Hunting the hunter

CHAPTER FOUR:

(Hunting the hunter)

Days and weeks went by,and it was the sixth month.The clouds seemed to be swelling up,heavily pregnant with water.Otuma and Kalwan had shared a lot of their past stories and experiences,each day giving them a chance to remember a new occurrence once in their lives.Their almost solomonic wisdom held chunks of memories dotted along decades,which they used to give counsel,and guide their kith and kin.They laughed heartily,almost at every engagement,a sign that they had had a long and healthy relationship.One morning,Otuma was sitting with Napolos in her hut.They were planning how to get food from Narok town to the village,as the maize they had gotten a month ago was almost running out.With the visitors in their homestead,the food would only last half as long.Otuma advised Napolos that she would ask his youngest wife Noolkisaruni for some money from a goat sale,and proceed to ensure she got some maize flour to push the now huge family until rains came again.Kalwan was seated outside the hut,looking at the plains that were now turning golden brown,though the grass was still tall enough for the cows to eat.His three legged stool shone back at the rays of the sun,as it suffocated under his huge frame.So many things ran through his mind as he shone his eyes directly on the plains.

Otuma bent through the huts door,and cleared his throat.On looking up,he saw Kalwans bald head move,and their eyes met.They both smiled wryly before Otuma asked Kalwan what he was thinking about.He shrug,and informed Otuma that his head was just moving from one idea to the next.Otuma informed him that he was planning for food to keep the family afloat next few weeks.Though this was music to Kalwans ears,he felt a little sorry for being a “burden”.Otuma told him it was all okey,and that it was a blessing to him and the entire homestead.As they kept talking in a humble tone and blessing the days they had shared,Napolos shot out of the hut like an arrow.She had her traditional bag made of skin tightly wrapped around her neck.She knew the sun would keep getting hot,and she had not less than fifty kilometers to walk before she would find public transport.Otuma looked at her and he asked her “Have you set out for the trip?”,”Yes my husband,let me go and do as instructed”.She answered as she sped off out of  the homestead.”I bless your journey and all that you are going to do,my better half”.Otuma uttered as he sprinkled drops of spito on his chest,a traditional way to bless loved ones.Napolos’ physique towered over the grass fields,and the further she went,the smaller her figure became for the old men,until they could no longer see her.The men were blessing each event,when Noorkituli showed up from the other side of the homestead,with a gourd full of fermented milk.She handed it over to Otuma,who shook it vigorously,before opening up the lid,which produced a loud pop sound.The two men poured the milk into cups,and drank softly as they looked at the field.

Kalwan licked his lips,and put the cup down on the ground.He looked towards Otuma who had looked up,swallowing the milk in gushes down his throat.Otuma sighed deeply as he also put his cup down,and wiped his mouth using his fingers,before he called out to his friend. “Pakiteng,lets go and visit Nkiti,our old time brother.” Kalwan’s eyes shone with anxiety. He remembered when Nkiti was a young worrior.He was as brave as a lion.One day,as it was done traditionally,boys were to test their brevity by killing a lion.Whoever would be first to spear the lion would take the mane.The  last one to spear it would take the tail.Ten boys from Erusiai and enkidikirroto villages set out at dawn,and walked towards “Enatarie olkiteng”,an area well known for lions.Lenkoko,who was a big boy,led the battery of boys through oloonkabobok over to Ntulele and then they traversed the small Melili hills to Enatarie Olkiteng.Oloompala who was The eldest of Otuma’s sons,was named by his grandmother like that since he loved reading,and would collect and hold written papers against his face,anytime he saw them,even though he couldn’t read.He kept shaking in an almost vibrating shiver,as the urge for the escapade swept over his body.His eyes turned red with anger,and he kept mum for most of the journey.They had walked for more than five hours,and they needed to rest,before they would begin their search for a lion.Lenkoko saw a huge fig tree that stood alone in the middle of a small plain.He headed towards it,with the other boys following keenly in a straight line.When he got to its shade,he pitched his spear on the ground,and sat besides it,wiping sweat from his forehead.Oloompala,Ntikise,Koyei and the other boys sat each next to the other,with spears keenly pitched in the same spot.It was time to plan the next move,after taking enough rest.In turns,the boys sighed and looked at different directions,as the wind kept blowing through the trees producing a whistling sound. Lenkoko stood up and cleared his throat authoritatively,as he pulled his short crossed shukas which were tightly held at the middle by a leather- made traditional belt,which held his sword and sheath tightly close to his right hip. He started talking as he pointed his long stick to the group.“We shall all start by praying to our ancestors to guide and protect us.The fight is tough,and people have at times lost parts or all of their bodies to the lions.We must not surrender,and we shall all keep our eyes on each other.Stay away from the spears lest you fall prey,and ensure you target the common enemy before releasing your spear.” There was total silence,as all the boys looked sharply at the ground,not moving their heads.Lenkoko’s eyes were glued on the group,as he slowly walked and sat at his position.

