Joe climbs the tree in spitting rain and cuts down three large palm fruit bunches. The rains started late this year, so harvesting of palm fruits were postponed until just after the first heavy rains. According to Northern Cross River custom, the fruits must drink one heavy dose of rain and have one vigorous vacuuming of chaff from the fruit bunches before they are brought down. The fruits are allowed no more rain and covered up with large banana leaves, left to soften for a few days.