THE LEGEND OF KIWAKAAZI

“You must find the weapon and defeat Subrukutu (the four-armed guardian of hell) at once. Hurry, there is not enough time.” These were the words whispered into Kiwakaazi’s (second) ears by Kaazi (Emperor) Oko when they embraced.

Kiwakaazi II called for a meeting before he left for Jumapafie (Southern Empire). His followers totaling close to two hundred met him on the outskirts of Nananompofie. Kiwakaazi said, “The forest of Nananompofie (Home of the ancient ones or Central Empire) is still not safe. I will advise that no one enter the forest until it is safe.”

One man demanded, “What are you hiding? Tell us the truth!” Another man said, “It is you (pointing at Kiwakaazi II). Everywhere you go trouble and danger follows.” There was a lot of nodding, chattering and murmuring among the Asoglis (Wanderers). “We simply demand to know the truth. Tell us,” reiterated the first man. The gathering was growing impatient and some men were angrily chanting words like, “We need to know the truth!” and “Tell us the truth now!” and “Why are you always keeping us in the dark?” Something had to be done and the right person for doing something stepped in.

Aran rose and shouted, “Quiet… please be quiet! I do not have a brother but I am proud to call him mangozi (My brother). This man you see here (referring to Kiwakaazi II) is one of the few selfless people I have ever met. He will never lead you astray. I trust him and I ask you all to trust him.” Everyone was silent for a while. The first man to ask a question said, “Fine, we trust Aran and so we will trust his so-called mangozi (brother).” Many nodded in agreement and the meeting was adjourned.

Kiwakaazi II travelled to Jumapafie with Aran and they returned unsatisfied. Their journey to Jumapafie was to deliver a message and make a request. The message was simple: “Eureka! We have found it!” They had found the plant that can cure the princess only to be told a story about her miraculous recovery and how she is out in the world looking for Kiwakaazi II.

Kiwakaazi II got up, knelt on one knee before Empress Ashanti and, after placing his right palm on her shoulder, said, “She is fine. She is as strong as her mother.” Empress Ashanti looked into Kiwakaazi II’s eyes. She could not explain it but she always felt relaxed around Kiwakaazi II. She nodded in response. Kiwakaazi II said, “Now I need to ask you something.”

Let’s go back to the war that ended Nananompofie. It started during Kaazi (Emperor) Bona’s reign and ended during the reign of his successor, Kaazi Oko. Kaazi Oko was old and weak. He was lying in bed with his eyes closed. His two daughters; Siri and Saya sat on either side of his bed. Siri sat on his right and Saya on his left. Three of his elders, Kaazi Oko’s personal herbalist and six of his bodyguards were also present. His daughters were already in tears and the men wore serious faces in attempts to hide their pain and heartbreak. Suddenly, Kaazi Oko opened his eyes and rose from his bed. His daughters were frightened and they both stood up and took a few steps away. Saya said, “Father…?”

Elsewhere on the battle field, Todzi, the wielder of the Sikan nifanum (five edged sword); heir to the throne of Nananompofie and leader of the army of Nananompofie that defended the Central Empire from southern onslaught was falling. He fell after he battled Sangosi, the red scorpion, in a difficult battle that ended their lives. Both men had embraced one another with the sharp ends of their swords protruding through their backs. They both had blood coming out through their mouths. Before he fell, Todzi asked, “How did you do it?” Sangosi was too weak. They both collapsed to the ground and died.

Todzi’s second in command shouted, “Retreat!” and Sangosi’s second in command shouted, “Attack!” The same words were being shouted at the east, west and north. Lombe, guardian of the east; Baba Tunde, guardian of the west and Sadat the northern guardian all died mysteriously and almost at the same time. The warriors of the Central Empire were retreating while their enemies pursued them. Arrows were fired and killed many of them. Guns were blasted and blew away the bodies of Nananompofie warriors. All seemed lost and for the first time, it seemed Nananompofie was going to lose the war.

Kaazi Oko after suddenly being resurrected said, “We have to protect our people. This will be the last thing I will do as Kaazi (Emperor) and Gyaati (Messenger) of this land.” He coughed and clutched onto his chest. His daughters were worried and moved to his side. He said, “I am fine but I will need your help.”

Kiwakaazi (the second) asked Empress Ashanti, “Do you know what happened to Zakaru’s katui (Zakaru’s slayer) after Todzi was defeated?” Empress Ashanti looked worried. She asked, “Why do you want to know about that weapon?” Kiwakaazi II got up, turned his back to the ruler of Jumapafie and said, “P,lease tell me if you know.”

Kaazi Oko said “Siya, Siri, Kofie and Kuasi… come.” One after the other they knelt and received power from Kaazi Oko after he placed his right palm on their heads. He asked, “Do you know what to do?” They all answered in unison, “Yes!” and disappeared. Siya arrived at the north; Siri appeared at the south, Kofie appeared at the west and at east appeared Kuasi. Each one of them closed their eyes, clasped their hands, and shouted “Oogu Jaka Tumi…Sore!”

They opened their eyes and they were glowing as if they were sources of light. They sprinted and then ran towards their opponents. The further they ran, the more men dressed in white appeared around them. Their opponents; warriors of the west, east, north and south realized something big was coming. The word “Retreat!” could be heard echoing on every battle field. The retreating men looked back and noticed that the army in white was closing in on them and growing in number.

Kiwakaazi II and Aran returned to Nananompofie and that was when he met Dedeli. It was an emotional reunion that lasted only for a short while. Kiwakaazi and four other men were now in the forest. Of course Aran was present and the three men were Kuasi, Kunta and Fiifi. Kiwakaazi II remarked, “You didn’t have to come. I could have done this without your help.” Kunta answered saying, “Quit whining Kiwakaazi (the second). You cannot do everything alone.” Fiifi asked, “What exactly are we looking for?” Kiwakaazi was about to answer when they heard a loud roar.