Ntikise who had for long looked at his spear,got up and put his right leg across the left one,a sign of relaxation.He held a short club on his right hand,and started talking. “I want to second what our brother has said,lets all be swift but careful in this adventure.Whether you get the head or tail,you remain one of us,so lets protect each other.He chanted incantations and requested that they all move towards the forest,to begin the day.The boys got up in turns and moved towards the eastern side of the shrubby forest,a safe distance away from each other.Lenkoko looked afar into the forest looking for any signs of movement.The long walk led them to a huge gulley,and over to a small plain with large eucalyptus trees.Their spears reflected in turns as the sun hit them in between shadows of trees.After a little while,Lenkoko ordered all of them to stop.They came to an immediate halt,and they all held their breaths as they listened keenly.Ntikise heard a long cracking sound,like a huge dry skin being pulled along fresh twigs.He pointed west,and all the other boys looked there,while still holding their breaths.They could almost hear each others heartbeats,in the silence.

As sure as a cock,Lenkoko led the group to the western direction,avoiding passing in the shrubs,not to make any noise.There was a stranger in the offing,only that they couldn’t tell who or what it was.Step by step,they moved deeper into the forest.They would stop and listen deeply,to identify the movement.In turns,they would lick their middle fingers and point them upwards to locate the wind direction.They were supposed to ensure the wind would not take their smell to the stranger and hence they would walk on the direction where wind was headed.Slowly,Lenkoko approached the cracking sound ahead of them,which would also stop in turns,as if it was becoming suspicious. The shrubs kept becoming shorter and shorter,and the boys were almost getting out into a huge almost dark forest,which was cold and wet on the ground.It had a huge canopy that rendered clouds invisible.Lenkoko and Ntikise held onto their spears above their right shoulders,and they came to an indefinite halt.Lenkoko had spotted a huge paw track on the mud.The small group had opened up,now each boy stood strategically at the edge of the shrubby edge of the forest.

