A Powerful People
Our land was vast and plentiful. It had the best ground for farming crops. The antelope herds frequently passed through our lands from the golden plain to drink at the edges of our mighty river. Honey from the many beehives in the forest gave us the strength we needed to defend our homes. Rocks from the nearby canyon provided excellent material for our homes.
My little sisters often returned from gathering wild vegetables with my mother carrying sweet smelling flowers. “Those are ridiculous,” I would say, pretending to sound like a grown man, but inside I liked the smell of those yellow flowers in the spring. I miss that smell. I miss my sisters.
My father was a great warrior, but early in my life, I saw his faults. His mind was easily taken by anger. The Crioux would often raid our herds and slay many of our people. They would crawl over our fences at night, like cowards, and spill the blood of our people. This angered us all, but my father, as chief, felt it was his duty to be the most angry. Some of the elders rebuked his anger, but others, mostly the younger generation, encouraged his wrath.“We cannot let them run free while the blood of our brothers cries from the earth!” they would demand. At that time, I didn’t know which side to trust. I was young. I didn’t know who was right. I just knew that something had to be done to make things peaceful again. I wanted peace more than anything.
I knew that we Aku were not innocent throughout my early years. Often, my father would lead some of our best men into the flat lands to raid and kill the Crioux, but always in daylight. We did not hide in the night like cowards. We fought like men and avenged the death of our brothers.
In my younger years I had thought within my heart, “We have to make them feel as we do! They would know how it feels to have death at their feet.” But then, not long ago, a thought woke my soul, “They do feel the same as we do. They are humans just as we are humans.” We had been killing each other and taking each other’s lands for thousands of years. They were taking revenge just as we were taking revenge.
Once I realized this, I would have done anything to stop the war that had broken out. But by then it was too late. We had already lost. Our lands were gone. Our herds of cattle, driven off and killed or stolen. What was left of our brave men were scattered in the forest. Our women and children were forced to leave our home and walk aimlessly into the never ending plains. I hear they survive off the morning dew and wild grass. They are not able to hunt, to chase the antelope that mock the women and children with their playful leaps. They are weak and hungry. They are scared. No one can help them. Just me.
I am Ita-kokay! Son of Ita-Mowmbay, the last great chief of my powerful people! It is my duty to regain our home. To take back our pride – to destroy all that stand in my way!A Powerful People
We are a powerful people! Our home was on a desolate hillside that was undeserving of a name. Our only water came to us from two small springs that trickled slowly into the barren lands. Very few trees grew in this wasteland and those that did, provided very little shade from the hot sun. We had been driven to this forsaken land by the Aku, our hated enemies. They tricked our fathers into a false hope for peace. They had driven us from our beautiful home in the forest many, many years ago. But now we have taken it back. This gorgeous land is ours forever.
We used to struggle every day to use the scarce water to cultivate our crops and grow large trees to provide shade. Our herds were small; mostly goats because they drank little of our precious water. Occasionally, weary beasts would attempt to drink from our waterholes. It provided a rare opportunity for meat. The few vegetables that would grow in our gardens were rough and unsatisfying.
I did everything I could to teach my younger brothers how to fight. I had a special stick that I shaped into a spear. I would practice with it every day, teaching my brothers all that I knew. One day, I knew that I would use that stick to retake our homes. That day finally came.
My father is the greatest warrior alive. It was his courage and cunning that led us to this victory. He would often sacrifice the few hours he had with our family at night, and spend that time leading raids on the Aku. No man is better suited to lead us than my father! The Aku are so dumb. They never expected us to come in the
dark of the night. They would only attack us in the day when we could see their faces. We knew when they were coming.
“They will not live peacefully in our home while we struggle for life in this wasteland!” my father cried on the night before our victory. At that time, I believed him. I did not know the truth of war. I just knew that everyone believed the same thing. This war would make our people peaceful again.
I knew that we Crioux were not innocent throughout my days as a child. I often heard stories from my father about raids on the Aku. How he had slaughtered them without losing a single man; how he had outsmarted them. We fought like men and avenged the death of our brothers.
In my younger years I had thought within my heart, “We have to make them feel as we do! They would know how it feels to have death at their feet.” But then, not long ago, a thought woke my soul, “They do feel the same as we do. They are humans just as we are humans.” We had been killing each other and taking each other’s lands for thousands of years. They were taking revenge just as we were taking revenge.
Once I realized this, I would have done anything to stop the war that had broken out. But by then it was too late. We had already won the war. Our home was retaken. I was happy for my people. I celebrated with them as we feasted night after night on the lands bountiful offerings. Our women and children could sleep well at night on soft beds made from luscious plants. They wake in the morning without the fear of finding enough food to satisfy their hunger. We are happy now and perhaps, a little too happy. The Aku will return and try to take
back what is rightfully ours, but I will defend it. Alone if I have to.
I am Imong! Son of Imong-li, the first great chief of my powerful people! It is my duty to defend our home. To defend our pride – to destroy all that stand in my way!
Copyright © Jason C. Murdock 2011
All Rights Reserved
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