Akueke is the young sister of six older brothers. Her father died after her birth, and Akueke becames attached to her maternal grandfather, who loves her in particular because of her resemblance to his wife. Akueke's mother died as Akueke was becoming a woman. Her brothers became concerned about her interactions with boys. They wanted her to choose a single boy to marry and stop flirting. Soon, Akueke became pregnant and took to bed sick.