Ikheya
Figured I can post another creation story. This one is from my short story anthology Black Fantasy.
“Gather, gather around. Let me tell you all of Ikheya’s (Home) creation and our folly. In the days immemorial, there was Unkulunkulu (God)—the first man. Alone he was with the lands flat and barren. He grew lonely after some time, so he traveled to the Reeds. They were ugly to him, and he left. Unkulunkulu went to the Anga. He found it beautiful. He took from it and pulled out many lovely things. From the Anga, we were born, the animals, and all the good things. He re-formed the land. Raised up the mountains. Carved out rivers. Blew out the clouds from his breath, and rain poured into the waterways. A swing of his arm brought forth the wind and air. He planted seeds, and the barren land became lush. When Unkulunkulu was complete in creating Ikheya, he taught us to plant seeds, hunt animals, and create tools from the earth. He gave us a gift, a lizard.”
“He told us: ‘I have raised the mountains, carved the waterways, given you water from my body, and seeded the ground. This is your home, which I call henceforth: Ikheya! Let these lands flourish forevermore by you, the Kudalwe Kusuka Kumthombo (Created From Source). This is your land, do with it as you all will; only respect what I have given you. I leave you all a gift. Speak Umtsheli wokungafi (Narrator of Immortality). The lizard spoke thus: ‘I am the gift that speaks of immortality. You all cannot die.’ After the lizard spoke, it scurried off into Ikheya. Unkulunkulu left us for Intaba Ephakeme Kakhulu (The Most High), where he lives now. You wonder, is this the tale’s end? No, as in life, we must have the bad. We flourished as He told us, but we did not respect what He gave us. The land went barren, the waters lost fish, and animals never strayed from Unkulunkulu’s home. We grew greedy for such things. Until we believed we were greater than He and cursed His name. He heard our insults and came down to Ikheya. There he presented a second gift. Umbalisi Wokufa (Narrator of Death), a chameleon. It spoke: ‘I am the gift that speaks of death. You all shall die.’ Unkulunkulu left for his mountain. The chameleon scurried off. As time went on, many of us died. Desperate to regain our immortality, groups went to search for the lizard. They never returned. After the death of his wife, Umdala Wokuqala (The First Elder) took up arms to lead the strongest to Intaba Ephakeme. They climbed the mountain to slay Unkulunkulu and gain his immortality. Because he loved us, Unkulunkulu transformed into Umvelinqangi (The Origin) and shook the mountain, and all of them fell to their deaths. Our folly did not end there. We dared to set Ikheya ablaze, for we believed if we must die, so shall Ikheya.”
“Umvelinqangi, angered at our actions, left for the reeds, where he sprouted out monsters and all the bad things. As the monsters ravaged the lands, Umvelinqangi watched from the mountain. Unable to bear witness, Umvelinqangi transformed back into Unkulunkulu. He cried for our suffering. He went back to the Anga and brought forth the Gods. The Gods pushed the monsters that ravaged the lands back to the reeds. Unkulunkulu came before us, where he spoke, ‘May this be a lesson to never anger me again. Next time, I shall become uSomandla (Almighty).’ On that day, we swore to Unkulunkulu to never anger him again. It has been centuries since then, and we, the Kudalwe Kusuka Kumthombo, have long since faded into legends after we left to live here, Ukujiya (thick). Away from others, never to anger Unkulunkulu again. Let Ikheya flourish. As we call ourselves, Isizwe Esifihliwe (The Hidden Tribe). Tell me, shall I tell another story?”
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