THE LEGEND OF KIWAKAAZI

When Anambre was young he used to ask people he met, people he knew and people he loved only three questions. “Who are you?” Where do you come from?” and “Where will you go?” Perhaps he was testing people to find out just how much knowledge they had about themselves — the reality and existence of a Supreme Being called the Shosuma within them. Or maybe he was just looking for answers. Anyway, by the time he started his divine mission, he provided answers to these questions.

“You are a Shosuma (Life) and you came from Alaami (Home of Eternal Peace) and this is where you must return.” These were the simple answers he provided to these questions. He earned the name Gyaati-so-Dzani(messenger of Knowledge). But he was not the only Gyaati.

Lightning struck again from above. Once again Kiwakaazi was quick enough to avoid being struck by it. He disappeared with Deila right before it struck the earth where they stood. A portion of the earth rose. It was like boiling mud. It boiled until it assumed the form of a human. A small fire was lit at the center of its chest. Air entered the chest and supported the fire to burn which spread throughout the body until Safihutu with flesh, bones and blood became apparent. Kiwakaazi said, “Listen carefully to me Deila. I have a plan that will help us defeat her but I will need you at maximum power.”

Before Anambre came and even after he left, the priests and priestesses were the mouthpieces of the ruhas (gods) and ruhushis (goddesses). They were not referred to as Gyaatis but they considered themselves so. They talked to the gods and whatever the gods wanted the people to know was passed on through them. And when disaster strikes, the concerns of the people were relayed to the gods through the priests and priestesses. So they too were Gyaatis – Gyaati-so-ruha (Messengers of the gods).

During that time and even after, the chiefs and their priests commanded all the power. They were the most feared and the most respected. The Chief of Wetinga under the influence of Ishfa’s eldest son, Yezar (god of pride or ego) felt he was losing power. His chief priest shared in these sentiments as well. And why not? In the past, farmers after harvesting will present a great portion of their harvest to their chiefs and priests as a token of thanksgiving to the gods. Hunters gave the largest portion of their game to the chiefs and priests and fishermen offered their fishes with joy and singing in their hearts. The chiefs and priests had everything and the best part too, they were all for free.

With Anambre around; no more gifts and no more freebies. Only a few people send cassava, meat, fish and free clothing. They all went to Anambre who did nothing with it. He only distributed it to the poor and hungry in society. He stole away their gifts and gave it to charity?! Who the hell does that? But that was not all. Men have always been afraid of death and have feared people whom can bring them closer to it even more. This was the real power of a chief or a priest. With one word, they can end anyone’s life in the blink of an eye. But somehow Anambre’s message made his followers more and more unafraid of death. With this fear gone, a chief or priest’s power diminished. Anambre must go.

“I want you to produce the sound. You must be able to sustain it for a long time; about two minutes. This duration will be enough to force her to change back to human and be killed by your super sound. I will need you at your maximum so do not get involved. I will distract her while you build up your energy,” explained Kiwakaazi to Deila. She said, “I understand, but don’t you think she will know we are up to something if I just stop fighting? I will help you fight until I can produce the cry of death for as long as it is required, then I will use it.” They discussed this plan while Safihutu was rising from the dead. When her transformation was complete, she looked younger, more beautiful and stronger than before.

Safihutu brought the fight to the ground. Kiwakaazi disappeared. He attacked her right with his kafunde. She planted her spear into the ground on her right. Kiwakaazi’s kafunde clashed with it. Her left hand was free. She pointed her left index finger at Kiwakaazi and shot fire at him. He disappeared and appeared almost immediately brushing fire off his left shoulder.

Deila attacked Safihutu from behind. Safihutu waved her left hand behind her and strong wind struck and pushed Deila to the ground. She looked up and many sharp kite-shaped ice crystals were falling. Kiwakaazi had already released his five golden swords to attack the ices and disappeared as well. Some of the crystals were smashed and destroyed by the golden swords and those that escaped the swords injured both Kiwakaazi and Deila. Deila said, “She is too strong.” Kiwakaazi agreed but they can’t stop trying. They have to keep on fighting until Deila is ready.

Kiwakaazi attacked from behind and above and again she held her spear horizontally above her head. The kafunde clashed with the spear and Kiwakaazi disappeared. Three of his golden swords attacked. One from her left; the second from her right and the third from behind. Safihutu erected three rock pillars in those directions and suddenly the earth beneath Kiwakaazi’s feet became spiky. He jumped and was standing on two of his golden swords above the ground sizing Safihutu from her fore. Deila gave Kiwakaazi a nod from behind Safihutu. ‘She is ready,’ he thought. ‘Time to shake you up, Safiri Nhutu.’

Nayiri Walanka and his chief priest called for a meeting. This meeting was attended by about fifteen chiefs and thirty-three chief priests. Nayiri Walanka explained to the chiefs and priests that Anambre’s teachings were doing more harm than good. It was causing conflict in homes and among friends and neighbors. The chief of Wetinga asked the other chiefs to pledge their support to him because Anambre had a large following. People he had brainwashed. Killing him might incite violence and even war. But if they stand together, they can calm their people down. Twelve chiefs and twenty high priests pledged their support. Nayiri Walanka was satisfied. He has won over majority of the house. Now, he can rest. “Wise Anambre, your days are numbered,” he thought.

Safihutu changed into an ice sculpture when Deila started screaming. A minute later, the sculpture shattered into tiny pieces of ice. Kiwakaazi learned that Safihutu was using the air around her body to predict their movements. She quickly interprets small changes in the air and uses them to work out a defense and counter attack. That was why she was always one step ahead of him.

 This time the cry was loud and intense. Kiwakaazi would have been affected if he was not a Rahasi. Deila used her sound technique for a long time and Safihutu was forced to make an appearance. Kiwakaazi saw a form rise from the surface of one the pools inside the valley. He guessed it was Safihutu. He waited patiently and by the time she had assumed the form of a human being, five golden blades have been planted in various parts of her body; one through her head, two in her neck, one in her chest and one in her abdomen.

She was still standing, bleeding and slowly started to change. It looked like a cloth was wrapping around her legs. Deila had stopped crying. She landed next to Kiwakaazi and the two stood side by side watching their opponent die temporarily. “Is it finally over?” she questioned.

Anambre was sitting under a mango tree. Many of his followers gathered around him. Some were wearing sad faces and others looked angry. He was busy teaching them when three guards from the chief’s palace approached. They arrested Anambre accusing him of spreading falsehood, treason and other crimes. He was dragged to the chief’s palace to be judged and sentenced.