The World We Want

Chapter 1: Entombment

It’s an entombment ceremony. 

Hundreds of mourners have come to give the deceased a decent burial. Everyone walks calmly and sadly as if the dead do not need any disturbance. 

The Taita people always maintain culture; women are well covered with leso, both lower and upper part of their bodies, the leso extends to cover their heads too. Most men have put on jackets, caps, and holding walking sticks, standing in groups discussing how the life of the deceased was when alive.  

This burial ceremony is painful and disturbing at the same time because Mshapa was shot dead by unknown people. 

Many persons believe the authorities killed him as he was an activist against many bad things happening in society. 

Mshapa was believed to become a liberator, not only for this village but the world at large. Villagers had come first to mourn his death and most importantly to hear what the family members would say about the supposed savior and leader of the world who is currently fallen.

“Hey, don’t you think this would be an embarrassing day for this family?” Tole asked Brian. “Not really why do you ask?”

Tole is a well-known scientist and researcher, he believes in science in its totality, that’s why he never understands the family of the deceased who claims to change the world using the sleeping spirits of our forefathers. 

Brian, on the other hand, is a doctor and very open-minded, despite his professional work, he believes in the combination of everything in achieving better lives for the people. 

“His father claimed that his son would be a world leader and change many things we are going through, now see he is dead!” Tole explained.

“That’s very true my good friend, I would advise you to stop judging them now, wait and see what will transpire. Remember each family has its secrets and ways of doing things, and this family is also the custodian of traditions and culture held by Taita people, they deserve respect at this trying moment.” 

Tole was not satisfied with Brians' answer, actually, he had more questions for him. “So who chose this family to lead us? You mean your family and my family can not be given the privilege to lead the society? What is even absurd is that they claim that they are going to lead the whole world and lead it in the right direction, do you believe in that?”  

Brian gushed a laugh and said, “You have called it well, it is a privilege given to them to lead us, and just like talents, leadership is given randomly to different people. Another thing, they possess the ideas of how they will be able to lead this world, you are not a leader today because you have no idea of leading the whole world, or do you have any?” 

Sofi joins them from behind, she is covered all over, she smells good like the sunflower in the field, her well-oiled face glitters from the reflection of the sunlight. She is a dedicated high school literature teacher. 

Sun comes out early in the hills of Taita, crops are happy but here it is a somber mood. Young life is lost by the partisan, who only cares about what favors them and not the people. 

She greets them humbly to the respect of the dead and asks, “What are you guys talking about? Let me hope it is not your normal science topic Tole?” 

“Not today, my dear, we are discussing this family in general and how unlucky they are to lose their firstborn Mshapa. Do you remember his father claimed that his son would lead the world one day and demonstrate how humanity should live with one another peacefully?” 

“Yes, I remember that, actually, we were discussing that with my friend, do you know who killed him”, she brings herself closer to them, “I hear the government did it because he knew something about embezzled money by some of them.”

“Ohh really”, Brian responded, “You mean that was so. That is very inhuman and very low, they should be held responsible and justice should be served. I am always very mad when good people strive to do good they get harassed and even killed.” 

“I agree with you and am really yearning to hear what the family has to say.” 

Mshapas’ father, Mr. Kibo, is a very prominent older adult who fought for the freedom of the people. He is also believed to be the custodian of Taitan heritage and culture because of his experience and knowledge. The family has not hard good relations with the political class and many other people, with their divergent ideologies, belief in oneness, and good morals among people. 

Mr. Kibo was a beloved among the Taita people. Many aspired to be like him, supported and listened to everything he said. His fame didn’t go well with the leaders both locally and internationally. During the celebrations of independence early this year, as one of the heroes, Mr. Kibo was given an opportunity to speak, and he said;

“The world deserves better, the people deserve better and a time will come when things have to change. We are tired of non-visionary leaders, who care about themselves and never bother about the welfare of the people. We are tired of the so-called cartels and deep state, who can do anything without being questioned.”

The multitude kept quiet and paid attention to their beloved.  

“They grab what belongs to others and make it theirs, they plan devilish programs like depopulation, to reduce the number of people in the world. They behave as if this world belongs to their fathers and mothers, they forget that this world belongs to us all. These people will plan the assassination of people who propagate the mindset of progress, justice, and togetherness. 

They own everything, their names exist in every sector, agriculture, health, entertainment, military, and education. Our heritage and culture have been jeopardized by these pigs, immorality has become the new norm. r**e, i****t, a******y, f*********n have been made normal and this has made our land to be cursed.

Today we face viruses that crawl all over the world killing the old and those with weak immunity, locusts have invaded our farms, landslides, earthquakes, and unprecedented wars have become our concoction. Mother nature is angry, planet earth is angry with us because we have lost direction and we need to correct this as soon as possible. 

Nevertheless, I have good news for you, Taitan people. You are chosen to bring redemption to this planet earth. You will be the people who will bring harmony on this planet and my eldest son Mshapa will be your leader. As your commander, he will have many opposers but he will win. He will conquer all the nations in the world using the sleeping spirits of our forefathers and most importantly God will be on your side. 

I urge you Taita people to stand and support him and make this planet a better place for all mankind. His life is made of three phases, the first will be learning and practicing, the second phase will be shortest with sadness and the third phase will be full of victory and glory. I bless the land of Taita, Taitan people, and your commander Mr. Mshapa, may you conquer the world and reform its leadership and morals.”

Cheers were heard from the multitudes, people were happy and ready to follow what Mr. Kibo said. 

“Be blessed!”

Mr. Kibo’s speech is what is lingering in the mourner's mind today at this entombment ceremony. Mshapa will be laid in a tomb, which is ready, up the hill near the sacred caves. The cave was well prepared, facing the north. From the top of the hill, you could see both sides of the village. Some were seen heading towards the homestead of Mr. Kibo and for the children were following the proceeding from the comfort of their home compounds.

Tole, Brian, and Sofi were close neighbors to Kibo’s family but had different sentiments about the family. They stood there to follow and wait for the actual ceremony. The elders were busy finalizing the preparations for the ceremony. The elders wore a red ribbon on their heads and covered themselves with red and black clothing and smeared some paint on their faces, hands, and legs.

The landscape was sloppy because the house was built in the middle of the hill. People had to find nearby bushes to sit in groups, they had to push the shrubs and grass, and they sat on them. Mshapas’ body was well laid on a table, the table had a soft cushion and pillow for supporting and giving a peaceful rest to the dead, in front of the house. 

Aside, a group of men and women sang traditional songs, the women displayed their soft and tender thighs as they swayed and spun tender hips, they had very short coverings. Some men danced, others played the horn and drums in tune with the song. They were chestless, no coverings, you could notice some women enjoying watching them dance. You can't understand the connection between life, death, and the activities involved, but the connection exists. Anyway, the essence of dancing and singing like this was, to celebrate the deceased life and remind those alive to cherish each day of their life. 

At the other end, a group of women was crying, sobbing quietly, these must be close relatives and friends. When it comes to crying for the dead publicly, culturally only women are allowed to cry. Men can cry but in private, is it because they are heads and leaders of the society. 

Behind the house, other women were cooking food for the people, and men were slaughtering a bull. No event goes by without slaughtering an animal, without people eating meat, it is part of the heritage.

Mshapas' body laid there peacefully, you may think he was just having a nap. His face showed happiness, people came to see him and felt sorry for him. Everyone wondered why the supposed leader died. People discussed this in low tones while wondering. They were really waiting for Mr. Kibo’s tribute and feedback. 

The leader of the entombment ceremony stood up and blew the horn loudly to indicate the inception of the ceremony.