps. Those tapes made the house feel warm and alive. Even now, when I hear those songs, it takes me back to our small but happy home.

Another thing that made childhood sweet was how we used to visit our neighbors' houses to watch films especially when there was no light at home. You’d sit quietly among your friends, eyes fixed on the TV, acting like you didn’t know your mum had warned you not to leave the compound. But once you hear that familiar voice calling your name from afar… your heart skips. Before you could even explain yourself, the beating has already started. We used to laugh at each other after the drama, rubbing our backs and promising not to go next time until the next movie came out.

And oh, how can I forget about the food drama? Hiding your food behind the door or under the table just to keep it safe, only to come back and see someone had helped you "manage it." Usually a sibling. You’d shout, “Who touched my food?!” but everyone would act innocent.

Sometimes, one of us would be given 5 naira or 10 naira, and it felt like we just became millionaires. I still remember the day my older cousin gave me 5 naira. I held onto it like gold and used it to buy sweets that I shared with pride. Innocent happiness, just pure joy.

And another funny one—when a visitor gives you money, maybe even 5,000 naira, and your mom collects it immediately 😂. But you don’t even mind. As long as they gave you something, even if it was just 5 naira, you’d be so happy! You’d already start listing what you want to buy with it: sweet, banana chewing gum, shortbread, or that hard "something" biscuit we all loved back then.

Another thing that will forever stay in my heart is "Children’s Day May 27th". Ah! That day always felt like Christmas to me. I wouldn’t sleep well the night before, just rolling on the bed in excitement, counting down till morning. I’d already packed my socks, ironed my school uniform, and shined my shoes with my dad's polish. That fresh smell of ironed clothes and new socks always made me feel special. The thought of marching on the field, dancing, and seeing other schools it was a big deal. We felt like celebrities!

Conclusion

The truth is "childhood was real". Those smiles were not fake. Our joy was pure. We laughed from our hearts, even when we didn’t have much. We didn’t need expensive toys or phones to feel happy. Just rain, sand, mangoes, and each other. Life now feels faster, louder, and sometimes heavier. But whenever I think about those simple days, I smile. I feel lucky to have lived that life.

I may be grown now, but those memories? They live in me. I carry them with pride. Because that childhood shaped the person I’ve become today.

Pictures: From internet.

Thank you for reading 💛
Inviting @mercybliss @etoro @davidmarkgeorge @imohmitch