Less than three yards from where Lenkoko and Ntikise stood,short grass moved vigorously in a wavy line,before there was calm.Lenkoko got down bending his left knee.He peeped through the grass,and saw a brownish heap of a  stranger moving through the grass.Oloompala produced a wailing sound,as he jumped high over the shrubs and leapt onto the wet ground under the forest.The lion had already sensed their movements and had started preparing to fight.With his mane fully raised,the lion roared in a hoarse voice that shook the trees in the forest,pouring drops of water off the trees.Lialo,who had all the time kept calm could not hold his breath anymore, he jumped over Lenkoko,and landed less than a yard before the lions hot breath!Lenkoko sprung up and sent his spear dangling like a shooting star, onto the lions right shoulder.Lialo seconded him and sent his spear on the lion’s mane.Oloompala was watching keenly from a short distance, he got hold of his sword and moved forth as the lion opened his mouth wide, looked at the sky, and produced a huge roar, significant of giving up in a battle. All the boys knelt down and let the roar fly over their heads like a kite. With spears hooked on its body like two aerials, the lion could hardly move. It collected its huge body and tried to reach out to Lenkoko.On the left side, a huge ditch that had for long been used by warriors to slaughter and cook stolen cows, looked up at them.Oloompala moved to the brink of the ditch, and tried to hit the lion with his sword, while holding on to a small stump at the edge of the ditch. The lion slowly turned and their eyes met! Oloompala sensed danger! He looked down and saw a small sizzling light way about a hundred feet below. He could not risk jumping in there. The lion was looking for an escape route. He pulled his body together, and staggered onto the stump oloompala was holding. This pulled oloompala down the ditch and the lion came springing past his back! On realizing that oloompala was falling below him, the lion hit him on the left elbow, almost opening his chest from the back! Oloompala grinned at the top of his voice, putting Leipa and the other boys at risk of following him. They stood on the edge of the ditch looking down, astounded of what to do next.

The bush below the ditch held Oloompala abreast while the lion fell to the ground, in a thud! He lay on the bushes bleeding, as the lion turned from side to side in pain. The boys ran round and found a low part of the ditch, and they got in to rescue oloompala. Leina and Leipa used their sheets which they wear to prevent cold, to carry oloompala. He had become weak and had bled substantially. They carried him through thickets and off to a bare ground looking over Ntulele shopping centre. They laid him down, picked some succulent leaves traditionally used as a pain killer. Leipa crushed the leaves, and poured the green fluid onto and around the wound. Oloompala grinned in pain, but they comforted him. It was the beginning of a long journey back home in search of further help for the patient and to announce the victory.Lenkoko and Lialo carried the patient in the sheet while Ntikise went back to cut off the lions mane, and braces made off its skin, as a mark that they had killed a lion. It was a sign of brevity and readiness of the boy to graduate into manhood. It took minutes before they all rejoined the trip home. Through valleys, flat plains and long stretches of bare land, they took half the day and got home at almost dusk. In their cooperative attitude,they had carried their kin in turns, and he kept on turning and writhing in pain. The sheet had gotten wet with blood. Ntikise ran fast into the homestead, got a huge pot and placed it at the home entry. The boys each came and looked inside the pot, before proceeding to cross it into the homestead. It was believed that by doing this, the ancestors would protect them from harm and spirits from the dead lion. It was a mixed feeling of happiness and sadness as the boys were received home by their mothers. The old men had gone for an evening walk and were yet to arrive. Napolos put a jar of warm water beside Oloompala as he lay in Nasieku’s hut, on the big visitor’s bed. She took a soft cloth and washed it round. It was so bad that Oloompala would try to cough and it would be heard from his back. Ntikise tied a piece of the lion’s skin shaped like a bracelet onto Oloompala’s arm, a sign that he was the hero in that escapade. Over a long time,undergoing treatment using different herbs,he regained strength and got healed. It was time to get back to normal life. His left side kept weak, and he could not carry heavy things. The boys resumed their village life of hearding,and going for small hunts of rabbits,gazelles,and at times warthogs as food for dogs. Many songs were sung in praise of the boys, in their measure of contribution. Oloompala was the village hero, and would be feared by young boys, and the village at large. This was a great act of brevity.

CHAPTER FIVE:

(BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA)

