Chapter 2
Soon his friends would start streaming into the homestead and he had to select a few goats to be slaughtered to celebrate the new addition to his family. He also had to retrieve the traditional brew he had stowed away to ferment in readiness for this day. He was already busy with the young village men slaughtering the animals when he heard the singing of the village women as they walked into the compound balancing loads of firewood and water on their heads. Some carried whole bunches of plantains, others bore huge yams and cassava, while others carried pumpkins and loads of potatoes. Soon preparations for the feast started in earnest.
Once the celebtions started they went on through the entire day and night. There was never a shortage of food or drink as the men sat down to their booze and women took their tea and porridge. The dances were rather vigorous too since everyone loved their Chief dearly. By the next morning though the homestead was quite as everything went back to how it used to be.
I, Kira, was a bubbly little girl and I had quickly warmed my way into my father's heart, he loved me dearly, to which many of his friends frowned at. Men, especially those in power were only believed to have a soft spot only for their sons, those that would continue the family lineage. So for my father to even love me as he did, and to be so open about it, well let's just say that it raised a few eyebrows. Once I was of school going age, I was enrolled into the only school in the entire village. Something the villagers disapproved of greatly since only boys were allowed to go to school. But my father, the great Chief Kanyi did not care since he wanted the best for me, and made sure I got it too. So in their feeble minds and capacity they decided to make an exception since I was the first and only daughter of their of their great chief. Life was good at the chief's palace as laughter rang the air through out the day. My mother got pregnant and our joy knew no limits as we expected an addition to our small family. Little did we know that our source of joy would also be the source of our greatest sorrow. My mother, the endeared Maria wa Kanyi, died as she brought forth my little brother Elkanah.
The little happy village was reduced to painful cries and gloom hang over it like a heavy blanket, choking the very life out of that inhabitants. There was mourning for days even as my father held on to me, trying to come to terms with the loss. Though I was young I somehow understood the magnitude of the loss, as it was explained to me by my grandmother. And just like that, laughter disappeared from our happy home. My mother was laid to rest and we started to slowly pick ourselves up. My grandmother took on the role of raising my infant brother. And did a darn fine job as he grew into a strong beautiful toddler. If you thought my father was spoiling me before you should have seen him after the loss of my mother. I went almost everywhere with him, protective was an understatement. And time went by quickly, with months turning to three years. My brother and I grew healthier and stronger every day.
