A STRANGE CASE OF MUSENGABERE: I
Tanaka loved Dananai but their parents were constantly at loggerheads. One distasted the other, spat at the mention of the other’s name. They incorporated each other’s surnames into their cursing vocabulary.
So, as any love story, a plan was devised, a use of tradition to their advantage, and so the story goes:
“Hey Dananai,” Tanaka spoke with a voice deeper than the echo of a cave.
The girl flicked her eyebrows and responded, “Hello.” Dananai was dressed in a grey cloth of one piece from neck to knee. It was embroidered with gold, a thread running in patterns across it, and a few precious stones at the hem.
“We didn’t come here to see you two woo each other. It seems you’re taking a different route altogether and I for starters left cattle in the field just to meet you.” Gamu was short,well-built, and had a right arm marked with burn scars. He held in one hand a whip made of hippo hide and in the other, a piece of straw, picking at his teeth.
“Don’t mind him. He’s just jealous because Shamiso won’t even look at him,” Gamu’s brother said as he tapped Gamu’s shoulder, “We have all been there. I’m sure Mother will find you a good woman when the time comes.”
In response, Gamu shook off his brother’s hand.
Dananai looked on, then looked aside, up to the trees then at Tanaka.
“So, the plan for tomorrow. Chengetai, Gamu. Pay attention.” Tanaka said it to make it less awkward. Dananai strode over and the four made a circle. The three knelt as Tanaka stood on that moist ground. The forest was full of life in the afternoon; squirrels quarreled, climbing up and down the streets of tree trunks. Birds chirped and proposed to each other with songs of love. It was summer and the air had an ambrosial taste.
“So, Dananai, you will go to the stream as you always do. Usual route, nothing funny. Make sure when you leave your homestead you leave with the bucket. I’ve known you to do stupider things when you’re ecstatic my bird.”
Dananai giggled at this remark. Her dimples formed and the long features of her face beamed. She was taller than Tanaka by three thumbs and slender in every aspect. Some called her a woman of definite shape, a remark she distasted. But it was somehow accurate, as her long legs were unnoticeable when she stood or sat. Only when you really looked did you notice. Each part complimented the other.
Gamu cleared his throat and the silence came again.
Do giggles make you nervous, short man? Dananai thought to herself.
“You should leave when the sun is highest. Gamu and I will be well hidden in the forest. Bring a piece of cloth with you, one your mother knows; we shall leave it there. If there are others with you then no need. I hope you show some struggle, in case anyone spots you… Have you been working on your scream? “’
What followed was worse than having a thorn pierce one’s eardrum. Chengetai jerked and hit his head on the trunk of the muonde tree behind him. Gamu laughed, with one finger in his ear, moving it up and down repeatedly at an unusual speed none of the three could appreciate. Gamu was a Runner after all. Chengetai was a Mover and as for the couple, fate hadn’t blessed them with the gifts. There was a saying in the land, “Be of good cheer. The only fair thing in Nyika-Ibwe is the gifts for it chooses who it pleases.”
“Any questions?” Gamu asked.
Tanaka stared.
“I was being ironic obviously.” Gamu made a face.
“Good,” Tanaka lashed out with a smirk.
“Chengetai here, the biggest in the land, will be watching over us, making sure we’re okay. You know, in case we’re spotted or something like that.”
“I heard rumours that you were a Mover but you shy away from the subject whenever I ask,” Dananai somehow complimented Chengetai.
“Then it’s good you haven’t asked,” Chengetai responded.
“Tomorrow you shall experience Chengetai, don’t worry. He doesn’t like to show off but he did quite a …”
“Tanaka!” Gamu spoke out with a shriek.
“Oh, yes.” Tanaka held out his hand, reaching for Dananai’s as a distraction to what he would have said. She shoved his hand lightly.
He rubbed it off and continued with his speech, mentioning bits and pieces of the plan, trying not to be so specific but vital. Dananai then stared at him from the corner of her eye with open curiosity on her face and Gamu spoke, “We can’’t share everything. You see, you should have the general idea of it. You know, in case it doesn’t work or we have interruptions which could have you spilling out our plan. No offence.”
They think me a feeble creature. Their little mouse to take care of. Dananai blushed.
She didn’t understand her physical reaction compared to her thoughts. Totally unreflective of how I feel.
