She laid still. She made no noise. She silently prayed to the heavens to save her, to blind them all. Tears streamed down her eyes into her ears as she stared at the rock above her. The whole village were after her. Her father was after her.
She knew this day would come, after all it was her destiny, so she never prepared for it ; but the moment it came, she ran. She ran and prayed to the gods to guide her. So they listened and guided her little feet.
For 7 moons, she'd been fed well, pampered and oiled. From birth, she'd been marked as the 'ihio'. The moment she came out of her mother's womb first,while holding her dead brother's ankle, she'd been marked for death by all.
She was a curse for being a girl and for coming out first. Her stubbornness killed her brother, for which man wants to be behind a woman? Which man?
She knew when it was time because the whispers ceased and every one averted their eyes when she was around.
She knew when it was time because the whispers ceased and every one averted their eyes when she was around.
That night when she heard the drums beat rhythmically, her heart skipped. Not wanting to believe it was her time, she ran outside her hut and met the dark night. Everyone had put out their light.
'Mavanyi, it's time.'
Her father's voice in that darkness jolted her, so she ran.
'Mavanyi, it's time.'
Her father's voice in that darkness jolted her, so she ran.
As she ran, she heard the tempo of the drum change. She knew it would bring everyone out to chase her. Men,women, children... her playmates would come for her because her death meant cleansing and fertility for all.
She ran and let the gods lead her. They led her to the cave.
She ran and let the gods lead her. They led her to the cave.
Here, the gods would protect her. Here, her late mother and brother would watch over her.
So as she lay still, crying silently inside the cold cave, she didn't notice something cold slither close to her. She felt a weight on her and tried to get up but it slyly slipped around
So as she lay still, crying silently inside the cold cave, she didn't notice something cold slither close to her. She felt a weight on her and tried to get up but it slyly slipped around
her and held her tight. The more she struggled, the more it squeezed. She gagged and choked. She vomited as tears fell from her eyes. She thought of her dad who never loved her like his other children. She thought of other kids who only played with her when no adult was around.
Then she thought no more. Outside the cave, the chief priest, her father and the villagers waited in silence as the cave shook.
When it stopped, they knew Mavanyi had met her destiny, for in that cave was a god awaiting its sacrifice... its meal.
The gods indeed be praised!
When it stopped, they knew Mavanyi had met her destiny, for in that cave was a god awaiting its sacrifice... its meal.
The gods indeed be praised!
Please unroll @threadreaderapp
