THE LEGEND OF KIWAKAAZI

Sometimes a man finds himself in a place and he is sure that, that is exactly where he wants to be. He dreamed it; planned for it and probably worked tirelessly to get there. Such a man may still want more but finds some contentment in what he has achieved. But what if you go on a journey you never planned for, to a destination you did not even know existed. This is the story of Kiwakaazi — the man whom went on a mysterious journey and found himself in a mysterious forest.

Kiwakaazi was not expecting a complete human being to be the leader of furry beasts. He looked completely stunned. He turned and looked at Kaki whom nodded as if to say, “Yes, that is really Aran shinko.” But how was it possible? How come he can turn himself into a perfect human being?

Aran seeing the surprised look on Kiwakaazi’s face explained the phenomenon to him. “I can see you are surprised to see me like this. Let me tell you something you do not know, young intruder, about shinkos. What you see when you look at a shinko is an angry-looking, strong beast. Yes! Shinkos have a lot of anger in them. There is also a great deal of pride in shinkos. But the one power that pulls the strings in all shinkos is fear. Fear is the underlying power and the shinko that has control over its fear can manifest the human form completely.”

“So that is how it works.” thought Kaki. This probably explains why she was able to take on a full human form when Kiwakaazi-turned-Rahasi attacked her. He was under the control of the kafunde and was going to kill her. But she was not afraid. She was overwhelmed with love and a genuine desire to save Kiwakaazi. Letting go of fear does the trick. She finally understood.

She stepped forward and said, “Kay, you take the lead – go battle the budu and I will take care of things here.” “Are you sure?” asked Kiwakaazi.

“Are you sure you want to fight me all alone?” asked Aran also. “I don’t get it. Why, why are you so determined to protect this rug rat? Many men have entered Nomposuro — sages, priests, warriors and men of great knowledge — and they all failed. Looking at him, he appears to be the weakest man to have ever entered this forest. He reeks of fear, indecisiveness and a lack of conviction. He is already dead to me. And yet you, Kaki, want to protect him. Why?” questioned the grand Shinko.

Kiwakaazi lowered his head. Aran was right. He was frightened to be in the forest and more frightened of what he perceived the forest was turning him into. Who was he?

If his memory serves him right, he is the only son of Obenfo (doctor or professor) Molade and his wife Naa Lamle both residents of Nyansapofie(meaning home of intelligence and imperial city) of the Western Empire or Nibooman.

The Western Empire was the home of technology and science. Picture any great city of this modern world with spherical buildings and that will be the Western Empire. Some called them the children of Attawaazi (The eldest son of Kaazi Kiwakaazi I). Some also call them children of Saharama (The sun god). They built huge and many solar panels which harnessed the sun’s energy and converted it into electricity. With electrical energy, they advanced in the manufacturing of almost everything the modern world now has; cars, trains, planes and choppers for transportation; they had hospitals and clinics to treat the sick and dying; they had organizations and bureaus in charge of security, health, agriculture and so on.

It had been almost seven years since Kiwakaazi and his family moved to Nyansapofie from Tumushie (his parents’ hometown and apparently where he was born). This happened a few months prior to his thirteenth birthday when his father was appointed the Director of The Central Research Bureau into Herbs and Medicines (CREBIHEM). The Bureau’s head office was in the Imperial City and Kiwakaazi’s family had to relocate. Life was different in Nyansapofie. Unlike Tumushie, in Nyansapofie Kiwakaazi finally made friends whom were not his parents.

One very beautiful Saturday morning, Obenfo Molade paid Kiwakaazi a visit. He came bearing some good news. It was the kind of good news that comes with a ‘but’. Obenfo Molade explained that one of their senior research scientists had been posted to head CREBIHEM’s branch in Tumushie to fill in his father’s shoes. The bureau was considering making Kiwakaazi a senior research scientist. He would run his own team. He would pursue his own kind of research. He would earn more money and earn more respect. It won’t be long when Kiwakaazi will be running CREBIHEM as director becoming the sixth person from the Ade family to be appointed Director of CREBIHEM. Kiwakaazi pictured it. He liked it. So what is the ‘but’ to this good news?

 In Nyansapofie (the capital city of Nibooman), Kiwakaazi’s closest friends were three; Nii Addo; the son of Chief Amara, owner of Amara energy group – the largest energy company during the civilization. Prince Dzifa, the nephew of Quaazi Deladem, ruler of Nibooman (Western Empire), and Samia, the daughter of the man who owned the largest shares in Nyansapofie Imperial Bank.

They were fairly good friends. In fact, they could make things happen for Kiwakaazi. But his father wanted Kiwakaazi to distant himself from these three. They were a bad influence his father felt. They did not have a single care or worry in this world. They did not have any goals or dreams in this world. Their dreams had been dreamed for them by virtue of birth. Someday, Nii Addo would run Amara energy group. Samia has plenty money, and Prince Dzifa was leading the race for who will become the next Quaazi.