She proceeded to pick a pebble and threw it at Chengetai. Before it struck his face, the stone ceased to move and hung in the air like a speck of dust. Chengetai glanced at it, then it fell to the ground.
Dananai looked on, shocked but yet unknowing in how to express what she had just seen.
So it’s true. Hmm, Tana has interesting friends. I always thought he was the most interesting.
Chengetai just grinned and continued what he’d been doing before.
“Then we catch you,” Tanaka rumbled, as if there had been no stop.
“We don’t know if you will have your friends. If you do, they will report you and we won’t have much time to spare. If alone, we leave that piece of cloth and pray to Musikavanhu no one spots you. Then the forest… Yes, you will be comfortable when we carry you… Of course not, you shall hate it, perhaps loathe me for a few days but it is just an act. Though Gamu tells me most vomit.”
“Tanaka! Not helping,” Gamu called out.
Dananai grimaced.
“Seriously, Gamu will carry you. He is the Runner, not me. Just be ready.. mentally.”
“Do you trust them to execute well? You know my father,” Dananai spoke out.
I hope she holds her tongue more when she is married. Or why can’t she just ask us? We are in front of her, Chengetai thought.
He was more traditional, willing women remember their place. Gamu and Tanaka were a bit more liberal. Chengetai loathed that, but they were still friends.
“If you are caught, he will decapitate all of you after court proceedings. Maybe Chengetai might be safe, wherever he will be hiding.”
An insult, I have just had it with this girl, Chengetai thought to himself once more.
“You see lady. If it’s too much, you may as well carry yourself and fly yourself also, because it’s my bird too that will take you into the air. I will not be hiding, please do not say such. Leaves a bad taste on my tongue.” Chengetai spat to the side of him.
Because she was Tanaka’s girl he was being more polite than usual to what he regarded as being taken for granted. “I will be playing my part, as much as these two.” He didn’t like praise and yet he hated being undermined because he wasn’t just that at all, not even within a hair length of incompetent.
Tanaka stepped in, “Yes, she misunderstood you Chengetai. Don’t fret.” He patted Chengetai’s hand and the tension on Chengetai’s face disappeared.
“She’s just messing big lad,” Gamu added. Chengetai managed a smile again, exposing his unnaturally white teeth though crooked as the path to the underworld.
“At least I now know Chengetai is aggressive. I don’t apologize for anything. I was checking to see how serious you were. I have heard rumours. Had to fact-find myself a bit. This is my livelihood too so I get a say besides what society says about women and their tongue.” Dananai crossed her arms. She looked straight at tall, big Chengetai.
Chengetai just grunted and looked down.
“You better go on now before they miss you at home,” Tanaka told his beloved. She rose, picked up her water-filled bucket, and walked off.
“So boys, thank you again. I can’t express my gratitude enough. She has to go in the air as soon as possible so speed is as important as efficiency just like in our drills. One of her brothers is a Mover, so beware in case it comes to that.” He shot a glance at Gamu.
“I’m relying on your experience big Chengetai. That job you pulled with the King’s daughter was majestic. I still wonder how…”
“Shut up. The forests have ears and I told you that in complete confidence.” Chengetai quickly replied.
“And you didn’t tell your own brother.” Gamu shifted his leg and rounded Chengetai in a single heartbeat. Chengetai just noted a blur. Next, he felt his ankle being pulled. Even his Move couldn’t save him, speed never gave you appropriate time to react. He dropped to the ground with the thud of a log.
“Now we’re even, brother mine.” Gamu pointed a finger at him.
Tanaka managed a laugh but a glance from Chengetai and he ceased.
All three continued to pick a spot under the nearest mutsubvu tree, by the mouth of the den of a mhungu; a large, black formidable snake.
Tanaka stepped first, leaving a footprint. Chengetai was next. He imposed on Tanaka’s print. Gamu went last. The deal was struck. In Nyika-Ibwe, a mhungu striking you as you made a pact meant it had been done in bad faith. Some said the mhungu was just out hunting so even if done in bad faith, it wouldn’t be around to bite anyone. But still, many were bit in the process.
They dispersed and each went to their business. Chengetai returned to his cave stash of the wild dog cubs he’d found three days back. Tanaka went to help his father in the field, a smile drawn on his face ear to ear. Gamu followed the bellowing of bulls and the bells ringing, back to his cattle.
