Numbering 200,000, the Bassa are the second largest cultural group in Liberia. For centuries their knowledge and wisdom has been passed down in a rich oral tradition, much of which has been shaped into the stories of the Djuankadju, the "endless" epic which is still sung and danced. The Djuankadju is called "endless" because the Bassa people's history continues. However, those knowledgeable of the epic are becoming more rare, and few alive know most of the rich stories.
In the late 1970s, Robert G. Tikpor, himself a Bassa and a Catholic priest, set out to tape record the Djuankadju as it was then performed. Today, the oral historian who sang the Djuankadju is himself dead, but Monsignor Tikpor, who lives in Liberia, has carefully translated the tapes into English. This publication constitutes the first group of stories which have been translated and adapted.
The Creation of Human Beings
When the earth was drained of its excessive waters, the Creator Gleypoh made some animals, but he did not yet send them to earth. First, he had to provide them with food, so he had to plant some green herbs. The first plants to grow on the earth were given to Chameleon to plant, and among them was the herb whey. Now whey was to contain poison and some day would be associated with evil, sin, and anything potentially harmful to people and all life forms.
While Chameleon was on his way to earth, Gleypoh had second thoughts on planting evil in the earth. He called to Chameleon to return, but the stubborn creature paid no attention to the Creator's wishes. As a result, Chameleon, who changes his appearance, is not to be trusted. Gleypoh turned from him and called all of the animals which he had created and asked who would run after Chameleon and plant the antidote to whey before the herb took root. All the animals hesitated to volunteer, but the Rooster, since he was equipped with strong legs as well as a fine pair of wings, stepped forward.
"I will fly quickly to earth and plant the antidote!"
Gleypoh was pleased and gave him the plant of goodness. At once Rooster started to run and fly simultaneously. However, despite his good intentions, Rooster soon came to a colony of termites. Laying his burden aside, he greedily began to feed himself as he was quite hungry.
Gleypoh saw this and was disappointed. "Is there another animal who will bring the antidote?"
It was then that swift-footed Dog ran up to Gleypoh.
"I can outrun both Rooster and Chameleon! Let me carry the antidote!" he barked excitedly. Gleypoh agreed and Dog ran and ran. At last he reached earth, only to find that Chameleon had already planted the herb whey. Obediently, Dog planted the antidote so it also would blossom. So it is that parents today warn their wayward children thus: "My child, be careful! Evil was born before you!" Gleypoh continues to allow evil to sprout because he still provides the antidote to poison and wickedness.
On their return to Gleypoh, Chameleon, Rooster, and Dog were summoned for their rewards or punishments.
"Chameleon, because you did not listen to my call, evil is now growing on the earth. Human beings will eat of whey and know wickedness and death. Since you have caused this to be, the mere sight of you will henceforth be an omen of misfortune perhaps the death or injury of some close relative or friend. Since Rooster did not overtake Chameleon, but rather fed himself, thus betraying the welfare of humans, from this time on roosters will be sacrificed and served at mourners' meals."
This is why, to this day, whenever anyone dies, the first meal for the mourners is a rooster or, when none is available, a hen, that is, the rooster's wife.
As for Dog who had done his best but could not reach earth before Chameleon planted wickedness, he would be man's closest friend in the animal world. Thus the world was prepared for the arrival of human beings.
Jae, the Destiny of Mankind
When the earth was ready to be inhabited, the Creator God Gleypoh assembled his finest creation human beings! However, before mankind was to depart for the earth, Gleypoh called the assembled pilgrims together before a mysterious huge piece of meat called Jae. Beside the Jae was a flat stone, like a step. Each person before leaving on the journey to earth had to mount the stone and cut off his or her piece of Jae. After cutting the Jae, each human being was to turn to Gleypoh and hold up for all to see what Jae he or she had cut.
The first woman who cut her Jae, in her excitement at the solemn preparations the Creator Gleypoh had made for the departure, ate and swallowed her meat. She had failed to turn to Gleypoh and obtain the Creator's approval. Gleypoh then asked her, "What kind of Jae have you cut?" The woman was confused and replied, "I do not know, for I have already eaten it!"
Thereupon, the Creator looked at her sternly. "Since you did not consult me before eating the meat, your husband will see Jae in your bowels!" By this Gleypoh meant that she would someday be an unfaithful wife and and her husband would be tormented with suspicion. That is why today suspicious Bassa husbands "see Jae" in their unfaithful wives.
A man then stepped upon the stone and cut his piece of Jae. As he turned to the Creator, Gleypoh asked, "What kind of Jae have you cut, my son?"
"I have cut the Jae of riches, Lord!"
Gleypoh acknowledged that would indeed be the man's fate. Such a man would have riches come to him while he sat home doing almost nothing! The Creator smiled, "Your slightest effort will bring you all the wealth men might desire!"
A second woman cut off her piece of Jae, and when she correctly showed it to the Creator, Gleypoh nodded his head. "You have cut the Djuwodein-Jae, the Jae of motherhood. You will be fertile in your married life and bear many healthy children!"
Immediately, another woman sliced off a hunk of Jae without being very careful. When Gleypoh saw her jagged slice, he shook his head. "Unfortunately, you have cut Daun-sai-Jae. It is the Jae of barrenness. No children will come from your womb! The children of the fertile woman will fill an entire village, but you will not see even one child in your life."
Gleypoh walked among his people and continued. "Barren woman! You will see the joys of motherhood in many other women, but you will not know such joy." The woman stared at Gleypoh in silence, her heart filled with grief. "Why will you not give me children!" she cried out. Gleypoh replied, "I do not cut people's Jae. But you will have other blessings, for your Jae will make you a leader among women."
"But is there nothing I can do?"
"You will have to wait for your next circle of life. Then you will have the opportunity to cut another piece of Jae!" However, Gleypoh knew that some humans would likely cut their Jae in the same way and face the same fate.
