Say Walah

15: Strangers In A New Land

As the first light of dawn broke over the horizon, the boat began to slow. Mairo stirred from her fitful sleep, her body stiff from the night spent in an awkward position. She gently shook Rimi awake, and together they watched as the shoreline of their new world came into focus.

The dense, verdant forests they had glimpsed from afar now loomed before them, a wall of green stretching as far as the eye could see. The air was thick with humidity, carrying the rich scent of damp earth and unfamiliar flora. Exotic birds called out from the canopy, their cries a stark contrast to the hushed whispers of their fellow passengers.

As the boat docked at a small, weathered pier, Mairo and Rimi exchanged nervous glances. This was it - the moment they stepped into their new lives.

"Remember," Mairo whispered to Rimi, "we must be cautious. We know nothing of these people or their ways."

Rimi nodded, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and excitement, visible only through the narrow slit in her hijab.

Cautiously, the young women disembarked from the boat, their bodies completely shrouded in hijabs and scarves, leaving only their eyes exposed. The contrast between their attire and the local dress was immediately apparent and drew curious glances from those around them.

The women of Nri moved about with a graceful confidence, their bodies adorned in a way that was shocking to the desert-raised young women. Cloths were tied around their bosoms and waists, often ending above the knee, leaving much of their ebony skin exposed. Vibrant red beads adorned their waists, necks, and wrists, with some even wearing them around their ankles. Their hairstyles were elaborate and eye-catching, sculpted into intricate designs that seemed to defy gravity.

Mairo couldn't help but stare at the women's beautiful, dark skin. While she and Rimi were fairer, the difference wasn't as stark as she had imagined. Mairo and Rimi's complexions, tanned by the desert sun, were only a few shades lighter than the fairest Nri women.

The men wore wrap cloths, some hanging to their ankles, others stopping at the knee, leaving their chests bare. Beads glinted around their necks, and white runes marked their dark skin, symbols that only deepened Mairo's sense of alienation.

As they made their way past the people at the dock, Mairo realized with growing anxiety that she couldn't understand a word of the rapid, melodious language being spoken around them. The barrier of communication loomed large, adding to her sense of alienation.

Eyes followed them as they walked, some curious, others wary. Mairo could almost hear the unspoken questions: What were women from the north doing so far south? What brought them to Nri?

Mairo grasped Rimi's hand tightly, drawing strength from her friend's presence. They were strangers in a strange land, their covered forms standing out starkly against the vibrant, exposed bodies of the Nri people. The humidity pressed against them, making their heavy garments uncomfortable, but they dared not adjust them, feeling exposed enough already.

As they moved further into the village, the sights, sounds, and smells overwhelmed their senses. The air was thick with unfamiliar spices. Drums thumped in the distance, a rhythm alien yet strangely compelling.

Mairo's mind raced. How would they communicate? How would they adapt to these new customs and ways of dress? The challenges ahead seemed insurmountable, but they had come too far to turn back now.

As they hurried through the seemingly endless market, dodging calls from enthusiastic traders and curious glances from passersby, Mairo's anxiety grew. The cacophony of unfamiliar languages and the press of bodies around them only heightened her sense of vulnerability.