THE LEGEND OF KIWAKAAZI

Kiwakaazi and Kaki finally arrived at the buduga (serpent’s bridge) which connected the land of the shinkos to the land of the nhutus. It was a beautiful bridge made of concrete and shaped like a serpent. Flowing beautifully under the bridge was the Gajun (Blue River) that served as the home of the blue and single-headed serpent, the sibudu. The buduga was about 20 feet above the Gajun and stretched a little over a hundred meters – approximately 110 meters in length. Sitting at the foot of the bridge was a man; not a beast or even a half-beast but a complete human male. He was well built – perfect balance between height and muscle. He had three distinct marks on his face; one on either side of his cheeks and one on his chin. He wore a long white robe from shoulder to feet. The robe did not have buttons exposing his muscular African chest and a few of his six packs. A white thread served as belt around his waist. His eyes were closed and he sat in complete silence with a sword similar to the kafunde in his lap.

The difference between Aran’s weapon and the kafunde was that, the kafunde had five sharp edges and four thin and flat surfaces. It was like a pyramid or cone with a circular base. Aran’s weapon on the other hand had only three sharp edges and two thin but flat surfaces; the Sikan dompesan (the three-edged bone sword).

“You have finally arrived. It took you longer than I expected. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Arangosango shinko son of Bagunasango and great, great grandson of Sangosi,” were the first words Aran spoke to Kiwakaazi when he opened his eyes. He slowly got up and picked up his weapon with his right hand. Aran smiled and whispered, “You remind me of him.”

It is time to pause and go back some five centuries ago, to the time of Kiwakaazi II and Dedeli. The morning after Kiwakaazi II told Dedeli the fascinating story about his name, he had breakfast with Empress Ashanti. Kiwakaazi was quite as usual. Empress Ashanti asked, “What is the problem? You have been awfully quite since I opened my doors to you. Am I that bad a host?”

Kiwakaazi II just sat behind a bowl of porridge staring at it. He had lost his appetite. He lifted his head and his eyes met Empress Ashanti’s eyes. He said, “I am sorry I have been a terrible guest.” “Oh, he speaks,” thought Empress Ashanti. “That girl I spoke to last night was your daughter, right?” asked Kiwakaazi II. “Yes, why do you ask?” answered Empress Ashanti. “If you will pardon me, if you will let me go. I promise to find a cure to her ailment,” answered Kiwakaazi. Empress Ashanti just stared at him for a while. Kiwakaazi waited for her answer. She smiled and asked, “You don’t know her. Why do you want to help a complete stranger?” Kiwakaazi, still wearing a sad face answered, “Because she is no stranger to my heart.”

A couple of hours later, Empress Ashanti met with her elders and explained why she decided to accommodate Kiwakaazi II. He was a hero; Dedeli’s hero. He was the man, or boy in this case, that her daughter had been patiently waiting for. He had demonstrated the three signs and had openly expressed his desire to help her. But the elders were not ready to let a dangerous boy like Kiwakaazi II lose. They suggested to let him go if he will accept travelling with someone they trusted.

Young Arangosango was kneeling before Jaaziba (Empress) Ashanti whom sat on a stool with both palms on her knees. She wore her beautiful kente cloth and a wreath around her head this time. Her bead necklace, bracelets and anklets complemented her beauty perfectly. Kneeling beside Arangosango on his right was young Kiwakaazi II. Her elders sat on stools to her left and right below the platform. Her bodyguards and ladies-in-waiting stood behind her. One of her ladies-in-waiting carried a soft pillow on which rested a wooden, curved sword. Empress Ashanti’s linguist and announcer stood on her right. He was holding a staff with an elephant carving on one side.

Her lady-in-waiting who carried the pillow took just about three steps to position herself on Empress Ashanti’s right. Empress Ashanti took the wooden sword covered with strange tattoos and placed it in on Kiwakaazi’s right shoulder. She prayed, “The gods protect you on your journey.” She lifted the sword and placed it on his left shoulder and again prayed, “The gods strengthen you on your journey.” Finally she placed it on his head and prayed, “The gods bless your heart and soul.” Then she did the same for Arangosango.

Arangosango, son of Bagunasango and great, great grandson of Sangosi was commanded to travel with Kiwakaazi. He was commanded to travel the length the breadth with this complete stranger in search of a cure for Princess Dedeli. He accepted the mission and promised to never return, to never embrace his mother, or train with his strict father, until he had accomplished his mission. He would keep an eye on the stranger. He would travel with him until they had found a way to save Princess Dedeli.