One morning, it was the turn for Oloompala and Lenkoko to go herding. Otuma had returned to his homestead as rains had come back. They agreed with Kalwan that the boys could visit each homestead and share every little moment they could, like their fathers did.The boys drove the cows past the green plains in pulung’a and off into the Loita plains, where they grazed freely amongst Zebras, and wildebeests. Their dogs Kima and simba kept chasing the zebras around the fields, as if playing with them. The boys watched from a distance, while telling each other that those were small animals! They would not waste time running after herbivores. At intervals, they would stand and watch how far the cows were spread out, and they would go back and sit under the shade. Their spears stood beside them, and their clubs were strewn haphazardly on the ground. They both had removed their shoes, and put them under their feet. A cool breeze swept through the plains, occasionally carrying the smell of fresh cow dung. The boys had a feeling of satisfaction as they watched the cows stomachs grow bigger and bigger as they grazed. A huge vulture perched on a tree that stood in the middle of the plain, looking down at the cows. It moved its head left and right, looking for something to eat. Lenkoko looked up and saw it, then he wore his shoes, picked his club and spear, and he walked towards it. The eagle flipped its huge wings, and soared into the sky, its shadow ballooning above the cows as it flew over them. Oloompala slowly bundled himself up, stretching for long before following behind Lenkoko.In the offing,they would see a narrow brown string cutting through the green grass.It was the  rough road that leads to Maasai Mara.It was a few meters away from the long plain. They would see dust from vehicles  passing through the road but had little or no interest in whatever business away from their cows.Some vehicles were carrying guests who went to visit the famous national reserve,and others just transported local folk.Lenkoko waved his right hand at a car from a distance, as he walked past the cows. He was excited,and in a cheerful mood so he opted  to greet the occupants.In the past,the boys had heard of tales where their friends greeted white guests who often would give them sweets and other goodies as they passed by.

Oloompala was following behind, the wind blowing his short traditional clothes to his rear. He smiled as he watched Lenkoko waving. All of a sudden, there was a huge white cloud of dust behind the white car that engulfed the car as it came to an immediate halt. The dust slowly drifted away,as the motor was cut.Lenkoko slowed down and looked behind. He saw Oloompala walking faster towards him, and regained confidence. “What could they want?” Lenkoko asked as he looked at Oloompala, this time standing with his legs crossed. Oloompala smiled wryly, and told him “You waved them so possibly they think you wanted something. Do you know how to talk to them?” Lenkoko nodded in opposition, and walked on towards the car. They both walked shoulder to shoulder until they were only three yards away from the car. A well built bearded white man was seating in the front of the car, which was being driven by a woman who looked a little older than the man, and also she looked tired, probably from the drive over the rough road. The man looked directly into Lenkoko’s eyes and called out in fluent Maasai language, “Oyie entasupa?” How are you young men? The boys were flabbergasted, and stood carefully beside each other, lost for words. They almost answered in unison, “Supa oleng papaai”(Very well sir).

The lady smiled in between affirmative nods, as the boys chuckled in amazement. The old man opened his door, and stepped out.He was plump,a white man in his early Sixties.His grey eyes darted around giving him an inquisitive yet furtive air. He explained to the boys that he was a long time missionary in Maasailand, and that he wanted to ensure every young Maasai man got educated, and they knew God. The boys were marveled at this opportunity, as all along, their lives were tagged on the animals, and they never thought of anything beyond the village life. He went on to tell the boys that all they needed to do was to ensure they leave their village and come to a school in Sikinani, and they would not pay anything. He informed them that they would be given good clothes and a better stay every day, which included three meals and clean water. The boys could hardly imagine what this old man was saying. He could not know how to trace them again as the boys explained that they used to move from village to village in intervals. “Cows would always follow rainfall,and we don’t know where next we will move to”the boys explained.They pointed to him that their fathers had agreed that they be raised as a family, and that is why they moved interchangeably with their kin on a weekly or monthly basis. Lenkoko appreciated the white man’s message, and told him they would seek permission from their parents and go on to visit the school.

