THE LEGEND OF KIWAKAAZI

Kiwakaazi and Anambre were present when the twins Attawaazi and Bakaazi met their parents. The twins expressed their displeasure in the decision taken by their parents. Their parents should have told them first. They would have been prepared for it. They would have welcomed it. Feitu was their brother and they were happy for him. But instead their parents chose to surprise them and they did not like surprises. Their dear father had let them down. They no longer felt welcome in the Central Empire. They asked for permission and blessings to leave.

Kiwakaazi (the first) understood his sons. But he expected them to know that this was not only his or their mother’s decision. He made the right choice after all. Maybe not Attawaazi, but, Bakaazi should have known that this was the Will of Almighty Akaani and he should have embraced it in all humility. But to come before him talking about leaving home just because they were not chosen is a clear indication of how their hearts were still being ruled by pride. Somewhere within them they felt they were the only two who could lead the Empire and that was false. He agreed and let his two sons go. Kaazi Kiwakaazi I and his wife, Kaaziba Ouzie blessed their sons first. They also provided for their journey a large portion of their wealth.

Attawaazi journeyed westwards and was welcomed into the palace of a mighty king, Nana Okra Kwadwo I, ruler of Okereman. Okereman was south of the west. Nana Okra Kwadwo only welcomed Attawaazi because of the great respect he had for Kaazi Kiwakaazi I. But after Attawaazi changed Okereman, Nana Okra Kwadwo I was only filled with admiration for the young prince of Nananompofie (Central Empire) and was proud to name him his successor.

Bakaazi journeyed southwards. On his way, he was captured and imprisoned in Ugan, a very poor village ruled by a ruthless chief, Chief Atuk. The south was the most volatile and the poorest part of the continent. There were only about three or four kingdoms and the remaining villages could not agree on anything. They continued to fight and kill each other. This affected everything: economic growth, sanitation, health, and so on.

Ugan was famous for its prisons. Chief Atuk of Ugan kept many prisoners. Bakaazi was one of the prisoners in one of Ugan’s many and crowded wooden prisons. Two dead bodies were undergoing decomposition and seven other inmates were sick; coughing and shaking with fever. Bakaazi had been in that cell for three days without food or water and he was beginning to feel it. The food that was served was little and the prisoners fight like dogs over it. Bakaazi just sat in a corner and minded his own business.

On the morning of the fourth day, Chief Atuk paid his prisoners a visit; something he does when he has fresh captives and wants to get rid of the dead, weak and useless prisoners. He commanded his guards to open the cell and carry out the dead and weak. They obeyed and removed the sick and weak from the lot. Bakaazi was lucky and spared. Chief Atuk and his guards turned and while leaving, they heard someone from inside the prison shout, “You!” The chief stopped, turned and asked, “Who shouted?”

Attawaazi started to use his mental abilities to change Okereman. The young ladies of Okereman did not have to walk long distances to fetch water. During such journeys they were raped or kidnapped for rituals. The snake, scorpion and insect bites that were killing the people of Okereman ended when Attawaazi helped prepare herbal remedies for them. Okereman soon boasted of beautiful architecture, roads and food supply was always in excess. Slowly Okereman was becoming the wealthiest kingdom in the world. Attawaazi “humbly” married the daughter of Nana Okra Kwadwo I and he was crowned as Nana Okra Tutu I after Nana Okra Kwadwo I expired.

All the men in the cell moved away from the source of the voice. This brave but foolish soul took a few steps forward to face the most feared chief of Ugan, Chief Atuk. Chief Atuk asked, “Are you the one who just shouted?” The foolish prisoner answered, “Yes!” The prisoner went on to ask, “What is your plan for these prisoners you keep?” Behind him some of the prisoners were sweating and others were busily chewing their finger nails. Some were however praying not to get into trouble because of one foolish man. The chief smiled and said, “You are one brave man. What is your name?” The prisoner answered, “I am Bakaazi, son of the white eagle.” The chief could not believe it. “You are the son of Kaazi Kiwakaazi?” asked the chief in a very surprised tone.

After Nana Okra Tutu I (Attawaazi) left home he had a dream and a plan. He carefully chose the west because he wanted to build an empire that would be more beautiful, powerful and prosperous than Nananompofie. He is the eldest and should rule. In his mind, the only reason why he was not chosen was because he showed the least interest in his father’s teachings about Akaani (The Nameless One). But guess what, you don’t need to be spiritual to be a good leader. That was the point Attawaazi wanted to prove. And his plan was working. The western kingdoms loved what Attawaazi had done and what he was doing with Okereman and one after the other they swore allegiance to Nana Okra Tutu I (Attawaazi). There was, however, one proud King, Quaazi Sesenyo (Intelligent Sesenyo), ruler of Lomnava (Come and experience Love) whom refused to swear allegiance to Nana Okra Tutu I.

Honestly, Chief Atuk had no plans for his prisoners. He kept them so that the other villages would fear him. That was why he did not care whether they lived or died. However, after learning about the identity of one of his prisoners, he realized he needed to pay more attention. First, he had Bakaazi temporarily released and had a chat with him about how he (Bakaazi) would handle the prison problem. He was wowed by Bakaazi’s insight on the subject. He immediately released Bakaazi permanently and made him administrator of his prison.