Among the departing pilgrims were men and women who cut the Jae of wealth, fame, intelligence, and business success. Still others preferred the Jae of poverty, thievery, or lawlessness. And no matter what one's education and social upbringing would be on earth, one would end up in life according to the Jae one had cut before leaving the presence of the Creator.
The Embarkation to Earth
After everyone had cut his or her share of Jae as a victual for the journey to earth, all was now ready for the embarkation in the respective group canoes. In order to cross the vast river which separates the earth from the Creator, three types of whoh or ships were provided by Gleypoh. These canoes were to represent the three types of relationships which would exist among people.
The first ship would be the wodo-whoh, or the kinship of blood relations. Only those related by blood would travel on this ship. The second vessel was the buee-whoh or the relationship of affinity or mutual interest. The last canoe was the noohn-whoh or the social relationships between people of the same community, tribe, or nation. In this last ship would travel all others who are related by virtue of their living in the same local.
Thus, by birth we acquire certain relationships with other persons: our parents, our spouses, our friends, and the rest of society to which we share a membership. These relationships exert certain influences on our conduct in life. When friction arises in life, it can only be settled peacefully by those who are in one or another way related. All people have extended family or clans to which they belong. No person is so alone that he could not find a person or place where he may belong.
If a person steals from his brother, the angry victim might ask him, "What whoh brought you to this?" If the thief answers, "I was moved to act because we came by the same wodo-whoh!" The offended person no longer considers the guilt as malicious. Had the offender not a relationship to his victim, the act would have been very serious. Hence, among the Bassa the moral gravity of one's offenses is greatly lessened by one's whoh.
The Beautiful Princess Deydju
Now Sahn, who was with the Creator when the earth was built from the depths of the primeval waters, came to Gleypoh and asked for the hand of Zeema in marriage. Thus it was that Gleypoh's eldest daughter was given to Sahn as a wife. In due time Zeema had the most beautiful of all women, a daughter they called Deydju.
Deydju was the first child of Sahn and Zeema. It is said of her beauty that the Creator Gleypoh endowed her with all the physical gifts the children of humanity could want. She lacked nothing which the daughters of men could desire in beauty. Her fame began to spread when she was only two years of age!
When she became of marriageable age and had just returned from the Gris-Gris bush, she was dazzling. Now the Gris-Gris bush is the school where girls learn how to become responsible women, wives, and mothers. So beautiful was Deydju that Zio, one of the male servants of Gleypoh, immediately sought her hand in marriage. But the maiden steadfastly refused him.
Soon many other princely suitors came from the four corners of the world to seek the hand of Deydju, but the Princess let it be known that she did not think Zio, her grandfather's servant, or any other suitor who had sought her hand, fit enough to be her life partner, be he a prince, king, or warrior.
Indeed, Deydju's beauty had made her excessively vain, and she could not see how any man might deserve her beauty. As the daughter of royalty, Deydju could not be given in marriage against her will. The choice of a husband by a girl's parents was the lot of a commoner, not a chief's daughter. "I will marry," said Deydju," when and whom I will!"
Again and again Deydju turned down Zio, but her persistent refusal did not discourage him. "Be my bride, Deydju, for I cannot bear to have another!"
"You are only a servant, Zio! Besides, I can only give myself to one as beautiful as myself!" Zio refused to give up and conspired to abduct the princess. Together with several other discontented servants, Zio plotted an ambush.
Late one night Zio and his men surrounded the hut in which Deydju was sleeping. Zio knew that he would now have the beautiful maiden, whether lives were lost or not. When he entered the hut, a handmaiden of Deydju awoke and cried out, but Zio cruelly slayed her with his sword. Other handmaidens also in the hut began to cry aloud for help and they stood between the enraged Zio and the trembling Deydju. Their blood was soon on Zio's sword, but before he could grab the princess, Sahn's warriors stormed into the hut and chased the wicked servant and his rebellious men away. The harmony of the kingdom was lost forever on that day as the discontented fled with Zio to the most remote part of the darkest forest.
Thereupon, Gleypoh cursed and banished Zio. "From this time on your name will be changed to Dabanyo-Zio or Zio the murderer." Gleypoh was saddened at his creations. The earth now knew the taste of human blood. Man had fought against man and his harmony with his creator had been lost.
Dabanyo-Zio built his village in a far corner of the thickest forest. People say that the effect of the curse on Dabanyo-Zio was such that, from one of Gleypoh's most renowned warriors, he became the most venomous and horrifying creature there could be. To all who ever encountered him after his expulsion, he was Dehvene, or the ugly thing.
Women who were unfortunate enough to meet up with Dehvene in the forest simply fell into a swoon by the mere repulsive sight of him. So ugly was he that even his followers, who had been banished with him, could not live with him. In his distant camp, he lived alone, festering on hate and lust, feeding on both animals and humans.
As for Deydju, no matter what amount of goats, cows, or other bride gifts the kings, princes, and famous suitors brought her parents, she remained as unyielding as ever. After much pleading by one rejected suitor, Deydju solemnly spoke out, "M seoh mohn, no qxeh seoh mohn!" or " I do not want him; even my dead body would refuse him!"
Deydju's parents asked her for the reason for her persistent refusal to get married to any of these rich and powerful suitors. She simply told them that she felt none was fit to be her consort.
Later, she confided in her grandmother, the beloved Zoe Behdeh whom she adored, that she had not yet found a man handsome enough to match her. So it was that the years passed.
Deydju remained with her handmaidens and friends in her father's village. Men came and went but Deydju did not move or wink an eyebrow. Those who brought cattle and other goods as dowry were too ashamed to take back their goods, and so, they left everything with Sahn and Zeema, who became the richest parents in the realm. As a result of their wealth, Sahn acquired several younger wives to serve Zeema. Numerous men and maid servants worked Zeema's farms, fetched firewood and water, and performed all the domestic chores.
