The Ships

Chapter 3

It was the night of the moonlight dance and Ndina was ecstatic about it. she would finally get a chance to catch up with Ndamona. Ndamona was the village's oracle and only come out to socialize during the moonlight dance.She spent most of her time in her hut and was rarely seen by the villagers. Only the village elders, her mother who brought her food and the Chief were allowed to see her. As for Ndina and everyone else, well, they just had to wait for the moonlight dance to see her.

"Ok we'll meet at this tree at 11 so we go home. Got it?" The other girls nod their head in agreement and dispersed. Since Ndina had asked for permission she had make sure that everyone got home safe. That was the rule, he who asked, bore the burden of responsibility. She pulled one of the younger girls back "Pawa. Please let's not have a repeat of last time." The girl grunted, clearly annoyed. "Og, I told you I'm sorry. It won't happen again. Hano, what else do you want me to say. Can I just go your highness?" Ndina never quite understood why this girl disliked her so but she didn't care enough to ask her why. She let her arm go and watched her disappear into the crowd. "Well I tried." Ndina muttered. She felt a hand on her shoulder. Startled she turned smack into Ndamona.

"Why in all heavens are you standing so close Ndamona?" she rubbed her forehead where she had bumped Ndamona.
"How was I supposed to know you would turn around so fast? Like, what did you think I was? It's the moonlight dance friend, calm yourself."
"Still Ndamona, who stands that close?"
"Not this personal space nonsense again. We're at the dance, of course people will get into your space."
"Still. you know how I feel about it." Ndamona sighed.
"I cannot with you today Ndina. Like I just cannot today."
"Ok, ok. Enough of that personal space talk. How have you been friend?" they hugged. It had been a while for the girls and this was the only time they got to catch up. Being an oracle meant that she had to stay in her hut and consult the ancestors as well as use her gift of vision to tell if the rains were coming early that year or not, any bad omens, matters of war as well as whatever matters the Chief needed assistance that only the ancestors could give answers to or that only the oracle was able to see. She was kept in her hut to prevent men from seeing her and asking for her hand, for once she slept with a man, her gift would be gone as well. But she longed to be married as well. Have kids of her own. Her gift was more a curse than a blessing to her. She hated her gift. But she also knew that her Chief depended on this gift. Ndina noticed the mood change.

"Guess what happened last week?" she said trying to lift her friends mood.
"What?"Ndamona's eyed widened ready to hear whatever juicy thing had happened. Ndina laughed, men did this oracle love gossip.
"Uncle Hamutenya's son asked for my hand again."
"Wait big nose?" Ndamona asked pulling her face in disgust
"Yup."
"Gross."
"I know."
"Ok. But there are so many other handsome young men asking you out, what's wrong with them though?"
"Well. Firstly these men are typical."
"Aren't they all?"
"Perhaps, but I want someone who is at least understanding. Someone open minded, you know."
"Someone like daddy?"
"No." she laughed and pushed her Ndamona gently.
"Just someone I can relate with." Ndina did not know how to explain it. It's not like she was waiting for the one or all that mambo jumbo. Something just kept telling her to wait and so wait she would. Ndamona interrupted her thoughts.

"Relate how?"
"What's with all the questions?"
"I'm trying to understand what you are looking for Ndina. Like you are gorgeous and there are other gorgeous people out there that you can make gorgeous babies with but since we were kids you always talk about this relate thing and I just don't understand it. Just pick one handsome one who can take care of you and go with it."
"Hano why do you keep saying to just pick one? Like it's a parade or something. Don't you want me to find someone who I really like and who really likes me and who I can just be myself around? I don't want a husband who who will limit me or keep control me. I'll just know when I see him wah."
"Boring. I think I fell asleep during that bullshit presentation on love. Anyway if it makes you happy to believe in this notion of fairy tales and the perfect husband, than go with it. But boy if I had the chance, I would pick the hottest one. You know I like them ebony." They both started laughing. The sound of the conga drum started signalling the start of the dance and ending their conversation. "Come on Ndina. the dance has started. I want to be in the first group. But there is something I need to tell you after. It's important."
"Do you really want to be first?" Ndina said laughing and grabbed Ndamona's arm before she could say anymore, dragging her through the crowd to join the large circle of dancers. "I see your onyx drummer boy is playing the conga today. Perhaps that's why you wanted to go first, so he notices you first."Ndamona looked down, She was blushing furiously but Ndina didn't notice. She was too busy trying to push them closer to the drummer. Ndamona had a huge crush on the conga boy. He was tall,beefy and just her type of really dark. She only saw him during the moonlight dance. Sometimes she would sneak out of the house to go stalk him at the river. She had to admit it was creepy and it freaked her out too but she really liked the conga boy. Ndina knew this and was always trying to hook them up at the dance every chance she got. She interrupted her thoughts.

"Its our turn to go into the center next Ndamona. Snap out of whatever nasty daydream you are having about the conga boy."
"Ok. Let's go." The girls went into the center and started dancing to the rhythm of the beats and the claps with their feet. It was all about footwork and coordination. Ndamona was of course the best dancer followed closely by Ndina. Every time they got in the center, everyone stopped what they were doing to marvel at the speed and rhythm at which the girls moved their feet. It was really something to behold. Their agility, the clanking of their ankle bangles, swishing of skirts and arms in the air. It was truly a test of who was the better dancer.