Mighty Brahmuhn
The Two Chiefs

The following day, Brahmuhn and Chief Mbada were taking a stroll outside the compound, walking through the village.

‘You see all of this, Brahmuhn?’ said Mbada, ‘All this wealth and beauty that is Matanda Village? This is the work of my hands!’ He beat his massive chest in pride.

‘I’m sure your people deserve credit too, right? I mean, there is no chiefdom without the people,’ Brahmuhn said.

Chief Mbada laughed disdainfully.

The laugh was so hoarse, arrogant and annoying that Brahmuhn fought every fiber in his body to slap Chief Mbada in the face.

‘Do not be so naïve, Brahmuhn!’ he gave him a friendly yet hard slap on his back. ‘The people are only there to compliment the works of the chief; to acknowledge his excellence. Why do you think Mwari created us in the first place? To add value to his excellence through the acknowledgement and appreciation of his power!’

‘I do not acknowledge any deity by that name, but all I know is that there is no power or fame without the contribution of others.’

He stopped and turned to look at Brahmuhn. ‘Listen, son; in this world there is a hierarchy: Mwari is highest, then comes the chief. Below the chief are the mediums and below the mediums are the people…the commoners. The chief is there to be served by the people, not to serve with the people.’

Brahmuhn was trying to ignore the bitter taste Chief Mbada had spewed in his mouth by calling him “son”. He controlled himself and instead he said, ‘Your views of power, forgive my words, are highly delusional.’

‘Fine then, let’s agree to disagree,’ Chief Mbada brought the subject to a swift conclusion. He seemed insulted that Brahmuhn had referred to his views as “delusional”.

Brahmuhn could see the irritation on his face and he made a subtle smile. He said, ‘Tell me, “chief...” I hear your wife is a medium.’

He made a proud and jolly laugh, ‘Of course! Of course! Probably the best…’

‘And pray tell; how did you two meet?’

‘I saved her from this poor fool about fourteen, or was it…fifteen years ago? To tell you the truth, she seemed quite happy that I rescued her from the fool. Now she is the wife of a chief; the most courageous of them all!’

Brahmuhn’s anger began to rise. It threatened to expose itself. ‘But was there ever any love you felt for her?’

He immediately burst into laughter. It took him at least six seconds to quiet down. ‘My boy, women are just meant to please us! Us, men! To cook, clean, caress and give us heirs to carry our names, our legacies. Love was made by the weak, for the weak!’

Brahmuhn stopped walking. His eyes were turned to the ground.

‘What is it, Brahmuhn? Did I offend you? Are you one of the “lovers” type, too?’ He chuckled and gave him a pat on the back.

‘I heard…your wife, Tsitsidzashe Masimba, was forcefully taken from a man; an honorable man who loved her since childhood. I also heard that on that same night of your marriage to her, you murdered that man right in front of her eyes, so viciously and so pitilessly. You tried to kill their son too, but…’ he shrugged.

Mbada now looked agitated but curious all the same.

Brahmuhn continued, ‘The son ran away to a village called Chaponda. There he was raised by a much wiser and peaceful chief than yourself and trained by the most elite soldiers called the Vadhindi that would make your malnourished Gorivas run for the hills at first sight. Even though he was made chief in that village he contemplated his vengeance. Finally, he left with one of his trusted warriors. He came to your village and found out that you’re still the same delusional and insatiable dog from fourteen years ago.’

Mbada’s eyes were now wide open. Frustration and shock were smeared all over his face.

‘Now…’ Brahmuhn ripped off the goatskin on his hand to expose his medium mark, ‘…that boy will be waiting for you in your home. He will be waiting to put your false legacy to rest.’ He turned around and began heading for Chief Mbada’s homestead, leaving him shocked, his mouth wide open.

Brahmuhn found Cheetah sitting with three men just outside Chief Mbada’s throne room.

Cheetah immediately stood up. ‘My chief, you look disturbed.’

‘Get me my knobkerrie from the guest hut.’

He quickly did as told.

Tsitsi came running out of the throne room. ‘Tawana! Tawana, my son- please don’t do this! Please run! Please run! Tawana, mwanangu I beg you!’ She was hopelessly pulling his arm.

His eyes were turned towards the sky, towards the sun. He brought them back to earth. From a distance he could see Mbada walking fast towards the homestead.

Cheetah came running and handed Brahmuhn his knobkerrie.

Beside Chief Mbada were Ngoni and Bhonzo and behind him were his Gorivas and most of the village warriors.

Cheetah now realized that the moment had come; the moment that Brahmuhn had anticipated for so long. The moment that had motivated his anger and possibly his skills on the battlefield and his endurance when he, Shumba, Tortoise, Mamba and Hippo had trained him to become a member of the Vadhindi. He wrapped his whip around his hand and stood at Brahmuhn’s side.