One day, an imposing princely man, the most handsome and best dressed anyone had ever seen in the village, came, as if out of nowhere. He said his name was Wxiwudadju. He said he had long heard of the princess Deydju and had come to court her. Wxiwudadju's name meant "elegant man" and it matched him very well. Tall and majestic in his strides, he was the most eligible bachelor who ever appeared on the scene. He told Deydju's parents that his chiefdom was not too distant from theirs.
Wxiwudadju was very insulted when Zoe Behdeh told him that she did not think her grand-daughter would marry a man they had never heard of. Upset by the venerable matriarch's remarks, Wxiwudadju stamped his right foot on the ground and pointed to the distant horizon.
"There is the kingdom of which I speak! Come and see the banana groves and roofs of the huts of my village!"
All rushed to his side and standing on their tip toes, they could see his village! From where the Prince stood, the village was clearly there and appeared to have always been. The people murmured, "Why is it that no one living has ever heard of or seen this village?"
Deydju, who had been out swimming with her maids, returned home and was met by a panting servant boy.
"A new suitor, Missi, awaits you. A Prince, he is, like no other!"
As soon as Deydju laid her hunting eyes on the formidable Prince, she was completely enamored by his extraordinary looks and fell into confusion. Turning to Sahn, Deydju said, "This is the man I have been long waiting for!"
The wedding day was fixed. Celebrations went on for three weeks and three days. People came from all over to see the man who had won the legendary Deydju's heart. So many cows and goats were slaughtered for the feast that even Zoe Bohn, the talkative midwife, lost count. The pomp and pageantry was all that befitted the wedding of Gleypoh's most beautiful grand-daughter.
Finally, the day for the departure of the couple came. Scores of servants, with many of her friends, accompanied Deydju. Dozens of carriers took all the goods that Sahn and Zeema could give to enrich the retinue of their dear Deydju.
The handsome Prince Wxiwudadju and Deydju set out one bright summer morning. Deydju was carried in a swaying hammock borne by four fast and strong men. In a second elaborate hammock was carried the Prince. The servants with their heads loaded with bundles took the lead, stopping and resting whenever they felt the need.
The party traveled all day long for the first day without passing through nor seeing any village. To Deydju's surprise and consternation, the town of her husband which had been seen from her father's own town was nowhere in sight.
The bridal party traveled for many days. Trekking days turned into marching weeks. At night the party slept in abandoned huts or under the forest trees. The following morning the servants would rise early and take the lead while the bridal party brought up the rear. After two weeks' journey, Deydju began to notice that the number of her servants was perceptibly diminishing.
"Wxiwudadju, could it be that some of my servants have left us?"
"Perhaps they have gone home, tired from the long trek." Deydju felt an uncomfortable feeling within her heart, but obediently continued with her husband on their journey.
On one particular day, Deydju and Wxiwudadju came to the village of Chief Fox. The servants had gone ahead and the Prince told the carriers to stop.
"I would like to meet with Chief Fox."
"But he has not come from his hut since your highness last passed this way!" replied a nervous peasant. "Chief Fox has not left his hut for he cannot see with the eyes you, Prince Wxiwudadju, left him!" The Prince had indeed taken Chief Fox's eyes on loan and left his own in exchange.
Deydju did not understand. But then Chief Fox came out of his hut, emerging with what appeared like two medium sized glass globes resting precariously on his forehead.
"I cannot see with your eyes! Long have I awaited your return!" Chief Fox gently delivered these globes to the Prince with all due care and respect. "May I, your highness, humbly have my own eyes back? I have not been able to leave my hut for months for your eyes distort the world!"
On witnessing all of this, Deydju became dazed and would have collapsed into her hammock had the servants not held her up. Chief Fox took back his own beautiful ocular jewels, and placed them carefully into the sockets of his face.
Wearing his own eyes, the Prince was simply not the same dashing bachelor Deydju had seen on the afternoon of his arrival in Gleypoh's village. The bridal party continued on into the deeper woods.
In like manner, the Prince dutifully returned to the Dove that creature's most beautiful legs and took back his own which were more like the rotten stumps of a palm tree than the feet of a man.
To Mr. Bat the Prince returned that bird's tiny and most sensitive ears, and took back his own. The sight of the Prince's elephantine ears reminded the now trembling Deydju of the fans which the women of her village used during the thrashing season. From Hippopotamus the Prince got back his own skin, which was like the back of an aged crocodile. By the time Prince Wxiwudadju got back all of his own anatomy and faithfully returned that of his benefactors in the animal world, Deydju was in shock. Out of fear, all the hammock and load carriers disappeared into the bush, taking to their heels in all directions.
Undaunted, the Prince took Deydju and placed her behind one of his huge ears as a carpenter would carry his pencil. It took another day or so before they finally reached his cave-like hut deep in the forest. Here Dabanyo-Zio, cursed by Gleypoh and thus transformed into Dehvene, the ugly thing, unloaded his ear of the slowly breathing Deydju.
The Princess came to herself when she felt something like cool water on her face. But quickly she shut her eyes again in dread of what she had seen.
"Am I dreaming?" she thought to herself. "Oh, that I would awaken from this nightmare!"
But it was no dream. She quickly understood that this beast of a husband was the former servant Zio, whom she had often refused. Had she not been told by women who had seen Zio after Gleypoh's curse that the mere sight of him would cause a woman to faint. She had married the ugly Dehvene!
Deydju was now Dehvene's bride and prisoner. "Who will deliver me from this monster?" she wept bitterly. Without looking at her gruesome husband, she asked, "What has happened to my servants and maids who came with us?"
"Hey, Deydju," he told her laughing, " I was so hungry on the journey and had nothing else to eat! Those servants of yours were so refreshing during the long trip!" And with those horrible words, the evil Prince's eyes rolled like burning coals. Deydju shuddered, wondering if she would ever be rescued from her living nightmare.
