Chapter 3

Kolumba Tikayo was the seventh chief of Boma village. He had been picked among the six contestants to succeed Omari Kondo the sixth chief of Boma village who had gone to join his ancestors. Picking a successor to a dead chief in Boma village was based on two criteria. At the time the chief dies, the man with the largest herd of cattle plus the biggest farm was picked as successor to the late ruler. This was significant to the people of Boma village because they believed that the chief being father of all must be able to cater for his family adequately as well as provide for any helpless villager from his reserves. After the death of chief Kondo, Tikayo was found to own the largest herds of cattle as well as the biggest farm in the land. Thus he was made the seventh chief of Boma village. Men from time in Boma village are chronic polygamists and Tikayo was no exception. The new chief of Boma village had two wives Mako and Akko with eleven children to make the family complete. Tikayo‟s compound was the largest

in the village. But this morning Tikayo was not a happy man. He had brought his cattle for their morning ration of grass but his mind was not at rest. Many things were happening in the village and he was at the center of it all. Though the villagers did not know yet. But for how long will it last he wondered. Leaving the cows to fend for themselves, Tikayo moved away a bit and went on to sit on a big log of wood where he once again did a flip to the past. Boma village had been in existence for many years, he was born and bred on the exact spot where the village currently stood.

He had grown into boyhood then into manhood taking on big challenges and overcoming them like when he killed a big lion that was troubling the village. Within that period he had gotten married to his wife – Mako while Akko his second wife had followed shortly after and since then he had sired eleven children. The responsibilities were enormous but he had shown that he was equal to the task and worthy to be the next chief of Boma village. While his family grew in leaps and bounds, Boma village prospered

too. There had been good harvest in the farms and the animals, especially the cows had increased tremendously in the past years.

The chicken and the goats were not left out either; all had grown in large numbers. But above all the people had known peace and happiness. There had been deaths in the village, but this had not deemed the fact that Boma village was indeed favoured by the Gods. Growing up Tikayo had watched chiefs succeed each other things had not changed rather the people of Boma village continued to prosper. But suddenly ten years after his ascension as chief of Boma village the slender body of joy was suddenly beginning to break and he was at a loss over what to do to arrest the situation. If the problem had been from one of his subjects he would have dealt with it. Had it been a case of aggression from the surrounding villages he would have decisively dealt with it and closed the chapter long ago. But the problem was not from his subjects neither was it a case of aggression from the surrounding villages. The problem was within him – in short he was the problem plaguing

his domain and there was nobody to save him and neither could he save himself.

The incident, which had so dramatically altered his life overnight and was gradually pushing him to self-destruction, had occurred not too long ago. He had taken his cattle to the valley for grazing all had gone well so far. The cow‟s had had their fill of the juicy grass, as the sun began to go down. Tikayo had rounded up his cows and the journey home had begun. They had not covered up to ten yards when he sighted a big bird that looked like an eagle, wedged under its claws was a medium sized object, which he could not identify immediately. Just then the bird came under attack from its aerial neighbors, in a bid to fight back, defend itself as well as its dinner the object dropped and landed on the ground with a slight thud.

„What could this bird be carrying; he wondered. With the question in mind. Tikayo raced towards the object while the bird flew on making lots of funny sounds probably its own way of protesting the loss of its dinner. On reaching the spot Tikayo bent down to

examine the object but it was not necessary as he soon discovered it was flesh and still fresh”. Where could this bird have gotten this? He wondered. The bird may have picked it from the carcass of an animal probably killed by a lion or some other stronger predator. Well it was his luck at least this would mean more meat in his soup bowl. Picking up the piece of flesh, which he discovered was a liver of an animal he returned to his herd of cattle and the journey home continued.

Reaching home, Tikayo sank his bulky frame into his favorite seat. His intention was to rest for a while before going to take a wash. “MAKO” he called “MAKO” he called a second time. This time his children heard him clearly one of them ran into the inner yard to fetch Mako. While Tikayo reclined his back on his chair and continued mulling over the day‟s activities. His thoughts were interrupted when Mako tapped him lightly on the knee to

announce her presence.

