Staffrider Vol.3 No.1 Feb 1980 - DISA

CHANGATEALL SUB-CHIEFS:MEMWE:MAMANJI:MEMWE:MAMANJI:The same place.I believe my Jomo shall live.And if the Gods wishFor me to exchange my life for his,This do I leave at their disposal.Long live Your Lordship.Long live Your Lordship.Long live Chief Memwe.Long live his Royal Highness Jomo. (ChiefMemwe stands up and calls for Mamanji).(To Mamanji), These people are hungry. Isthere anything you have arranged for them toeat?My Lord, food is ready.I was about to send in a messenger to you tofind out if their highnesses would prefer tohave food first and then drinks afterwards.Give them food first.I will do so, My Lord.(Exit Mamanji).Scene IIMEMWE: Thini, please give me snuff.My nostrils are dry.I have not smoked anything since yesterday.NDZONGA: Me neither, My Lord.MEMWE: Nonsense, you like things.NDZONGA: (Laughing). No, My Lord, I just want a bit.MEMWE: But your nostrils are too big:you will empty the whole horn in there.NDZONGA: I have a very handsome nose, My Lord, andwomen say so too.MEMWE: (Passes a small curved horn containing traditionaltobacco, finely ground, to Ndzonga).NDZONGA: Yes, this is good stuff.MEMWE: By the way, Mokgosi, who is that man whosebeard is so bushy?MOKGOSI: Ngaka Njisi, My Lord.MEMWE: And what does he do?MOKGOSI: He is a great healer.He knows very bush and herb that is in thisland.He is also a great bone thrower.His bones speak with great precision.He also sends pestilence to those who killothers.Last year a child got lost, abducted by acertain headman for medicine.He told exactly where the child was to befound.CHANGATE: Was the child found?MOKGOSI: Yes.MEMWE: Alive?MOKGOSI: Yes, My Lord, in the bush among the rocks.He was just about to be killed, to strengthenthe headman's kgotla.MEMWE: Where does he come from?MOKGOSI: He comes from Nata.MEMWE: Call him in.He may just be a pretender, a simpleton.(Mokgosi goes out and in a few momentscomes back with Ngaka Njisi).MOKGOSI: I have brought this man.Your Lordship may wish to speak with him.NJISI: My Lord, and your highnesses,I greet you. (He kneels down).MEMWE: Greetings to you, my son.SUB-CHIEFS:MEMWE:NJISI:MEMWE:NJISI:NDZONGA:NJISI:NDZONGA:NJISI:MEMWE:MOKGOSI:NJISI:MEMWE:NJISI:NDZONGA:MEMWE:MOKGOSI:MEMWE:NJISI:Greetings to you too, young man.What is your name and where do you comefrom?My name is Losika Njisi. I come from Nata.I understand you are a doctor.Yes,Your Lordship.Can you tell us more about yourself?What exactly is it that Your Lordship wantsme to tell him about myself?Your work as such.People usually despise men who speak loudlyabout themselves and eulogize their works,you know.Speak on, brother, and forget what peoplealways say. We are old and can easily see ifyou are telling us lies.We have no reason to doubt your sincerityand credibility.You tax our anxiety. Please speak up.Your Lordship, I deal in herbsAnd charms.I was trained by a traditionalMedicine man who was also the secretDoctor of Chief Lewanika.Those people are great.No wizard or witch dares play with them.They see any mischief before it is hatched.My Lord, while I do not object to yourrequest that I should tell you something aboutmyself, I would instead ask you to give meany task to prove whether I am a real doctoror just a cheat.I am prepared to do that for no reward.I think this is a mighty good idea.And you, Mokgosi, you are the youngest.Speak first.Your Lordship, I agree.I can see you are a very clever young man.We shall allow you to do as you haverequested.We shall be here Monday next.Arrive here before the sun is very high abovethe trees.(Exit All).(Njisi speaking alone as he walks to his home,pulling heavy sandals made from an ox headskin).To me, witchcraft is likeThe bow and arrow to a bushman.These men know not that I am more thanI appear to be.In the darkness of ignorance,No man appears wiser.I shall strike hard, if I am required to strike.(Exit Njisi).Scene IIIA hut in Imi's sweet-potato garden. It is dark. Enter Imi,First and Second Women plus Ten others, and Mosikari.IMI:MOSIKARI:Mosikari, I wish to bring home facts as theyareMine is a question of life and death.Tose, the second wife to Jomi, must bedestroyed; she must be eliminated.She has taken everything from me.Jomo cares no more for me.Do you know who I am?34 STAFFRIDER, FEBRUARY 198C