It was getting late, and evening cold had started biting the boy’s legs. They shook hands with the white man, and he got back into his car. As the engine raved, the lady waved at the boys as she smiled, pity written all over her face. An orange sun had set foot over a cloud in the west. The boys’ shadows were now following them as they drove the cows towards the edge of the plain, to start their trip back to the village. The cows’ bellies had grown so huge, and they occasionally shook their heads up and down as they happily chewed cud, walking closer to each other and forming a huge line towards one direction.Slowly, they increased pace and their hooves dug out soft dust that rendered the air. The boys closed their eyes half way, as they coughed in the dust. They drove the herd slowly over a few shrubs, down a small stream where they waited for the cows to have a fill of the water, before continuing to the homestead. The village was already busy with goats and sheep being attended to. The cows arrived and mowed back as their calves called out at the top of their voices from different huts. It was evident there was a lot of work going on, as the women criss- crossed the village with milking gourds, and young boys and girls held the goat kids on their hands as they carried them into different huts. The boys walked straight into Nasieku’s hut, and sat before the fire. Lenkoko lifted his legs onto the fire stone, and looked into the fire. Three firewood sticks were burning slowly, on a mild flame. A soft stream of smoke hit the roof of the hut, turning the black soot shiny. Goat kids were lying on the floor behind the boys, chewing cud slowly as they enjoyed the heat from the fire. Their eyes reflected the orange flame as it lit up occasionally in between gushes of smoke. Lenkoko looked up and asked Oloompala what he thought about the white man, and his idea. Oloompala told him they would need to ask for permission as that would be the best thing. Oloompala waited for dark, not telling anyone of his plan. In his heart, he had made up his mind and was going for the white man’s idea, hook cranny and sinker.Nasieku walked into the hut, pulled the firewood to make it produce a clear flame, and put a pot on top of it. She made tea in a hurry for the boys, and started preparing dinner. Otuma was in Napolos’ house, where he was taking tea. He would occasionally sing a traditional song amid talks about the day. Oloompala finished his tea, and walked out of the hut in a huff. He went straight into Napolos’ hut and greeted in a low tone. He informed the old man that he wanted to run home for a few days and that he would be back. The old man gave him traditional blessings, and affirmed the trip. The boy then walked out, and headed towards Erusiai village. He moved in large steps, as darkness was setting in fast. He kept reminiscing the white man’s words in his mind. That encounter played in his mind like it was a repeat. He walked in huge steps, looking far into the distance, for wild animals or any other person. His eyes kept struggling as darkness fell onto the universe. A little dik dik, then a wild hare, crossed his path as he walked down to a small valley, before climbing a small hill onto a long plain. A small flame could be seen in the distance, as Oloompala convinced himself that he was getting close to his village. He looked sharply trying to detect any people, but it was very dark. He walked faster, and the flame got closer and bigger.

Oloompala got home, early evening. All activities had come to a standstill and people were talking in low tones, each in the different huts. As he jumped over the village fence, Oloompala wondered what the fire was meant for. Otuma had pruned trees around the homestead and was burning the twigs and rubbish he had collected around the village. Oloompala headed straight to Otuma’s hut which is in the middle of the cattle pen. After greeting the old man, he sat next to him on his bed. On a low note, he explained that he had come to seek consent to go for a school which he had been told about. The old man listened keenly as he sat on the bed before raising his eyes.He asked the boy what Kalwan had suggested, Oloompala told him that he hadn’t discussed this with anyone else. A long silence ensued, and then the old man cleared his throat. He then sent out word that the boy calls his mother. Oloompala ran and called his mother. The three sat and discussed for a while, before they all agreed that Oloompala would go for the school. His face shone with happiness, as he left the hut, with his mother following closely behind.He told other boys of his happiness, and that he would leave the following day.It was pomp and laughter as the village came to terms with Oloompala’s new luck. As he played with other boys, they all jumped up and down and congratulated him for finding favor with the white man. Some people had mixed reactions, thinking it would be risky to go for school as he would be staying with strangers. It was thought, that the white people would steal children after finishing school. Oloompala had decided that he would go to school, whether it meant getting lost or whichever fate it would bring. In his heart and mind, he had decided to take up the cup whether sweet or bitter. The boys jumped and sung in happiness as they watched the stars in the sky. 