To the Oracle for a Son
Some of the servants and carriers of Princess Deydju returned to Gleypoh to tell the Creator of the horrible story of the Prince and the nightmarish spectacle which had occurred beginning at the village of Chief Fox. Gleypoh grieved but knew that human beings held their destiny in their own hands based on the choices which they made. And so, the unfortunate Princess would have to wait until someone could rescue her.
Sahn and Zeema, the parents of princess Deydju, had no other children except those of their handmaidens whom Zeema had encouraged Sahn to take as wives to help her in her household tasks. Increasingly, Zeema felt that the children born to these handmaidens were not hers.
Finally, Zeema approached Sahn with her complaint.
"Sahn, my husband, I do not think it is just that all the wealth which you have acquired through our daughter Deydju should go someday to the children of your handmaidens."
"I hear your complaint, my wife. What would you have me do?"
"I desire to bear you a son. A strong warrior who can justly claim your inheritance; a compassionate man who will console me in my old age."
"I'll think about it." With those words Sahn went on with his own interests. Again, Zeema approached him.
"Sahn, my worthy spouse, when will we have a son?"
At first Sahn evaded the issue, but Zeema returned again and again until he could get no rest from her persistence. Sahn tried to persuade Zeema that having a son would be unwise.
"Zeema, my dear wife, why would you need more than what you already have? Be content to preside over a fine household. Is not our home the richest and most famous in all of creation?"
"I'm unhappy with being a childless queen mother. I want a son who will inherit your kingdom!"
"I'll think about it."
"You'll think no longer, husband! I shall go to consult the great Oracle of the East, even if I must travel there alone!"
This was the last straw for Sahn. Reluctant as he was, Sahn had to give in. No woman ever went alone to consult the Oracle of the East. A husband always took his wife to the Oracle, whether it was for riches, for valor in battle, or for children; it was always the man who took his wife.
"All right, woman! I shall yield to your wishes. I shall take you with me and together we shall ask the Oracle if it is possible for us to have a son!"
Many were the ordeals that Sahn and Zeema had to undergo during their difficult journey to the Oracle. They had to travel for many days through the most dense forest. Wild animals prowled around them as they pushed on. The trees of the forest were so high that the canopy of their branches prevented the sun's light from penetrating to the ground. So Sahn and Zeema trudged on through days which were as dark as night. Finally, they approached a clearing in the mountains where the Priestess of the Oracle lived.
The Priestess stood and Zeema looked up at the dark figure clothed in robes which hid the form of her body.
"You have come to request a son? First, you must perform a task, you who have servants do all of your work!"
Zeema's task was to catch the first living creature that she could with a net from the waters of the sacred pond by the Oracle.
For days Zeema waded in and out of the stream.
"This is so frustrating! All I catch are dry leaves and twigs! But I must keep trying if I want a son!"
On the fifth day Zeema thought she had finally caught something, as she saw a green tadpole swim into her net. Singing with jubiliation, Zeema reached into the net to take hold of her catch. Just then, the slippery creature slid through her fingers like an eel and darted back into the muddy pond.
"Sahn," she cried out, "I nearly caught a living creature! Oh, I'm so tired!"
"Keep trying, wife," smiled Sahn.
The next day Zeema caught a beautiful silver fish. "This will be a prize, indeed!" she thought. But just as she took hold of the fish, it jumped clear over her head and disappeared into the stream.
Finally, Zeema caught a heavy dark mask, called by the Bassa people, Nah. Such a mask is most frightful to Bassa women and they hide from its presence. In stricken terror, Zeema dropped both her net and the mask into the stream and climbed out of the water looking for Sahn.
"Husband, where are you? Save me!"
When Zeema turned back, she saw that the mask had risen out of the water and now was the face of a shouting, dancing spirit. Zeema ran for her life up the path from the pond and through the forest until she came to the clearing of the Oracle. When she saw the Priestess, she collapsed at her feet in a swoon. The masked spirit had vanished.
The following morning Zeema went before the Priestess of the Oracle.
"I cannot return to the pool. It is too frightening!"
"Then you will not have a son."
With resignation Zeema returned to the pond. Some women from a nearby village had heard of her task and they came to visit her on the bank of the water. There they sang and danced to encourage her. Once more Zeema entered the murky waters.
Again and again living things swam into her net and everytime she tried to catch them into her side basket, they escaped.
"This fishing is hard work," she sighed.
Finally, a strange living creature swam into her net. Zeema
took care not to touch it until she brought the net upon the
shore. At last, she was able to get the creature into her basket!
Singing with joy, the village women accompanied a very happy
Zeema back to the Oracle. However, the fish seemed to be growing!
Soon it extended out of the basket all the way to Zeema's feet!
When the women reached the Priestess, the fish was now looking
like a log, nearly as tall as Zeema!
The Priestess of the Oracle looked at Zeema and the log-fish. "Tie the log onto her back! Zeema, you must circle the village three times!"
The men of the nearby village strapped the heavy log to Zeema's back and she could barely hold the weight. Nevertheless, three times she circled the village with the women following her and singing encouragement. Each time she went around the village, the log increased in size. By the end Zeema fell under the brutal weight.
The men took the heavy log from Zeema's back and placed it before the Priestess. At once, it became a wagging twig. The Priestess took the twig and fastened it into a charm which she placed around Zeema's neck.
"I am sorry to tell you that there are no longer any single children left in the Oracle."
Zeema nearly collapsed with disappointment, but the Priestness continued. "A set of triplets is available. You either take the triplets or nothing!"
"Would you want three children, my wife?"
Before Zeema could reply, the Priestness spoke.
"These triplets will be the most mysterious children any parents could have. But they will be problems to you all the days of your life."
"We'll take them," Zeema announced to the dismay of Sahn.
Having been given some strict instructions as to food and other taboos, what they should or should not do from then on to the birth, Sahn and Zeema set out on their return.
