We are the natives, that's because we got here before the others. That's what our history tells us. You might think it's pretty fantastic, well, it has both advantages and disadvantages. Being the first meant, we were alone for centuries before the others came. The advantage, advancement. We discovered medicines that could enhance us, make us stronger and less susceptible to disease, which meant we could protect ourselves from all danger. The awesome part, we could domesticate any wild animal we wanted. We all had wild animals as pets.
When the others arrived, we wanted to be friends with them, but it turned out they wanted the land to themselves. The wanted to wipe us out, little did they know. But it's all in the past now, we co-exist with each other now. But they hate us. My father says they hate us because they are afraid of us, maybe they should be. We go to their villages and trade with them. Even though we are not friends with them, they have stuff we need. We could take it with force but we don't, the elders want to keep the peace.
This place is beautiful. The forest, the people, the animals, it's all beautiful. I always interact with nature. Running through the forest early in the morning gives me an opportunity to do just that. A sprint down the ridge, a jump from Atefi, that's what we call the waterfall in the forest, climbing several trees and finally another sprint on the flat land to the village with Mmirrikah, my pet cheetah, which she always wins.
We live in several villages spread out over the land. My family and I live in Minnfexa, it's the biggest village in the land and that's where our Chief lives. Chief Kodji is loved by all. He saved us when the others attacked us, my father told me this story when I was young. He was there that day, my father. The others were marching on Minnfexa. Fifty thousand warriors, formed from an alliance of several others who wanted us out.
We didn't expect it, but it happened. There were only two hundred warriors in Minnfexa, even with their skill and their animals, they wouldn't have held on for long. My father says everyone in the village was scared, he was scared too. But, Chief Kodji came up with a brilliant strategy and that won them the battle. But the Chief didn't want to fight them, he wanted to live in peace with them, he knew if he unleashed what we had on them, they'd be afraid of us and resent us for eternity.
So, he tried reasoning with the others but they didn't listen. And so, he lured them into Mefisa, the dwelling place of the elephants. That season, the elephants had brought forth offspring and so they were protective. Fifty thousand armed men, entered their territory and the elephants attacked them to protect their offspring. It was a brilliant strategy and only a handful of the others survived to tell the tale.
After that, we offered them something they couldn't say no to; peace. They were allowed to come into our territory but for some reason, they didn't want to. This happened forty years ago, I wasn't born yet. Minnfexa is a very beautiful place. Its people are fearless warriors (though no one has fought in a battle for a very long time) and yet, have a kind heart. The colors add to the beauty of Minnfexa.
On my way home from the forest, I stopped by the market to get some stuff for my mother. I always go to the stall of my best friend's mother, Temina. Her fruits are one of a kind in the village and being best friends with her son means I get some for free. "Back from your morning run I suppose," she said with a smile. I smiled back at her. "Your mother stopped by yesterday. She told me to add some pawpaw and milk so you'll have quite a load to carry."
"Don't worry, my mother knows I'm a strong man," I said whilst flexing my biceps. "I see." "Mother, where is Kamari?" I asked. "He went out with his father early this morning," she said whilst loading the fruits into a bag. "They've gone hunting in the forest." Her height prevented her from reaching the gourds of milk on the top shelf.
"Please, let me get it," I went over to help her. "Thank you, my child." She sighed as she took the gourd from me. "Is something bothering you?" She pointed to a seat and told me to sit. "Yes, something is wrong," she began. "Your friend, Kamari, he's changing." "Changing?" I was confused. "Lately, he has been spending a lot of time with elder Anjari." She rubbed her palms together, as if to keep warm in the cold season, but the cold season was far away.