Kiwakaazi is the only one who personally achieved everything he currently had and everything he will have in the future through hard work. He graduated from Ahanbanfie (School of Herbs and Medicines) at age sixteen, the youngest ever, through hard work. He earned the title Onimdefo (Young Doctor) after he worked hard to discover the tsofako (cure of a thousand ailment). Some of his friends call him Sinduye (the black genius) because they believed he was as intelligent as the first man to be called that – Attawaazi. And when he was employed to work as a junior research scientist at CREBIHEM at age seventeen, no one complained. No one thought it was nepotism because everyone acknowledged his hard work.

Kiwakaazi’s dearest mother, Naa Lamle also acknowledged his hard work. That was why on the day of his graduation from Ahanbanfie (School of Herbs and Medicines), she gave him a necklace and two bracelets made from beads. She travelled to the south to study how to make the necklace and bracelets. She returned with a necklace and two bracelets she swore she made herself for her precious son.

When she handed the box containing the beads to her son, he asked, “What is in the box, Mother?” His mother excitedly answered, “Open it.” He opened it and saw a necklace made from beads and two bracelets made from similar beads inside. He made a face. Naa Lamle smiled. She knew Kiwakaazi was not a big fan of cultural and religious items. She picked the necklace first and forced it around his neck. She said, “I made them for you myself. It will bring you good luck not because it is charmed but because it is imbued with your mother’s love – my love.” Kiwakaazi himself picked one bracelet and around his right wrist it went. And while his mother was putting the second bracelet around his left wrist, he said, “I love it mother. Thank you.” He gave his mother a big hug forcing brave Naa Lamle to cry.

People are beginning to question Kiwakaazi’s hard work. He absents himself from work frequently and on the days he shows up, he is always late but first to close from work. Obenfo Molade understood. All work and no play will make Kiwakaazi dull — but it has been all play and no work recently. Kiwakaazi was not at fault. He always wanted friends. He was not picky. He chose friends who only know how to have a good time. He has been staying up late partying with them. They drink, get high, and have indiscriminate sex. He is almost always too tired for work. His friends must go.

Kiwakaazi listened to his father’s summon but his answer was, “NO! I am not giving my friends up.” Obenfo Molade just advised, “Don’t answer now. Think about it.” Kiwakaazi insisted, “I am never going to distant myself from my friends.” Obenfo Molade was enraged. He shouted, “You are my son and you will do what I ask you to do!” Kiwakaazi yelled back at his father, “I am not a child anymore father! I can make my own decisions and I am not going to do what you asked! You complain…? You are no saint. I know, father. I remember seeing you in bed with another woman when I was young. I am just like my father.” Obenfo Molade raised his hand and almost slapped Kiwakaazi across his face. He stopped himself. Obenfo Molade said, “You are no longer my son. I never want to see you again,” and left Kiwakaazi’s apartment.

Kiwakaazi was hurt. His father was his first best friend. They had never argued or fought before. He turned to Nii Addo for support and advice. “Why do you think we do this?” asked Nii Addo. “It is because our fathers treat us the same way your father just treated you. They don’t respect us and want to control us. That is why we show them we are our own bosses by doing what we do – throwing parties, drinking and having sex to take back control from them.” So Kiwakaazi also did the same and his hard work was gone. He became worse than before. He lost his promotion and his father was seriously considering firing him.

A week passed and Obenfo Molade was summoned to Quaazi Deladem’s palace. Emperor Deladem himself welcomed Obenfo Molade. He offered him a seat and some wine. Both men sat facing each other in comfortable leather seats in a very beautiful, spacious and large hall. A large rectangular table separated Quaazi Deladem and Obenfo Molade. There was a folder on the table. Two muscular men in dark glasses stood behind Quaazi Deladem. Quaazi Deladem asked Obenfo Molade about his health and life in general. Obenfo Molade was healthy. His family was healthy and life in Nyansapofie was great. Quaazi Deladem asked Obenfo Molade to be honest and share his thoughts about the state of affairs in the west. Obenfo Molade explained that Nibooman had never been more prosperous. Crime rate has reduced; mortality rate was on the low. The people were generally happy. In Obenfo Molade’s opinion, Emperor Deladem is one of the best leaders in Western Empire history.

Quaazi Deladem was touched. He sensed honesty in the voice of a man he genuinely respected. He thanked Obenfo Molade. He begged Molade to share any flaws he recognizes in his leadership in the future. His doors were always opened to great minds like Obenfo Molade. Obenfo Molade promised he would do as requested and thanked Quaazi Deladem for the trust and respect he has shown him.

Quaazi Deladem said, “Now, let’s talk about the main reason why I summoned you here.” Quaazi Deladem turned to look back. One of the two men who stood behind him quickly moved. He picked up the folder and handed it to Obenfo Molade. Molade opened the folder. The word “Project Ife” was the title of this project. It was all Molade needed to see.

He raised his head and gazed into Quaazi Deladem’s eyes. He said, “Consider it done your majesty. But please give me some time.” “Take all the time you need to complete it. But I want you working with your son on this one.” Obenfo Molade’s expression changed. He looked worried. Quaazi Deladem noticed Obenfo Molade’s expression and asked, “Is there a problem?” Molade answered, “Not at all, your highness. I must ask your permission to leave. I need to start work on this right away.”

Obenfo Molade left still worried. How was he going to convince Kiwakaazi to work with him.