Now the Priestess had one more thing to say to Zeema as the couple were leaving. "When you approach your village, you will stumble against the roots of a certain wax tree. When you bend over to examine your toes, as people usually do after stumbling, a dry branch will fall just before you. Break up this branch for firewood and bring it with you for that purpose."
"At the outskirts of your village, a heavy rain will begin to come down. In a roadside gutter, you will see a huge green worm being carried by the torrent. Zeema, you are to take hold of this worm and carry it on your back like an infant. On reaching your home, do not greet anyone or say anything."
"Sahn, at your home, cut a young plantain and with this have Zeema cook a saltless and pepperless broth with the worm, which by this time will have changed into a large green lobster on your back. Keep all these rules and in due time, Zeema, you will deliver triplets."
Sahn and Zeema made the long and difficult journey home. Nothing of the words of the Priestess had yet occurred. As they approached their village, Zeema turned to Sahn and said, "If these Oracles would only stop lying to their clients!"
At that moment, she stumbled against the root of a tree and almost got hit on her head with a loose dry branch. Since it was the rainy season, a downpour suddenly began. The rain that fell was enough to drench them to their skin. Zeema was about to jump over a rushing stream when Sahn stopped her.
"Would you step over and leave our babies?"
Zeema looked down and reaching into the water cupped a long green worm. Obediently, she tied it to her back.
Sahn and Zeema arrived in their village and without saying a word to anyone, went straight to their home. Remembering the Oracle, Sahn brought the young plantain and Zeema began to cook her broth. Villagers stood outside their hut wondering why Sahn and Zeema had not responded to their greetings after such a long trip. After a few minutes, they understood that the silence of the couple must have been in accordance to some rule which they had been told to follow. Soon, there gathered a silent band of women and children staring at Zeema as she stirred her pot.
"After cooking her brew for a long while, Zeema tasted the broth as women normally do. The unsavory taste made her add some salt. Seeing this, Sahn reminded her of the Oracle.
"Woman, you have forgotten the words of the Priestess! Well, since you added salt, I might as well add a little pepper!" Sahn loved his broth with pepper. Thus both of them broke the law of the Oracle.
While they were eating the hot broth, Zeema stopped.
"What is wrong woman?"
"I am beginning to feel uneasy, like a woman in the first days of carrying a child."
Then slowly, but quite perceptibly, as women and children watched, the pregnancy of Zeema began to grow. First, her stomach grew beyond the door of their hut. Then it advanced into the village square and finally into the bush. As it advanced, men were called to clear a clean path lest a thorn or stone harm Zeema. For weeks the pregnancy kept moving to the sea. At the end of the ninth month, it stopped on the sands of the ocean.
All hunting was strickly forbidden in the entire area lest a thorn or stone harm Zeema. Nine months passed but still Zeema did not deliver. Men and women wondered what all this could mean. A year passed, then two, three, then seven, and finally eleven! The men of the village kept their faithful vigil in turns along the path which led to the sea with Zeema's pregnancy like a high wall of living flesh.
"Looking at his wife, Sahn shook his head. "I was against this all along!"
Zeema waited patiently, regretting the pinch of salt.
The Quest for Zoe Tae
All the local diviners and midwives were consulted but none could give a clear explanation of what was happening to Zeema. Finally, a pair of twin diviners, consulted by Sahn, told the upset husband that unless he went to the far east again and brought back Zoe Tae, the famous midwife, his own spouse would die in childbirth. Now Zoe Tae was also called Boetehntehn Kohdrugbon, which is descriptive of her tiny feet and huge, oversized round knees.
Sahn again left for the east, this time heading to Kpelle country, the home of Zoe Tae. It took three full days of walking and running before Sahn reached the village of Zoe Tae.
"The matter, Sahn, is an easy one," assured Zoe Tae, "but we are just beginning to prepare the farming implements for the farming season. The axes, hoes, and cutlasses must first be prepared."
Sahn patiently accepted that there would be yet another delay.
For the past year Zoe Tae had collected heaps of scrap iron, enough to fill two huts.
"I am inviting the famous smith Payziobanjey to forge new farming tools." The redoubtable Payziobanjey arrived and for weeks worked at the forge; however, he could not get a single piece of iron red enough to be beaten into a tool.
Next, chimpanzees and gorrilas, nature's strongest bipeds, were invited to work at the bellows. They, too, could do nothing with Zoe Tae's iron scraps.
Soon Zoe Tae approached Sahn.
"My renowned friend. Can you render me your services at the forge since you are known as the finest smith? No one else is able to make me the tools I need for the harvest."
"Let me think about it," Sahn replied.
While Sahn was pondering how he could succeed since Payziobanjey had failed, he fell asleep. In a dream he was approached by an old man.
"Sahn, let me give you some advice. You need the sea breeze to blow the bellows. No human or animal power can make the fire hot enough to forge Zoe Tae's scrap iron into tools."
The next morning Sahn set up the bellows. A powerful sea breeze was sent forth to heat up the fire. Aided by the strong wind, Sahn spent only a week at the forge, blowing and hammering. Soon he finished transforming the two piles of scrap iron into fine farming tools.
Zoe Tae was very pleased. "These tools are excellent, Sahn. You have done wonderful work. However, I cannot leave until my farm is caught."
The 'catching" of a farm meant that several acres of land had to be cleared. Sahn sighed with resignation and agreed to further help Zoe Tae. The farm had to be completely cleared, and since no one would do the work in her absence, it had to be finished at once.
Men were invited from all over the countryside to help clear Zoe Tae's land. "I will leave when my axe handle is carried," exclaimed Zoe Tae. This implied that all the tall trees around the farm also had to be cut down.
Sahn was getting disheartened by all the delay. He could not eat since he was so concerned for his wife's condition. However, he saw that Zoe Tae was determined not to leave until her farming was completed.