Bakaazi transformed the prison of Ugan. He used the little knowledge he had about herbs to save as many sick prisoners as he possibly could. Second, he divided the prisoners into two groups. The first group comprising of mostly women worked on farms. The second group, mostly men were trained to fight for Ugan. He convinced the Ugan chief to embark on a great campaign. Ugan was waging war on his neighbors and would conquer them all. This way, Ugan would grow into a kingdom and who knows, maybe someday, it would unite the kingdoms and villages of the south into an empire. The preparations had begun when a message came from one of the few kingdoms in the south, Gambua.

In Nana Okra Tutu I’s (Attawaazi’s) dream, the capital of his new empire would be the very land Lomnava was occupying. It was the perfect spot. It was all part of his big plan and he was not ready to change it because of one stubborn king. His advisors advised he wage war on Lomnava but Attawaazi refused. Instead, he suggested they found the king’s weakness and exploit it. King Sesenyo of Lomnava had no weakness according to Attawaazi’s spies. The only option was war but according to Attawaazi, war was supposed to be the last resort. So he used the one trick which later became known by the code name “Princess Ife” among western Quaazis (Emperors).

Kaazi Kiwakaazi had unique sons. His first two sons, Attawaazi and Bakaazi looked a lot like their father but they showed little interest in their father’s teachings. Attawaazi was brilliant. He used his mind to solve human problems and simplify life. Bakaazi was not as intelligent as Attawaazi but it is said that he never told a lie all his life and his reward for being honest was a unique ability to charm people. People listen to him and would not hesitate to follow his lead. Ruthless Atuk listened to him — that is proof, right? And even when some of the soldiers of Atuk became jealous and tried to poison the mind of the chief against Bakaazi saying, “The prisoners follow his every command. He may someday use them to overthrow you,” he did not listen. He trusted Bakaazi completely. So what exactly did Feitu have? What was so special about him that he was chosen?

Feitu, like his two older brothers looked more like his father than his mother. He was the first of Kaazi Kiwakaazi’s sons to show genuine interest in Akaani (The Nameless One). He was gentle, kind and sweet. He was humble and loved art. He composed many beautiful songs and poetry. He was also responsible for a great deal of the artwork in Nananompofie. He was responsible for the eagle sculpture; the sculpture of his parents; the painting of his family and some… I kind of don’t remember.

After his two brothers had left, Feitu travelled to Muluashi. Muluashi was situated in the northern part of the Central Empire and famous for a very beautiful waterfall. Feitu wanted to capture that majestic waterfall on canvas. He set up on a hill that provides the best view. The air on top of the hill was great. He drew in a couple deep breaths and exhaled after each one. He looked around and realized the task ahead of him was daunting. Not only was the waterfall beautiful but the environment around it was also beautiful — evergreen grass, flowers, insects and birds were prominent. He wanted to capture it all in his work. This might take all day but he was a patient man. While still standing, he started painting. He dipped his brush in paint and made strokes on his white board. He was focused. He was determined and he moved his right hand firmly. After about six minutes of punishing his board, he paused to assess his work. He admired it. It will turn out great, he decided.

Suddenly, he heard giggling. He was not alone. He moved from behind his board and after taking a few steps, saw six girls swimming butt naked in the river just beneath the waterfall. Feitu had never seen naked girls his entire life and was aroused. Disappointed in his own lack of self-control, he gave up on his work and travelled back home to the imperial city, Tsutsukoman (Ancient City) immediately.

For many days Feitu’s mind continued to paint naked girl images. The images he saw stayed with him and tormented him. All he could see when he looks at any girl was nakedness and it was driving him crazy. Kaazi Kiwakaazi I visited his son in his bed room one evening and asked if he was alright. Feitu was ashamed and lied to his father’s face. His mother also visited about five days later around the same time and asked if Feitu had anything on his mind to share. Feitu smiled and rather asked his mother, “Why are you and father so worried about me? I am fine.” Kaaziba Ouzie explained to her son that they were worried because he was their son. They know him and they know when he is troubled. One thing he should remember is that they love him no matter what and would not judge him. On the contrary, they would support and advise him when needed. Feitu understood but insisted he was peachy. He just didn’t want his parents to know that he had a weakness.

He was invited to the wedding of his best friend Prince Duba of Akoman and Princess Ailla of Zimakro. During the Saharaifa, weddings did not require best men. If it did, Feitu would have been the best man. Prince Duba loved Feitu like a brother. They have been friends since age five and have gone through many things together. One of these incidents will prove lifesaving later. Feitu was given a special room; the room that separated Duba’s room from his bride’s room. There was a door linking Feitu’s room to his friend’s room and another door linking his room to Princess Ailla’s room.

This world itself is a mystery and the happenings within this world are even more mysterious. Feitu found himself between a hard place and a rock. His mind will not let him eat or sleep or think clearly. All his eyes could see were naked women everywhere he turned and a longing to touch them. One evening, in his moment of weakness and for no apparent reason, he opened and entered the princess’s room. And guess what he saw: another naked, firm, and black body. Talk about tough luck.