And the man simply known by his kin & folk as
'Kurutya' meaning 'War-lord' rallied all who were around him in a wide space in
front of his 'Ate' (hut).
This gathering was not only symbolic to the
traditions of the Tiv people where elders would call for family meetings to
look into vital issues that were bothering them, but also significant
considering the menace that was tormenting the Tiv nation.
In a voice that was not peculiar to a man of his
staus and rank (yes he was a warlord but had the voice of the gentlest of
Lovers), he addressed them;
"We have
over the years watched in silence the systematic destruction of our dear nation
by these spineless lot, The Fulanis" he watched their faces and allowed
his opening lines to sink before progressing;
"Back in
time my kind had stopped their Father figure Uthman Dan Fodio, when he tried to
cross our borders! Back in time too their Queen mother Amina, was stopped also
by my kind when she embarked on her quest mission!" Their countenances,
now of mixed emotions and that of pain due to their bereavement and also
excitement from the Kurutya's solemn words began to reflect in their faces and
entire bodies.
He continued; "You and I in our day, can't be
different from our kind who stopped Dan Fodio and Amina. We can also stop their
progenitors, same way our fathers stopped their fathers..."
"YES" interrupted the flow of his words but he
continued;
"Let every man, husband or son, talk to his
conscience and let him go inside his hut and wear back the warrior-nature of a
Tiv man. Let him bring out his Quiver of Arrows & Bow, if he has a Gun let
him bring it as well. It's time to go back to History, it's time to set things
right; no more waiting, no more negotiating, no more relying on the unperturbed
government. Let all the woman, mother and daughter, go into the farms and
harvest enough food to last for seven market days; let them gather all the
children and take them in, let them stay in their hideouts until they hear the
victory songs of their men! We are going to war!"
"YES! YES! TO WAR!" the crowed
thundered...
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