Eventually, after weeks of cutting down trees, uprooting stumps, and plowing the fields, the massive work was accomplished. The rice was planted and Sahn was given a feast by Zoe Tae.
"Sahn, take this small pot of sacred water back to Zeema. I will follow you in a few days."
With excitement Sahn rushed back through the forests to his wife trying not to spill the water.
Although Sahn had been away for three months, Zeema was as pregnant as ever. Finally, after running day and night through the thick bush, Sahn arrived back home.
"Dear wife, I have returned with sacred water!"
"It's good to see you, my husband. I was beginning to get worried!"
"Let me sprinkle you with the sacred water of Zoe Tae!"
Sahn tried to annoint Zeema with the sacred water but only managed to spill some of it. While he was clumsily performing his task, Zeema patiently encouraged him.
"Try to get the water on me, Sahn!"
"I'm trying, Zeeraa. If only Zoe Tae would show up!"
The Birth of the Mysterious Triplets
At last Zoe Tae arrived at Geevene's village. Geevene was the name the people gave to Gleypoh, when he came to earth with the first generations of humans to govern them as their King and Father.
The village was his earthly home. Zoe Tae went to Sahn's hut and started to perform some elaborate rites over Zeema's huge body. As Zoe Tae sprinkled the sacred water, there arose from within the pregnant woman sounds similar to warlike drumming or the prancing of warriors preparing for battle. Cries and the swearing of soldiers could be heard as well as yells and the commands of men setting out on the path to battle. All the sounds issued forth from Zeema.
The sacred waters sprinkled over Zeema drew such blinding steam from Zeema that the women attending Sahn's wife fled in all directions leaving only the formidable priestess at her post.
Finally, Zeema began to deliver. First, to come from her body were various animals in pairs: frogs and bats, worms and caterpillars, four-footed creatures and winged ones. Each pair came forth singing, its battle song filling the air with blood-chilling cries. Their words all seemed to have references addressed to the evil one who had taken away Gleypoh's granddaughter Deydju.
Then came forth what seemed to be the first human being. It was a baby boy as large as a drum of oil! No single zoe or midwife could lift the baby to bathe it. Several young women, who had not taken husbands, were called to roll the child as men roll a drum of oil. The young women rolled the baby into the doorless, windowless hut which Zoe Tae had ordered to be built for that purpose.
"Roll the child under the low eaves of the hut," Zoe Tae explained. After they did, the child entered the hut by himself. One of the girls who rolled the baby asked, "What kind of infant might this be?" In response, the terrifying baby responded, "My name is Gehkpaduo, and I'm no ordinary breast-sucking baby!"
This news was taken to Geevene by the notorious Zoe Bohn, the news carrier. She told of the steam that had risen from Zeema's body, reaching to the very skies. She ran back and forth carrying every detail. Geevene, however, seemed to know everything which she told him before she said it.
Two more infants of normal size jumped from their mother like warriors out of a canoe. As the other two babies were born, each announced his name. The next to be born after Gehkpaduo was Zauntoun, which means "the new man," just out of the shop, as it were. The last baby called himself Djukpeega, which means "the dark one."
Although Gehkpaduo had announced his name to the girls, no one seemed to know the meaning of his name. When all the zoes returned to the central Palaver-hut of Geevene's village with the other two infants, they heard the voice of Gehkpaduo from within his hut.
"I'm going for a swim, in the river!"
Everyone knew what the river meant, for it was the most dreaded place for anyone to swim. In the river lived an evil spirit said to have been one of those driven away from Gleypoh with Zio. The evil spirit's presence prevented anyone from fishing or swimming in the river.
With great courage, Gehkpaduo rolled into the river. Almost immediately there was terrible violence in the waters and people on the bank got wet from the spray. Whatever the evil spirit was that dwelled in the river, it quickly took flight. Thereafter, even young children could swim in the calm currents of the river.
Zauntoun and Djukpeega grew quickly into strong young boys. Soon they were to leave for their first adventure to clear a rocky divide in the mountains nearby where Gudungudu the evil wrestler lived. Not only was Gudungudu a vicious giant, but he was also one of Dehvene's lieutenants. Gudungudu served as a guardian left in this pass. Anyone seeking to reach Dehvene first had to wrestle with Gudungudu if he wanted to pass. If Gudungudu knocked anyone to the ground, it meant instant death for the victim, so strong were the arms of the giant. Should someone be able to knock Gudungudu to the ground, such a strong opponent would be acknowledged the victor and could take the life of the giant. Since there was no one in the land strong enough to knock down Gudungudu Tiahkpah Gudu, as he was fully known, the stout guardian of the pass reigned supreme.
The two brothers approached Gudungudu, and Zauntoun challenged the giant.
"Gudungudu, this pass must be open! Either step aside or prepare to fight me!"
The giant could fear&y keep from laughing at the young boy. "You dare to challenge me? Go home to your mother!"
"Perhaps you have forgotten how to fight!" Zauntoun taunted.
As the giant convulsed with laughter, Zauntoun magically put his brother Djukpeega into his walking stick and placed it by a tree. Then with tremendous speed and agility Zauntoun ran around Gudungudu. The giant reached again and again for the boy , but Zauntoun eluded him easily. Just when it seemed as if the giant had the boy cornered, the walking stick would fall and lift itself. This not only distracted Gudungudu but confused and irritated him as well. Exasperated, the giant reached for the stick to break it. As he bent over, Zauntoun pushed him in the rear and the giant fell on his face.
"You have tasted the earth, Gudungudu," proclaimed Zauntoun, "and so, I claim the right of victory over you!" With those words, young Zauntoun's sword sliced off the head of the giant, who was so amazed that he couldn't move. This was but the first obstacle the triplets had to remove as they embarked on the long rescue mission of their sister, the beautiful princess Deydju.