Dedeli suddenly got up and asked, “Did you here that?” Safiri answered, “Yes, it sounded like the roar of a beast.” “No, that was no beast. That was the roar of a creature from hell!” shouted a man. Dedeli suddenly looked worried and moved towards the forest. Safiri and a few others stopped her. She was pretty determined and cried, “Let me go! He needs my help!” Safiri said, “Calm down your highness. I believe he is going to be fine. Please calm down.” Kiwakaazi II and his friends certainly heard that and instead of an answer, Kiwakaazi said, “We have to hurry. The seal on him is already weakening.”

Kiwakaazi and Anambre were in Kaazi Oko’s bedroom like ghosts. Two of the Kaazi’s bodyguards helped him to his feet and supported him on their shoulders. They carried him outside. The instant they stepped out, they looked up and noticed dark clouds around Nananompofie. With great struggle, Kaazi Oko said, “Hurry… he is almost here.” They hurriedly brought the Emperor outside of his palace. Lightning struck and then two creatures appeared.

Kiwakaazi turned to Anambre and while pointing at one of the creatures asked, “Is that a rahasi (guardian of hell)? I thought those creatures are residents of hell. How did one get here?” Kaazi Oko and his six bodyguards stared with worried faces. Kaazi Oko said, “Subrukutu and his fiery pet, Jankpanduri.” Anambre now answered, “That is no ordinary rahasi. That is Subrukutu (the four-armed guardian of hell) and his pet Jankpanduri (the fire bird).” Jankpanduri looked like a giant vulture that had been set on fire. Kaazi Oko commanded his bodyguards to touch him and they did. After a couple of minutes, he collapsed to his knees. His bodyguards were worried and tried to help him but he told them to focus on Subrukutu. He commanded, “Keep them busy until the four are ready.” Anambre looked at Kiwakaazi and said, “Come, I will show you how it got here.”

Kiwakaazi II and his four friends were now moving quickly through the forest cutting down branches, vines and anything that stood in their way. Kiwakaazi told his friends, “We are looking for the Sikan nifanum (the five-edged sword). Fiifi laughed and said, “You can’t be serious. That weapon does not exist. It is simply a myth.” Aran answered, “Well, it does exist and we are here to find it.” Kuasi expressed, “You are serious. So it really exists.” Kiwakaazi and Aran remained silent. They focused on cutting down the bushes that stood in their way. “Where is it and how do we find it?” demanded Fiifi.

Kiwakaazi and Anambre witnessed a meeting. Four men including Sangosi were in talks with a priest — a very powerful priest. He was a teacher and a miracle worker. He healed a blind man by simply placing his palm over the man’s eyes. He healed a man who was deaf by inserting his fingers into the man’s ears. A barren woman gave birth to triplets after he placed his palm on her stomach. He had a large following and was teaching them that death only takes people to Gbeleshie where they are judged but those who follow him will escape that fate. He is so powerful that he has a home in Vuiti (capital city of Gbeleshie). A man in his audience raised his hand. The priest gave him the opportunity to ask his question. “I have heard another man calling himself a Gyaati (messenger) teach his followers that there are other realms beyond Vuiti. The purest of which is Alaami. What do you know about that?” was the man’s question. The priest was surprised and remarked jokingly, “Tell me where to find this Gyaati and I will go and pay homage to him for he is great.” The man answered “He is the Kaazi of Nananompofie.”

This priest visited Kaazi Oko and asked that Kaazi Oko help him cross the fiery lake that separated Duiti and Rusa. Duiti was believed to be the home of Ishfa and Rusa was the first realm outside Ishfa’s three worlds. Kaazi Oko studied the priest for a long time. He tilted his head to his right and then to his left. He said, “Hmm… crossing the fiery lake will not be the problem. It will be passing through the eye of the needle.” “The eye of the needle…? What is that?” asked the priest.

Kiwakaazi told his friends that the Sikan nifanum (five edged sword) can be found in the tree bearing the “Eye of the needle.” “What is that?” asked Kunta.

Emperor Oko explained that it is the narrow pass beyond the fiery flame. To cross this pass, the Shosuma (Soul) must become very tiny. Unfortunately, the priest had a gigantic Shosuma. The priest suddenly became sad. He said, “How do I make my Shosuma tiny? I will do anything.” Kaazi Oko paused once again and studied the priest.

“The eye of the needle is the tattoo of an eye. It is supposed to be on the first tree you meet when approaching the guanvibushi (the plant of eternal health). Kiwakaazi led the way. He stopped and Kunta asked, “What is it? Why have you stopped?” Kiwakaazi pointed and shouted, “There… there it is!” It was a tree directly in front of a plant with a slender green stem. The plant bears three large leaves; a green leaf; an orange leaf and a pink leaf. Sitting on top of the leaves was a flower with white petals. Behind this plant, which was obviously the guanvibushi, were two other trees.

Kaazi Oko told the priest that for his Shosuma (Soul) to become tiny, he must be free of earthly attachments. To be free, he must stop performing miracles; give away all his wealth to charity, and stop teaching all together. The priest held his chin and thought for a long time and then he asked, “Is there no other way?” Kaazi Oko shook his head and said, “There is none.” The man got up and left. He could not do what the Kaazi had asked. On his way out he thought, “One day I will let you pay for not helping me. I will show you that I am more powerful than you are.” And that day came when the four men led by Sangosi visited him.

Sangosi and company needed some assistance; they needed someone who could provide a solution to the spiritual problem the Central Empire posed. The priest was very happy to have been consulted. While nodding his head, he said, “We will use the agni zubaba (the hell creature summoning ritual).”