THE LEGEND OF KIWAKAAZI

Once upon a time, a great battle was fought between good and evil on earth. King Kofie of Ari wanted to rule the world. He summoned the immortal army of darkness and surrendered to darkness itself. With his immortal army, he defeated many kingdoms. The few remaining kingdoms joined forces. They were commanded by a couple – King Rokoto and his wife Queen Ayele of Gambua. It was these two who consulted Ko-a-bisa (witch trapped in the light caves). They wanted to find a way to defeat the dark king of Ari. They did not enter the cave because they say no man can enter the caves. But the witch asked the couple to enter her cave. They did and nothing happened to them. The witch looked at the King and his wife. She touched them, smelled them and said “the answer is right here – it is you two.” The King and his wife were baffled, how can they kill an immortal King and his immortal army?

Jaaziba Ashanti said “Oh, look at the time. It is very late. You have to rest now my dear. I will continue the story tomorrow.” She got up, ready to leave when her daughter caught her hand and said “if you do not end this story tonight, I cannot sleep. I will lie awake thinking about the story all night. I beg you mother. Please end the story.”

Jaaziba Ashanti said “fine, I will continue but I can’t promise ending it. It is a very long story.” Tinle Dedeli made a face as if she was sad and wanted to cry. Her mother sighed and continued.

They returned to their homes without the answer they wanted. They asked the witch to tell them exactly how they were going to defeat the immortal dark armies and all she said was by opening the gates of love. “How?” they asked the witch. She shrugged and handed them her walking stick. She told them to take it with them and they did hoping it was going to help them.

The day of the battle finally came and the couple was able to open the gates of love. Opening this gate bestowed great power on them and with that power they defeated and sealed the army of darkness in the light caves after they realized Ko-a-bisa was gone. She escaped. The light caves were henceforth named the caves of darkness.

But victory came with a price. King Rokoto died and his wife blessed with so much power became the ruler of Gambua. She was succeeded by their only daughter and that started a new tradition in Gambua – women ruled in that kingdom. To commemorate the success of the love masters, the love festival was started and celebrated in every kingdom of the world.

Dedeli looked very silent. Her mother asked her “what is it, my darling?” She said “nothing mother.” Her mother said “if you are not going to tell me then I will end the story right this instant.” “Please don’t mother. I was just wondering if love alone can help win a war. Is love that powerful?” asked Dedeli. Her mother, Empress Ashanti smiled. “You have no idea” answered Jaaziba Ashanti. She continued.

Mothers are really special. Queen Sinti, queen and now ruler of Gambua moved from one servant to the next. She looked worried and scared. She was looking for something; something precious indeed. Empress Ashanti placed her palm on her daughter’s cheeks and her daughter placed her palm on her mother’s. They both smiled. Empress Ashanti continued the story.

Queen Sinti caught up with the eldest servant in her palace. She was like a mother to the queen so she affectionately calls her “maame” (meaning mother). “Maame, I have not seen my daughter since morning. Have you seen her anywhere?” inquired the queen. She was already in tears. Maame grabbed both her arms and said “calm down your majesty. I am sure she is fine. She is probably somewhere within the kingdom making friends on this day of love. Who knows, she might even fall in love and come back home with the next king of Gambua.” Queen Sinti relaxed and said “I hope you are right. I just can’t shake this bad feeling.”

Yes, the day was coming when the whole world will join hands to celebrate the great festival of love. The palace was bustling with activity and in fact the entire world was probably getting ready to celebrate the achievements of love. But whilst people were getting ready, the princess was trying her best not to die. Empress Ashanti noticed just how attentive her daughter was. She must truly be enjoying the story. “What happened, mother? Go on, continue the story,” demanded Dedeli.

The princess was being pursued by a beast. It looked like a giant bat with a long, slender but bushy tail that could roar. Empress Ashanti made a scary face, lifted her arms and tried to roar. Beautiful Dedeli was so impressed with her mother’s acting that she laughed. In that moment she forgot all about the pains she might feel and laughed. She did not laugh that hard but she just stopped and made a face. She was in pain. Her mother paused and asked “are you alright dear?” She smiled and said “I am fine mother.” “Are you sure,” demanded Empress Ashanti. “I felt a slight pain but it is gone now. Please continue the story,” answered Dedeli. Ashanti was not sure. Maybe she overdid it when she tried acting. “I am fine, please continue” insisted Dedeli. Ashanti made eyes at her daughter. Then, she continued.

The princess stumbled and fell face down. She heard the roar above her. She sat and turned to face the beast from above. Her face looked beautiful even in the face of death. The beast suddenly flew at top speed towards her. She was too afraid to run. She closed her eyes, lifted her arms and screamed very loudly. She screamed for a long time and realized nothing was happening to her. She stopped, opened her eyes and looked up. The beast was not there. She heard movement on her left. She turned and saw someone entangled with the beast. This mysterious person overpowered the beast, pinned it to the ground and punched it in the face several times.

The princess watched her hero fighting so hard to save her and all she could think about was to run. She got up and ran. She put quite some distance between her hero and the bat when she heard a really loud roar. It scared her but she suddenly felt the urge to return. She wanted to save herself first but somehow found herself back – back where he was fighting the beast.

It appeared this hero was not quite good at saving damsels in distress. The princess saw him passed out on the ground. The beast was already moving towards him. She rushed to his side. The beast saw her kneeling next to him. She shook his body and shouted “get up! Get up!” The beast drew its claws and attacked with enough speed and force to impale her hero. The princess did not know what to do. She just placed her body on top of the hero — she shielded him.