The Long Struggle
On th«^f return from the battle with Gudungudu, the boys told their grandmother Zoe Behdeh that they would like to hear a story. Several nursery tales were told to them by their venerable grandmother. But Zauntoun and Djukpeega were not satisfied for these were not the type of stories they wanted to hear. Zoe Behdeh went on, however, for several evenings of story telling to the consternation of the youths who repeatedly said they wanted to hear "the story."
All the old heads in the village were called to tell what tales they knew, but to all, the boys said, "These are not the tales we want."
With reluctance, Zoe Behdeh sat down one night with the boys. "As you have tricked and killed the giant, Gudungudu, you have shown me that you are no longer just boys but men. You both know that the notorious Wxiwudadju, who is Dehvene, abducted your beautiful sister, Deydju. I shall tell you all the sorrowful details."
After Zauntoun and Djukpeega heard of the deception, they vowed to immediately rescue Deydju.
"I want to come, too!" Gehkpaduo cried out.
"It would be better for you to stay and protect our family!"
"No, Deydju is my sister as well as yours! I want to rescue her!"
"Would you leave your mother and father unprotected?" Zauntoun saw that reasoning was getting him nowhere with his stubborn brother, so he whispered to Djukpeega, "For all of our sakes, he must remain. I shall have to use magic." Turning to Gehkpaduo, Zauntoun said, "Come brother, let me annoint you with my special powder. It will protect you." With those words, Zauntoun sprinkled the magical powder on his brother and immediately Gehkpaduo was turned into a huge wooden doll. "By the time this wears off, we shall be well on our way!" exclaimed Zauntoun.
The two brothers then went forth to do battle with Dehvene and to rescue Deydju. First, they sent their friend Bat to survey the long road that led to Dehvene's hideout. Bat returned quickly to report that although Deydju was alive and well, she was closely guarded by the Ugly One. Of the various creatures surrounding her, none was more awesome than the seven-headed cock.
The first encounters on the road went well. Since Bat told Zauntoun and Djukpeega where the guards were, the young brothers were able to surprise them. Each battle was a success and each victory brought them closer to their sister. Bat was always their swift scout, flying so fast as to nearly be invisible. Bat was also sent back and forth between the fighting brothers and Gehkpaduo, who was once again his old self. While Gehkpaduo wished he were with his brothers, he knew that he was needed at home. However, he sent back with Bat excellent ideas on how to surprise the enemy. On one occasion Zauntoun and Djukpeega were trapped by guards. Bat flew to Gehkpaduo for an idea and returned with a simple deception which turned the trap onto the guards.
Finally, Zauntoun and his brother faced the formidable warrior, Waedezioganwae. Zauntoun felt he could defeat the experienced warrior by himself. He bravely engaged his enemy and the forest rang with the sounds of clashing metal -Zauntoun's sword against Waedezioganwae's huge axe. The powerful warrior proved too knowledgable and with a surprise move, brought the blade of the axe across Zauntoun's shoulder. Zauntoun was unable to duck and the blow cut deeply through his neck, nearly severing the head. Zauntoun fell lifelessly before the warrior's feet. Waedezioganwae turned away and Djukpeega, unable to know what to do, sent a message by Bat to Gehkpaduo.
For days Zauntoun's lifeless body remained in the sun near the stockade of Waedezioganwae, since Djukpeega was unable to reclaim it from the warrior. Back in the village Gehkpaduo thought carefully of what could be done.
After several days of secluded reflection, Gehkpaduo send Bat back with instructions. Bat was told to bring Frog to the scene. Frog was given the information and agreed to help. Waedezioganwae saw Frog approach the dead body but thought nothing of it. Frog stood next to Zauntoun and began to croak the genealogy of the triplets' miraculous descent from the Creator. He told the corpse that this was no mere man. Suddenly, the lifeless limbs of Zauntoun began to move. The severed skin around his neck began to mend and the power of the Creator once more flowed through his body. Taking a deep breath, Zauntoun filled his lungs and stood. Waedezioganwae came to the stockade door to see what caused the sound. When the warrior saw Zauntoun, he was frightened half to death and fled, nearly out of his mind with fear. Djukpeega emerged from the forest and embraced his brother. They were now ready to encounter the Ugly One.
Encountering the Ugly One
Disguised as a female relative of Deydju, Zauntoun arrived at the door of Dehvene's forest home. Since the guards were watching for two brothers, they let the young woman enter without question. Conveniently, Wxiwudadju, the Ugly One had left for the day on a hunting trip. Zauntoun went quickly through the large house until he saw Deydju sitting alone.
"Deydju! I've come to rescue you!"
The Princess stood startled. "A woman has come to rescue me?"
"I wear a disguise. I am your brother Zauntoun. Our brother Djukpeega keeps watch outside." Relieved, Deydju ran to Zauntoun and they embraced. Tears of joy filled their eyes as Zauntoun told her of their parents and their village. Suddenly, the Princess turned her head. "He has returned!"
"Don't worry. I'll leave for now. Stand by the gate tomorrow after Dehvene leaves for his hunt. I'll return and we'll escape!"
He was barely able to speak the last words when Dehvene, the Ugly one, barged into the room.
"Who are you?" he raged.
Zauntoun calmly answered, "I am Deydju's cousin. I missed her so badly as does her father. But every male messenger who is sent does not return."
"You made it here past my guards?"
"I took side paths in the bush for the road was guarded by terrible creatures. Will you treat me kindly after my long journey?"
"I will not kill you, if that is what you mean!" and with those words Dehvene laughed. Zauntoun bowed and left quickly by the gate returning to Djukpeega in the bush.
The following day, as the sun rose, the brothers began their attempt to free their sister. Zauntoun again magically put Djukpeega into a staff and this time, as himself, approached the formidable house. When he came to the gate, the seven-headed cock began to crow, its voice echoing through the forest. Zauntoun struck the heads with his sword to silence them but they were fast and crowed all the louder. Before he cut the final head off, Dehvene had returned.
