The World We Want

Chapter 2: Magic at Entombment

Everyone’s attention turned towards the front of the house, the body of the deceased situated there peacefully. The elder billowed the horn even more as if to awaken the dead, he blew the horn with deep emotions, people could feel the pain of death. Local leaders, elders, advisors, Mr. Kibo, and those with wisdom came and sat on chairs placed in front of the house. Everyone seemed to come closer in order to have a glimpse of what was going to happen. 

Brian, “I really love this family they are very influential”

“Are you kidding me right now, what is there to be liked anyway?” Tole replied harshly.

With her infectious smile, Sofi told them, “Guys chill out, the ceremony has begun let us listen and please at least respect the dead”

They all kept silent and gazed towards the center of the ceremony. After the multitudes were silent, the topmost elder known as Pepo stood up. At this moment even the birds and squirrels kept quiet. Pepo was holding a small bucket filled with blood and a sprinkler made from a cows’ tail. He moved around Mshapa sprinkling blood. After finishing he stood still and said;

“Ohh Lord, Lord of our forefathers, spirits of our forefathers, you brought us to this wonderful land, see what has been done to our beloved son, they killed him to satisfy their egos.”

With a trembling mouth elder Pepo continued, “Our enemies have pierced our hearts, we are hurting oh Lord. We ask for your intervention.”

Pepo stopped still as if he had heard someone and was listening to them, then he turned around to his fellow elders and confirmed to them, “He is not dead but just having some rest and today we shall prove to our enemies that we are stronger than them.”

He walks back to sit. The people look at each other in shock and wonder how is this possible. Mshapa died three days ago and people have been weeping all through, does what he said rhetoric? Mr. Kibo stood, he looked cheerful yet he had lost a son, he walked to the front and stood beside his dead son.

“My people am happy you came. I understand you have many questions to ask, I assure you by the end of this entombment ceremony, all your inquiry will be answered fully. Be happy and joyful because today a new era is going to be initiated.”

People were heard murmuring in disbelief, people like Tole who hated the family for no meaningful reasons.

“Let us take the body and head to the tomb. ” Mr. Kibo instructed.

Young strong men lifted the table and started moving up the hill towards the tomb slowly, the crowd followed singing softly. It looked as if the village was heading for an atoning ceremony but sadly it was a burial. 

And they all sadly sang, “We love you our strong son, it seems the Gods love you more, you are safe where you are now and we shall meet soon. Death, you are unbearable, uncommunicative, and always unfair. When will you leave us alone, because we don’t understand you, this is an unfair war. How can you fight with an opponent who is not aware of you or the war?”

Some women were sobbing as the multitudes sang. The tomb was made of stones, massive stones. Elders who were allowed to conduct the entombment ceremony took the body and went into the tomb. People surrounded the tomb, and no one wanted to miss each step made. Mshapas’ body was laid, head facing towards the north, it was covered with white linen from head to toes and striped tightly with a rope all around. Elders came out sweating, and the tomb must have been very hot and with dense air or maybe the tense brought by handling a dead body. Many people fear the dead; actually the dead and the living are like light and darkness, cannot stay together, and that’s why the dead have to be buried and stay away from the living. 

Mr. Kibo cleared his throat and said, “Today we are going to do things differently, as I told you before, my son is chosen to lead the world. His life is made up of three phases, one was when he was born until his death, his death is the second phase, and his third phase we shall know it today. Let us make a sacrifice, sing, and dance as loud as you can.” 

The sacrificing altar was ready beside the entrance of the tomb. Strong men brought a bull very quickly and laid it on the altar. Around twenty men were holding the bull, it was powerful, huge, and well-fed. One of the elders slit the throat of the bull with a sharp knife, a bucket was brought and blood poured in. People screamed, danced, and sang to the beats of drums and horns.

The elder takes the bucket of blood and starts sprinkling at the entrance of the tomb. Singing and dancing increases, everyone is dancing at the tune of songs. The songs were those of victory, victory over death, and the enemy. At this point, smoke started coming out of the tomb, and loud trembling of the earth. Seeing this unfolding, people even sang louder. Women danced displaying their tender thighs, some danced their attractive boobs out and shook their waist romantically. Men danced with their chest out, at the back, sweat was flowing down to their pants. Their strong muscles became even tighter and visible because of vigorous dancing.

Walls of the tomb started cracking and breaking, and stones did not fall down, instead, they went up piece by piece. People could now see Mshapas’ body where it was laid peacefully. A very strong illumination of light came out of the body. The whole village became dark suddenly. Elders were shocked, and many people were really shocked, and petrified too but others were obsessed with the drums and songs, they were still dancing and singing with all their strength. They seemed never to care about what was taking place at the tomb. 

Stones still went up the air and headed to the top of the hill and fell there. All stones cleared, what was left was the stone in which the body was stowed. The light from the body lit the whole village, people whined and chanted as all this was taking place. There was lightning and thunder over the sky, the ground was convulsing too.

Mr. Kibo screamed loud, “The spirits have apprehended our cry, and they are infuriated by what has been done to our commander. Let us take the calabash and break them in order to wake the dead.” 

Several calabashes were kept beside the tomb, the elders picked them and broke them completely into shapeless fragments. As they did this, trembling and shaking of the ground increased, sounds like trumpets were heard too. The light on Mshapa was brighter and the body could not be seen, just the light. Suddenly, the light started moving towards the people, everyone was shocked and a bit frightened, even the elders. Mr. Kibo was settled; he knew what was taking place and could not wait to see the end results. 

From the bright lighting, Mshapa emerged, he was all smiles and happy to see many people there. Dressed in a bright white gown, with a tightly tied rope on his waist and a kingly crown on his head. He looked more muscular and very handsome than before. He remained standing as he continued admiring the crowd. The elder signaled for silence and everyone was quiet and came closer to witness the magic. Everyone was eager to see him at a close distance and touch to confirm he was the one. Mr. Kibo went to his son and embraced him tenderly, they smiled at each other. Mshapa's presence showed authority and power so strong, people were happy and shocked at the same time witnessing a resurrection. Mr. Kibo turned around and looked at the people.

“My people, I told you, Mshapa is our chosen commander. The third phase has begun today, here. Action Earth has begun, Mshapa is going to transform the world. We shall achieve a fair and just planet, a people with good morals, a planet with visionary and wise leaders. We shall have a planet free of nuclear bombs, biological viruses, and devilish programs like those of depopulation. Join me to invite our commander to give us a speech” 

People screamed and clapped in welcoming Mshapa, you could think the whole Taitan people were present here to witness the magic. Mshapa smiled back in appreciation.

“My Taita people.”   

People were so happy, though some did not like the family, like Tole, they had a choice to make, it is said if you can’t beat them join them. The energy of love was strong, the cheers and drumming showed truly he was the leader of the people.

“Thank you very much, for being here for me. It is really reassuring to know that people are supporting what I do. They killed me, those leaders with no vision, when you meet them, tell them I am back and no stone will be left unturned. We shall change this world into a better place, not just a place owned by a few people who hurt and grab property from the citizens. 

Anyway, I don’t want to speak much, I understand you have been here for long, go to your homes and get some rest. Tomorrow I will give fresh derivatives and we start changing the world together. One thing should be noted, this time we shall fight for good with zeal and no fear. Tomorrow let's all meet at the park and we shall celebrate victory over death and the beginning of a new strong era. Thank you very much, my people.” 

People were very happy and in disbelief, they cheered him as he joined the elders and greeted people. Mshapa was led back home with the multitudes singing victory songs. Everyone walked back home and the village became silent, all lights went off, all homesteads were locked and the village went to sleep.