Kiwakaazi II was a free spirit. Even though he was a child very much like Aran, he was his own boss. He slept when he felt like; ate whatever he felt like eating; he played any game he wanted to play. Yes! He was a leader and should act more responsibly but no! He wouldn’t.

Aran on the other hand was raised almost like a Prince. Everything about him shouted “Mr. Meticulous!” He had to sleep at a designated time; talk in a certain way; he did not play at all unless it involved swords, bow and arrows; the food he ate was specially prepared and he had to take his time when chewing. Nothing like the barbaric way Kiwakaazi chewed his food.

Arangosango met Kiwakaazi’s family of Asoglis (wanderers) and he had to travel and live among these barbarians. He found himself in the company of simple and lowly men. At first he tried to keep his distance but was compelled to become lowly and simple himself after Kiwakaazi had a heart to heart talk with Arangosango.

“I know you are no ordinary child. You look really strong and powerful even at your age. But you are still a child. There must be some part of you that crave to do the simple things children do. We are all a family here even though we come from different parents – a family of brothers and sisters held by the strong bond of friendship. I do not know what you want in the future but I want to believe you, like me, want a world where all men can live in peace. If that is what you truly want, then, being friends with these people will be the first step,” advised Kiwakaazi.

That was the first discussion of many discussions between Kiwakaazi and Arangosango. Through their discussions, they both learned just how much they liked almost the same things. They both wanted a world of peace. They both loved Princess Dedeli which was a bit of a problem at the time and a cause of a major problem later. Kiwakaazi wanted to restore the Central Empire to its previous glory and Arangosango wanted to make the Southern Empire grow even stronger and more prosperous. They were similar and yet different. The differences taught them the importance of tolerance and the similarities made them feel connected. In another lifetime they might have been brothers, but in this lifetime they were complete strangers learning to be brothers.

After about six years had passed, Kiwakaazi and Aran had not yet found the cure. During all that time, Aran assumed the role as leader of the Asoglis while Kiwakaazi focused on finding the cure. Kiwakaazi III met with herbal healers, herbalists, priests and priestesses, wise men, western doctors, prophets and people he believed possessed any kind of knowledge that could be useful to his cause. He would describe the symptoms of Dedeli to these supposedly powerful and knowledgeable people hoping they knew something – anything – that could help him. But he always left empty handed. He always left disappointed. None of them could help him. None of them knew of a cure.

After the six-year period, Aran had his own followers, Asoglis (wanderers), who believed that Kiwakaazi II cared only about Dedeli and not the rest of them. Some of the Asoglis had never seen him and those who had seen him were slowly forgetting what he looked like. He assumed the role of a god; a god only Aran could contact which sounds impossible to me but hey that was how they felt. They called Aran their leader and whispered words of coup in his ears. At first Aran was adamant. He tried to defend Kiwakaazi and reported the growing uneasiness among his subjects to him. But Kiwakaazi was so focused on finding the cure that he did not give it much thought. He left everything to Aran. He told him to handle the situation in his stead. He had absolute faith in Aran.

Arangosango grew fond of the Asoglis. He was a man who loved to lead. He enjoyed how powerful it made him fee. A coup did not sound bad after sometime. He understood the Asoglis. A coup, however, will only divide the Asoglis because Kiwakaazi II still had many loyal followers; followers who would fight to the death for him. To avoid that, he challenged Kiwakaazi II to a duel – the winner rules and the loser, well…, just loses. Aran was strong. He had received training from his father since he had been about ten years old. Now at about nineteen years old, the same age as Kiwakaazi II, he felt he had honed his skills in fighting. Kiwakaazi was going to be no match for him at all.

So let’s find out if Arangosango mopped the floor with Kiwakaazi II or not.

“Fellow Asoglis (Wanderers), this day will never be forgotten!” shouted a man. He turned to his right and while pointing to a young man said, “Arangosango, son of the great Bagunasango and ancestor of Sangosi – a hero of the Akodindin (Great War) will take on Kiwakaazi…uh… Kiwakaazi leader of the Asoglis!” while pointing to Kiwakaazi on his left. “The winner becomes the leader of the Asoglis!” explained the match announcer.

Both Aran and Kiwakaazi II stood on opposite sides of this match announcer with wooden swords in their right hands. The announcer gestured for Kiwakaazi and Aran to draw closer. They did. He took a few steps backwards and shouted, “Fight!” Aran attacked first. He swung his wooden and attacked Kiwakaazi’s left and then his right. Kiwakaazi stopped both attacks with his wooden sword but the power behind both attacks was so great that, Kiwakaazi could barely stand on both feet.

Kiwakaazi II thought, “Such great power… Aran, can I beat you?”