34
It takes the span of two moon cycles before Mansa Qu is ready for his journey to the sea. During this time, I am busy copying the texts that will serve as gifts. I seldom see my brother as he is busy with the game of pushing Akuchi toward the position of master deputy to serve the kingdom while its own master is away.
I seek Oumar out one morning at the single men’s compound where he lives. Uma and I have advanced our courtship, and I want my brother’s advice before I prepare the gifts to take to her father in order to request permission to marry.
When I enter the men’s compound, I hear the murmur of a voice and believe Oumar is speaking to another man. But when I enter, I find it is only my brother. His back is to me and he is speaking in the rhythm of poetry verse. At my greeting,
