Akyeaa: Chapter 11

It had been three days since both women had set off for Ihikrom. They had survived on just nuts, berries and water. However Fosuaa was still worried about Akyeaa.

'Maybe we should take a break, Akyeaa.' I wouldn't want you to wear yourself out.'

'This is nothing' she grinned. 'You are the old one. I'm surprised that you haven't asked us to rest more often.'

'Priestesses are trained to survive in the bush for years with nothing but their wits. And a few nuts and berries.'

'I remember doing something like that for five days'

'Nkunimdifo) training?"

'No. Puberty rites. In Ankonamkrom, you get to choose which form the rites take. I did that to see what I was capable of'.

The bird suddenly landed in front of them and walked to their left, towards a bush stained in red clay. The two women brushed them aside, careful not to stain their suits and saw a small village in the middle of large red clay circles drawn on the ground.

'What's with all the red clay?" asked Akyeaa.

'Theoretically, red clay repels kakai.'

At the village gates, they were welcomed by a short, fair smiling man in a tour guide's uniform.

'Welcome tourists. I am Ato and welcome to the mystical, wonderful village of Ihikrom. One of the most spectacular.....'

'Sorry to interrupt you' Akyeaa cut in. 'But we're here for the Nyameakuma (godaxe).'

'Of course, that's the main attraction. The tour will cost each of you fifty Ghana Cedis,'

'Akyeaa groaned. This was going to cut into her budget. She dug into her suit pocket and handed over two small bags of gold dust.

'This way, please'.

'As they walked into the village, they noticed that everything had been preserved. The buildings, the pathways, they all had that unchanged look.

'Ihikrom was so named after Ihi saved the village from the Sakraman Sum (dark wolves). The village took his name to honour him, but he refused to be their new leader. He however wished that after his death, the village would be preserved for future generations.'

'He must have been a good man' said Fosuaa admiringly.

'He was' . Allotey beamed. 'He was a real nkunimdifo). A pity that there aren't anymore of them around.'

'I'm a champion' Akyeaa pointed out.

He took a good look at her suit and trousers. 'Really, you look like more of a saleswoman than a champion. Maybe you're a champion of door to door sales'.

'This is the standard work uniform for champions in Ankonamkrom. It's supposed to portray power and competence.'

'How come I've never heard of you, then?' he quizzed.

'Because the people of Ankonamkrom (the village of solitude) prefer to keep things to themselves.'

The trio stopped in front of the Posuban (Asafo armoury). Allotey opened the doors to reveal all types of traditional akodze. Machetes, longswords, triple and double bladed swords, long handled axes. In the centre of the Posuban was an ekumapraban, with the tag, "Nyameakuma: Replica"

'Where's the original?' Akyeaa asked.

Allotey looked heavenward.' In the skies. When Efa destroyed the kakai nations with nothing but two ekumapraban (long handled axes), Ihi realised that only the Sakraman Sum had been invulnerable to traditional akodze. However since he had wiped them out, there was no longer any need for the godaxe. Also, the red clay kept the kakai away. As a result, the Nyameakuma reverted back to a lightning bolt and shot upwards into the sky, the day he died.'

'Where can I get some ekumapraban" Akyeaa asked after a long silence.

'At the gift shop, just next to the hut of elders'.

'Guess there's no way around it, Fosuaa. I'll have to kill Ekuaba the old fashioned way'.