HIS HUNT

Life in Shoiuk has always been simple, in the morning Baba and Anu go to the farm, me and mama start preparing food and deliver it to the farm in the afternoon. Mama sundries the fish as I fetch water from the river. At the end of the day when Baaba and Anu return we eat supper and mama tells me stories of our ancestors. Today the unexpected happened das I was going to the river, I took a shortcut through the forest to save time, and there I witnessed a man skinning a live monkey. The scene was too bloody, although baaba hunts animals for meat, he always brings them when they are already cleaned so we never got to see this bloody scene. I decided to turn back but the man gestured for me to go to him. His an elder so even if the bloody scene is scary for me, I can’t be disrespectful so I obeyed. “Good afternoon sir “I placed my hands together in greeting. The man nodded to show that he had acknowledged it. “What’s your father’s name” The man asked me this looking pleased with himself which left me confused. “My Baaba is by the name of Elder Tughrut Reun Ukui.”I replied to him in a hurry to end the conversation early. “His an elder, that’s good. Now young lady, go and inform your father that Mus (chief) Furut Geray Surta has taken a liking to you and are now bethroned to him.” What? He is a Mus, the one that is feared all. No no…………………….. Am only Ten years old and his my father’s age which makes him Forty years older. I can’t let my parents know about this. The stories of the girls who have died in this man’s arms are known by everybody but no matter how many girls die in his hands, the parents are still willing to offer their children because of his status as a Mus. “Thank you for choosing this child oh the one of noble status.” Even though I didn’t want this marriage, defiance would only cause my family to suffer so I maintained my respectful manner. He gesture for me to take my live. I placed my hands together and bid him farewell then continued on my way to the river. Before reaching at home I had made up my mind not inform anyone of this marriage, I even prepared an excuse for my delay at the river. “My friends I always knew that my daughter would bring for me good fortune, Edreta (priest) also prophesized it on her birth, I am so happy my friends. Dance, let’s all dance.” I could hear my mother and her friend’s voices from miles away. “Mama Anu congratulations, let me dance huyy (a type of traditional dance) for you, wuwuwu…………………………” Why is there a commotion at home? Did they maybe get the news that the Mus asked me for marriage. No way, I was there alone with the Mus they couldn’t have found out. I took the back and entered into the house without anyone noticing, to my surprise, I met Anu in the leaving room. “Why are you sneaking around?” Anu seemed annoyed. His my older brother and he is always easy going, I rarely see him angry. “I didn’t want to disturb mama and her guests so I took the back.” Though I don’t know why Anu is angry, it best to not add to his anger. “Have you heard the news about your marriage?” Anu’s words made me realize that it was my wishful thinking to believe that I could hid the truth about the marriage with the Mus. I can’t believe they are celebrating my marriage to a man who is rumored to kill for any mistake. “Tua (chief’s guard) informed Baaba and me when we were in the farm, we returned as soon as we got the news. I am sorry that you have to sacrifice your happiness because of the yeo (laws ‘can’t reject a Mus Marriage proposal’).” I knew Anu didn’t agree with this marriage but he was powerless and could only try to comfort me but that was enough for me to remain strong knowing I have people who care about me more than status. “Your ceremony will be held in two weeks’ time after the thanks giving for Guo (god).” After informing me that Anu left for his room. In the silence of the living room his words echoed in my ears like a death sentence. As I was heading to my room mama appeared at the door, she smiled happily at my arrived and pulled me to the front yard were the celebration was taking place. I saw Baaba’s proud expression as he boosted to his friends about my marriage, their jealousy and envious expressions brought him satisfaction. This may seem as cruelty to the daughter who is being sent to marry that bloodlust man but the prestige and the noble status her family gets after her marriage makes the parents to turn a blind eye to the man’s cruel behavior. I don’t know how I carried on for those two weeks before my marriage, I was like a doll doing everything I was told in preparation for the ceremony. Guo’s thanksgiving ceremony was two days before the marriage, everybody had to be present as a form of devotion and respect for Guo. It’s held in the middle of the scared forest near Guo’s shrine. Since I was still unmarried I sat in the area for the children. Endreta (priest) stood on the alter and started enchanting the thanks giving words for Guo. The married women started recite the words along with Endreta (priest) as their husbands stormed their feet loudly. The children only had to clap their hands following the beat of the sound produced by the storming feet. The Mus appeared and started to sing Guo’s song for protection. Endreta ended the chanting and joined the Mus in singing, the married women started to dance skillfully to the song. We had done this ceremony for ages and everyone knew their role. My mood since the announcing of my marriage has been bad though I had decided to accept it and find a way to leave with it. The ceremony was not really enjoyed able for, I isolated myself at the back as I clapped long to the rhythm, that’s when I noticed shadows in the forest. It’s impossible for anybody to Miss Guo’s thanks giving ceremony unless it intruders. This thought scared me, I turned to look for my parents but they were too adsorbed in the ceremony activities. “Everyone stop we have intruders!” I shouted those words as loud as I could but my pleas were soon drowned in the music.