G(caps)rowing up in Tamale meant being raised on the tall tales of Bilpela Kubili, the Bilpela Giant. Without TV or Internet, this legend spread across Dagbon and beyond, with everyone carrying their own version of the stories. These were not just tales; they were mysteries that made you laugh until your stomach hurt. You may ask, why the name Bilpela kubili? Kubili is the Dagbani word for giant. That is why he is called Bilpela kubili (Bilpela Giant).
The first thing you heard was that Bilpela Kubili was a walking mountain. During one panicked encounter with the military, he supposedly mistook armored cars for sandals. Forget dodging bullets; he was complaining about how small these Armored tankers were.
Then came the famous corn incident. A kind farmer offered Bilpela Kubili a taste of roasted corn. But Bilpela’s idea of a “taste” was to rotate through an entire ten-acre maize farm, one ear at a time. Two cobs? That was an insult to a man whose appetite was measured in small zip codes.
Another unforgettable tale was the poultry situation. A hen and her chicks, minding their own business, wandered into the Grand-sized crack in his foot. Imagine being that hen, suddenly discovering a surprisingly spacious empire to call home.
But the most outrageous story was about the Bilpela Dam. Forget geology or engineering projects. According to legend, the massive reservoir exists because Bilpela Kubili was doing laundry. He washed his underwear, gave it a casual squeeze, and the spray of droplets created a permanent body of water, and that is the Bilpela Dam we have today.
The best part of this saga is that it is not ancient history. Just yesterday, while driving on Yong Road, I saw the legend himself, the Giant, the myth, the accidental dam builder, riding a bicycle. I could not help but smile. What a great man.
Bilpela Kubili is still alive today. Though his stories have been exaggerated over time, he truly was a giant in his prime. Now an old man, he remains active in his daily life, carrying the weight of a legend that continues to inspire laughter, wonder, and mystery.
Share with us, which other funny stories have you heard about Bilpela Kubili?
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