“Welcome, my master,” she greeted kneeling. Tikayo grunted a response just as he

picked up the package and gave to her. “Its liver,” she said on opening it.

“Of course what else did you think it was?” Tikayo fired back.

“Master where did you get this liver?” she asked. Tikayo pretended not to hear

“My master did you go hunting today?” Mako persisted. Tikayo looked her over from head to toe and that was it as she fled towards the kitchen. “Foolish woman,” Tikayo remarked while wondering why she did not wait for him to answer, as it would have turned out to be an evening she would wish to forget in a hurry. Instead of rushing to prepare his evening meal she rather wanted to know first where the meat came from. He cursed her some more asking the Gods to visit her in their fiery displeasure. Mako was Tikayo‟s first wife, more like the wife of his youth. Mako was given out in marriage to Tikayo due to the latter‟s bravery as a hunter and for being among the few in Boma village to kill a lion at an early age. Mako‟s father was a village elder and a big farmer. Finally his evening meal was served by Mako his first

wife and assisted by two of her children. After laying the dishes the children withdrew while his wife sat opposite him so as to answer to any queries that may arise from the cooking.

“Ehm,” Tikayo began “let me warn you, the next time you question me again in this house you‟re finished.”

“Sorry my master, it won‟t happen again,” his wife apologized. “By the way I hope all that liver is here?” Tikayo inquired indicating his soup plate.

“Yes! My master it is all in your plate” Mako answered.

“Are you sure, tell me the truth so that the Gods do not strike you down,” Tikayo warned.

“The spirit of my dead father forbid that I should lie to my master in this matter,” Mako replied. Thus the questioning ceased as her husband continued with his meal-pushing piece after piece of liver and meat into his mouth. With the last morsel of food in his mouth, Tikayo picked his water jug took a deep drought before setting it down. Pushing away the tray that had contained his evening

meal, he gave a loud belched and watched with lack of interest as Mako cleared the dishes. Later while resting on his favourite chair, Tikayo could not help but bring back memories of the taste of the liver in his mouth.

“This liver was really delicious I‟ve never eaten anything like this before in my life”. He muttered quietly. „I wonder which type of animal own this delicious liver‟. Tikayo dozed off still sitting on his chair and so began his problems and the urge to satisfy it.

The next day before going out with his cattle, Tikayo called Akko, “kill that big he- goat today and prepare the liver for me”

“Yes my master”. But that evening he was disappointed “rubbish,” he said, “this is nothing compared to the liver that I ate the previous day”. He calmed down and continued with his meal; maybe tomorrow some thing else maybe a big cockerel will be killed maybe that will be the answer to his search. The next day, the third crowing of the cockerel found Tikayo ready to move out with his cattle.

“MAKO,” he called.

“Yes my master,” she answered running towards him.

“It is your turn to cook for me today so, I want that big cockerel killed and the heart and liver preserved for me. Do you hear?” He asked.

“yes my master,” Mako answered.

“Incase you don‟t know I‟m referring to that one,” he said pointing at a big black cockerel.

“My master I‟ve seen it, I will prepare your meal the way you like it.” Mako assured him. Satisfied Tikayo left for the grazing fields.

Again Tikayo was disappointed the liver was not worth eating at all. Where did this mysterious liver come from? he wondered. Anyway! He told himself I shall find out if it means entering the evil forest itself I shall do just that provided I find the animal that has this tasteful liver and when I find it I shall pass a law making it an offence for anybody that kills this particular animal to eat its liver.

The liver was to be taken to the chief only he concluded quietly. Five weeks later Tikayo

was still searching for the mysterious liver and he made sure it remained unknown to the villagers.

Animals upon animals were slaughtered yet none of their livers matched the mysterious liver. On his part Tikayo was far from ready to give up his desire to locate the source of this liver. He yearned for that blissful moment with the delicious liver being crushed to bits by his powerful set of teeth with his stomach as final destination.

The search for the animal with the special liver continued until almost every possibility was exhausted within the village. Then he turned his attention to all the forest around Boma village including the evil forest. He hunted down many animals but in the end he was totally disappointed and he itched terribly for a taste of liver – his favourite liver.

