Tall trees with the green shades and a grey looking sky marked the occasion of the birth of a legend. Though some rejoice, some mocked and some just stood shaking their heads in unbelief. The birth of a child was a thing of joy and merriment to every family but, the birth of a legend accorded even more respect, joy and awe.
Ajele, the oracle of Ibuku danced in her usual e'bem which she displayed with ostentation on such occasions. The people of Bekembe had gattered in different attires and jewelries which the women proudly wore around their necks, wrists and ankles. All dancing to the beats of the tiny a'aku'u'm drums tied around their waists. The dance had gone on for hours as the occasion demanded till the sky darkened and nocturnal insects began to party lousily in the nearby bushes and pathways.
To crown the occasion and its purpose, Ajele stepped into the rear of the compound, raised her zubba and with a wave, the dance came to a stop. There was a total silence as she began to speak, panting slightly from exhaustion. "People of Bekembe! People of the hills and valleys! I greet you. I Ajele of Jiji, oracle of Ibuku, have come today, in respect of the desire of the gods. The gods have never been mistaken. They are wise and they are powerful. And that is why they have decided to pick from the house of Oiya, a proud son of the soil". She turned to man beside her, obviously the father of the child. "Bring me the child".
He disappeard into the hut with his oil lamp and came out with a woman who carried a crying baby. Then, he gently removed the baby from its mother's arms and places it in Ajele's who received it in like manner and turned to the crowd. "This baby, is not just a baby, but the future of this village". She began but got interrupted as a lightening sparked accross the sky and the thunders roared. A good wind began to blow and Ajele screamed, held the child very tight to her chest, and began to spin. She spun so fast that everyone feared that the child might slip from her hands. At a point, she began to slow down staggard and finally fell to her knees. Silence fell upon everyone as the lightening thunder and wind came to an end. Then, Ajele began to roar like a lion, her roar so real that many ran for fear while some dared to watch till the end. She began to speak, still in a strange voice; "A worrior is truly a worrior after the battle. A lions battle is its roar. And a child with the face of a lion on her chest is not a child but a future. She shall fight battles and defend Bekembe. She shall uphold her honour. The cub you see today, shall be a great lioness tomorrow. Kuju, step forward. "She ordered the girl's father who obeyed. "In the order of our tradition, you are required to name your child and at this juncture, pass the baby back to you" She said as she gently returned the baby to her father.
"My people, great people of Bekembe. I greet you in the name of our ancestors. It is said in our land that a good name is indeed a fortune. And that is why I am here to give my dear daughter a fortune that she will lose only when she dies. He paused and looked into the darkeness-kissed faces slightly lit by oil lamps and torches. "Zatoya will be her name, for she is indeed a fortune to my family and to the people of Bekembe. "No sooner had he finished his speech than a great noise rose from among the crowd. Choruses and choruses, music and music. Dance and dance. Food and drink. All followed the joy of the birth of a legend, till many were filled and bloated and drunk and had to find their way home in the early hours of a new day.