From behind his huge ears Dehvene drew several animals which he had killed that morning and passed their bodies before his nose. "Humm, humm, humm! I smell a man!" laughed Dehvene.
"Humm, humm, humm! I smell a half-man, half beast, with a huge wart behind his elephant ears!" responded Zauntoun. Dehvene saw that Deydju had come out and stood behind the youth.
"Who is this suckling infant who challenges me in my own home?" asked the enraged Ugly One walking to an open fire. "Come shake my hand over this flame!"
Dehvene stretched his hand through the flame toward his guest. Without hesitation Zauntoun stretched out his right hand in response. With that gesture, Dehvene clasped the hand and held it directly over the flame.
"The power of my gbehguee will hold you firm to burn!" Gbehquee was none other than a evil spirit Dehvene would call upon.
"When a stranger comes to someone's home and greets him, he must be allowed to respond," said Zauntoun. "You must now shake my hand in response to my greeting."
The Ugly One told his gbehguee to release the guest's hand. Stretching his right hand through the flame, Zauntoun asked his host to greet him. "Now gbehguee, hold fast the hand that greets mine!" Dehvene's hand was seized and burned, the flames leaping up to the Ugly One's beard. Finally, Zauntoun ordered the gbehguee to leave him alone.
After this unusual exchange of greetings, both guest and host sat down to business.
"I have come for my sister." Dehvene sat and listened to the youth's words, pondering the power of the young man who had caused his own fire to burn him.
"For a man to take another man's wife, he must be stronger. Deydju is my wife. Are you stronger than me? Meet with me at noon for the challenge of your life!" With those words, Dehvene left the room.
Zauntoun turned to his sister. "Pay no attention to his threats. Pack your things for we will soon be leaving!"
Zauntoun ran back to the bush and spoke to Bat. "Tell Gehkpaduo of our plight. Ask him for assistance." With the speed of light, the Bat flew off. By noon he had to return with help.
Seeing that it was noon, Dehvene came out wearing his great loincloth which contained his secret power. Before him, with his magical staff containing Djukpeega and a sword, stood Zauntoun. Deydju wondered if she had packed her bags for nothing. Would such a young man be able to survive an encounter with the Ugly One?
The battle immediately became fierce but the combatants were evenly matched. Zauntoun used his magical staff again and again to surprise Dehvene and trip him up. The struggle seemed to be endless; neither opponent could get an edge on the other. Blow met powerful counter blow. Metal crashed into metal. All the animals of the forest were filled with fear at the sound. Like thunderbolts exploding in the skies, the swords cried out.
Finally, after a long struggle which had become more of a tug-of-war than anything else, Bat returned knowing the secret of Dehvene and bringing help in the form of a dog called Dounzeh. When Dehvene saw the dog, he knew his secret weakness had been discovered. He turned to flee, but Dounzeh leaped biting the great loincloth. Dounzeh pulled and pulled at the cloth until it gave way. Dehvene, now stripped of his loincloth, was rendered powerless and fled to hide in the sea.
Djukpeega emerged from the staff and with his brother grabbed the loincloth. In triumph they returned with it, with Dounzeh, and with their sister Deydju.
The happy party returned to Geevene's village where Deydju was reunited with her parents Sahn and Zeema. Gehkpaduo embraced his brothers with tears of joy. Deydju's grandmother, the beloved Zoe Behdeh inaugurated the greatest festivities men had ever seen.
While the festivities were at their height, Dehvene suddenly appeared in the village. "I have come for my wife," he cried out. Then, when no one would listen to him, he again spoke. "I have come for my great baonbaon." Without his baonbaon, or loincloth, he was powerless. As he made his pitiful request, the dog Dounzeh came out and again drove Dehvene away. The once awesome Ugly One fled in fear before the growling dog and ran off into the deep forest. Men say he is still trying to get back his wife and his loincloth.
Epilogue
At the height of the festivities, Zauntoun and Djukpeega told their parents that they wanted to settle down and live in peace among their people. However, first they had to have wives. Sahn turned to them, his mind reflecting on his own experience, and said, "You must consult the Oracle. The Priestess who gave me my three sons will provide you with wives."
The next morning Zauntoun and Djukpeega set out for the Oracle. After a long and difficult journey through the forest in the midst of the rainy season, the two brothers arrived. Tired and wet from their travels, they apparently forgot their manners.
"Priestess, I've come for a fine wife," proclaimed Zauntoun, still puffed up from his victory over Dehvene. "Let me have the best you have!"
"Yes, Priestess, and one for me also," asserted Djukpeega, "for I have proven myself, like my brother, a mighty warrior!"
Their rather rude demands angered the Priestess, who thought she might give these "mighty" warriors a lesson of her own. "Come closer then to me, oh powerful warriors. Kneel before me and bow your heads!"
The brothers reluctantly did as she asked, although they were uncomfortable kneeling before a woman. When they finally lowered their heads, the Priestess bashed their heads together a few times.
"This is to teach you boys a lesson! One does not wage war on one's prospective mother-in-law to obtain a wife. Do not treat me as an enemy over whom you can make demands! One must court the favor of a future wife and win the sincere affection of relatives."
Zauntoun and Djukpeega apologized for their rash behavior. Then, following the directions of the Priestess, they paid the customary dowry. In a few days each hero had a lovely, beautiful wife by his side. As the rainy season came to an end, the couples made the long journey back to the village of Geevene, there to have families of their own. As the Priestess watched them walk off in the distance, she knew that their children were to have a special destiny.
Reprinted with permission from the Society of African Missions
Copyright © 1988. The Society of African Missions. No part of this text may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information, storage, and retrieval system without the permission in writing from the publisher. Inquiries should be made in writing to the:
SMA Fathers
23 Bliss Avenue
Tenafly, New Jersey 07670.
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