Tikayo eventually became frustrated due to his inability to get another liver as delicious as the one he had eaten earlier on. Desperation set in and it became a real obsession whereby the Boma chief would rage at the slightest provocation. His family was the worst for it

and he no longer enjoyed his meals. Knowing well that he had not sampled all the animals in the forest Tikayo decided to embark on a bizarre decision that was to change the life of Boma people, for as long as it would last.

At the back of his mind was a nagging feeling that the liver could be human liver but how can I kill my subject or somebody in my house just to get his liver? He wondered. But I must have this liver again; he said to himself Tikayo weighed the prospect carefully but the delicious feeling of the first liver in his mouth was too much for him to bear. I can‟t take this punishment anymore I must have this liver. The urge could not be ignored anymore it must be satisfied.

With his mind made up on the issue he had laid an ambush along one of the old farm route, which had been partly discarded. He had waited patiently for his victim irrespective of whether it turned out to be his own child. Unfortunately, the first victim turned out to be Atanda‟s son and he had paid the price. It had been easy killing the boy Tikayo had

combined surprise strength and speed to overcome his victim.

Three heavy blows to the head and the boy had gone down without a sound. Elated Tikayo then brought out his hunting knife and quickly made a path to his vital organ where he cut out the liver he then dragged the corpse to the spot where it was later discovered. Then Tikayo after cleaning himself of bloodstain had proceeded, home that evening he was his old self again as he munched on the liver of one of his subjects he was obsessed and he knew it but he did not care.

Tikayo had enjoyed his meal tremendously and the boy‟s copse had been found by Udago and it had been buried after undergoing an impromptu funeral rite and that had been it. Nobody was suspecting him after all nobody had caught him in the act. That was then but during his sober moment he shuddered at his actions. How was he going to get out of this mess without hurting himself first and his family he wondered.

He fantasized with a couple of options that included killing himself but he rejected the idea. Why should he kill himself he

wondered? As far as he was concerned that was a cowardly way out. In every society there are people who must be sacrificed for the society. People must die for society to survive and Boma village was not an exception by a long shot therefore suicide was out of the question he will not do it so that his body will not be thrown into the evil forest. A thief is only declared a thief when he is caught in the act of stealing or with the stolen item. Life was sweet and he would continue as if nothing had ever happened. From henceforth I must be careful in the manner with which I source for my liver. He cautioned himself. Tikayo also resolved that after killing his victim and removing the liver rather than leave the body where it will be found thereby drawing undue attention and unnecessary talk he would hide the body first then in the night when the entire village was asleep he would come out and bury the body in the bush. The villagers would search and make plenty noise about the missing person and extensive sacrifices would be made to Rorche for protection and for the safe return of the

missing person. But how far Tikayo would go in his killing only time was the best judge.

The killing or rather the mysterious death of Atanda‟s son passed faster than anybody in Boma village anticipated. For the moment peace returned to Boma village again. From a casual observation of the village it was obvious that life had returned to normal. Two things attested to this fact the first being that the women could afford to leave for their farms alone unaccompanied by their husbands.

The second fact was the children who also enjoyed the liberty or running about like little antelopes just released from cages. Moreover unlike in the past, the children could now afford to go to the river in their different groups to enjoy themselves. The average father or mother in Boma village is never afraid that his child might drown. This confidence is attributed to the fact that in Boma village, the moment a child comes out of her mother‟s womb after the separation of the umbilical chord the child is taken to the river for a brief welcome ceremony into the

world. Even though they live some distance away from the river the forefathers of the village still thought it wise that every Boma child be brought up in this way with this initiation done the river becomes a friend of the child and no discouragement is entertained from the mother.

The child continues in this manner and by the time the child is six years the child would have mastered the first basic steps of swimming and the fear of large bodies of water is already removed. Beyond this the children are trained to hunt for animals like their fathers.

Thus, the mothers were not afraid when their children venture to the river. Being confident that the children were already equipped to face life. The mothers watched with joy as their children pranced about as far as they were concerned whatever had held the village to ransom had gone and their children could once again enjoy themselves to their hearts content.