The moon was very bright, it was almost like daytime, and you could clearly see the other person and the surroundings. They played deep into the night, before each of them got into different huts to sleep. The night was very long for Oloompala who had wanted to get up and go, while the rest slept in bits, their hearts filled with anxiety to see him off. Birds started chirping, and cocks started crowing, as light started streaming in, through small openings in the thatched roof amid a huge wind that blew through the village. Oloompala looked straight through the roof, and jumped off his little bed.The skin he was lying on producing a cracking sound. The other boys were turning in their beds, fighting back pangs of sleep. Cows were standing up after lying down through the night, each standing up in turns, as they slowly chewed cud, looking over their shed. A short silence was broken by a huge exchange of mowing as calves answered to the voices of the cows. Women started walking up and down as they started their day’s activities, by milking the animals. Otuma got up,picked his ceremonial walking stick,and walked out of the hut.He pointed to the four corners of the earth as he said a prayer to begin the day.Traditionally,men would pray on behalf of the women,children amd their livestock,first thing before talking to anyone else or greeting anyone.After finishing,he walked slowly and sat besides his hut.His head ran through the past day’s activities,and planned the days ahead. As he awaited the boys to get up, Otuma thought it was wise to separate the cows so that the weaker cows can be taken to a better place. The land was still green,but there were those cows that were both fat and stronger than others.

The morning cold was slowly subsiding as the sun kept on covering the earth. Otuma put his long walking stick below the three legged stool he sat on. Each of his three wives sent out a greeting as they passed by, to milk cows.Soon, the boys got off their beds, and ran out of the huts.Leina, Oloompala and his young sister Semeita stood outside their hut, talking in low tones. Oloompala was very excited, as he told them how the white man promised them good things. The siblings were happy for him; at the same time not sure what would befall their brother. It was a situation of hoping against hope. All the boys walked up in a queue, greeting the old man by bending down their heads, which the old man placed his hand on gently.After greeting all the boys,Otuma asked Oloompala if he was ready to leave.Oloompala affirmed,with a huge smile on his face.Otuma then asked all the boys to sit down.They sat in a circle around the old man,with Kiranto their cousin joining in from Napolos’ hut.Otuma chanted some incantations,blessing the boys before starting his speech. ‘I want all of you to wish Oloompala well,as he goes to take up a foreign challenge.The god of our ancestors shall guide and protect you my son,we shall all wait to hear of your return and safety.’ ‘No harm shall befall you,and you shall find favour with all that you meet.”,Otuma looked deeply into Oloompala’s eyes,and told him wisdom was evident in his eyes.He requested that Oloompala opens both his palms.He slowly spat on the palms as he uttered blessings.Otuma blessed the walkways,the roads,and any person Oloompala would meet.The boys looked on keenly,and their hearts got full of emotion.Leina and Kiranto started shaking in emotion.

After the blessing,Otuma got up and walked back into his heart.He got his skin made bag and pulled out a few notes,which he handed over to Oloompala.He asked him to keep the money,just in case he was required to purchase anything in his new life.Oloompala walked up to his mothers hut,picked up two little pieces of cloth,which he used as his best outfit,picked his little club and stick,and he tied a small torch onto his belt.His shoes were made of worn out tyres,and he placed a chain he had been given by his grandmother on his neck.Oloompala called out to Napolos and told her that he was ready to leave.tears streamed down Napolos’ cheeks like rivulets,as she struggled to wish Oloompala all the best in his trip.She gave him fermented  milk to carry on a gourd,so he would drink on the way.A huge cup of fresh milk was given to Oloompala as his breakfast.He moved from hut to hut,drinking milk as he said good bye to all the family members.He then moved into the cattle pen,looked at the cows slowly,before walking out the homestead into the long plains towards Maasai Mara.Oloompala walked in huge steps,with a lot of hope,imaginations,and thoughts running through his head.Every thought about the white man’s words gave him a surge of confidence in good things to come.He walked further and deeper into the plains,as the sun grew hotter and hotter.Occasionally,Oloompala looked at the sky,as if to ask God for guidance.