While the people of Boma village went about their daily activities without the fear of

death resulting from attacks by the phantom that had laid siege on the village. The same could not be said of Tikayo the chief of Boma village. Tikayo was a worried man, but he was always careful so as not to give himself away but whenever he was alone, Tikayo always cursed everything that had contributed to his problems.

That Tikayo was not afraid was a joke. Unless he found an alternative to the human liver, he would go on killing and one day he would be caught and that would mean being banished to the evil forest to die a wretched death or be hanged.

“Curse be the day I set my eyes on that mysterious liver,” Tikayo said smacking a nearby tree with his right palm. This action drew a grunt from his cattle grazing a couple of feet away from him. “Now what do I do? He asked himself “How do I get out of this problem?”

Tikayo continued to ponder on the issue at hand turning it over and over in his mind; he continued to weigh the option that had just entered his mind. This pleased him a lot and

he smiled in total relief. As far his predicament was concerned, this might just be the final solution to his nightmare. May be the antelope might have this liver too if it does then he won‟t be killing human beings again.

Leaving his herd of cattle to graze on its own. Tikayo left and began walking into the forest in search of the antelope. So far, after killing the Atanda boy, Tikayo had been experimenting by killing other animals so far he was not satisfied. He believed the antelope had a liver similar to that of a human being. He had slaughtered a couple of his cows but he did not get what he wanted too.

He had resorted to hunting animals like rabbits; grass cutters etc. Heavily, disappointed especially with the grass cutters. Tikayo had finally resolved to go for the bigger game. As he trudged along the path, Tikayo could not help salivating as his mind went back to the last liver he had had. As far as he was concerned, it was ages since he had a decent meal spiced with his favourite liver.

Suddenly, a grass cutter darted across his path. He let it go, for that was not the kind of

game he was after. To ensure that he was not caught off guard, Tikayo picked an arrow from his pouch and placed it on his bow. He was a very good hunter and everybody in his village knew it and it was not a secret that the Family he descended from had been good hunters too and successful cattle owners. Enough of this family history, he would think about it some other time but for now he was badly in need of a good meal spiced with his delicious liver.

Suddenly he saw the footmarks of an average sized animal he examined them “antelope,” he said. Rising up immediately he became very alert and started following the tracks on the soft earth. Tikayo continued tracking the animal but did not see it. On the verge of giving up, he heard the sound of chewing carefully, Tikayo quietly crawled towards the sound on sighting his target Tikayo heaved a sigh of relief. Standing a few meters from him was a big brown antelope that was busy feeding unaware of the danger before it.

With his arrow fixed to the bow, Tikayo stealthily closed the distance between himself and the antelope. Deftly he released the arrow straight into the thigh of the animal incapacitating it in the process. The antelope let out a whine and slumped to the ground. Tikayo immediately rushed towards the antelope with all the speed he could muster. He brought out a very sharp hunting knife and without delay slashed the throat of the animal as the blood flowed, Tikayo collected the amount he could in a medium sized gourd. He then opened up the antelope, he did not probe too long before finding the liver. “Wooo” he exhaled. The much-coveted prize was now within reach; first he cut out the bile and threw it away.

As a boy his father had told him, “Animals are crafty”. Not knowing what that meant he had probed further, “good” his father had said “As a hunter the moment you bring down an animal whether in a group or alone, the first thing to do is to open it up and cut out the bile. If you delay, you will not like the taste later”.

“What is the reason for that?” Tikayo asked.

“Like I said before most animals are crafty in that at the throes of death, most animals secrete lot of bile which makes its flesh bitter therefore when you strike immediately slash the throat if it is still alive and then dissect it and cut off the bile. Do this and the flesh remains fit for consumption.”

Truly Tikayo had experimented and he had seen the truth in what his father had said. Throughout his transition from boyhood to manhood, he had always remembered this advice.

Thus with all manner of love he severed the bile sac from the animal‟s organs, then he cut off the liver and carefully dropped it into his bag. “Now I will gather the carcass of the antelope and drag it home. Thanks to Rorche there will be meat in abundance for my entire wives and children”.