Ayana ducked when one of the warriors caught her peeking. She had climbed up the Dukan mountain just to catch a glimpse of the admirable warriors doing what they looked best at-training. She shunned the little firefly that was buzzing in her face. Ayana wondered why a firefly had been following her around all week in the dry season. She shrugged the thought.
Every day, Ayana didn't mind making the tiresome trip up the mountain. She would hide amongst the patches of shrubs as she took in the spectacle of what the warriors were. Ayana traced with her eyes how they swayed their weapons with firm muscles. She loved the beads of sweat that caressed their faces and shiny tanned arms. Ayana lived for the way the warriors descended the mountain in assembly with their totems in arms, chanting warrior songs.
Ayana wanted so badly to be a Warrior. She wanted to be a part of that group. She would give anything to feel the fire she saw surge through every one of them in her bones too. Ayana closed her eyes and began to immerse herself in the moment. Soon her mind began to drift back to her reality.
Ayana was only a warrior at heart. No matter how much she wanted to be one, she lacked the courage, and totem to be one. Every warrior in the clan had their totem passed on from generation to generation through a sacred ritual. Ayana’s mother, Liyana was a warrior but like Liyana, Ayana had lost her mother at a tender age. She had no inkling as to how her mother got her totem.
“Boo! Are we playing peek-a-boo now?” one warrior crept in from behind Ayana.
“Nah. I believe she is searching for a totem in the bushes.” Another warrior joined, letting out a sigh. They both laughed and teased Ayana.
“I'll find a totem and I'll make the group. I'll be a warrior. You'll see.” Ayana blurted out. Quickly, she made her way running down the mountain.
The mountain was the sacred place of the Dukan warriors. The Dukans were a community of people surrounded by ancient caves. Each clan in the tribe had an ancestral cave and only the females of the clan were allowed to be warriors. They were the most fearsome protectors of the land. They fought wars and conquered territories.
That evening, Ayana’s thoughts went on a spiral. She was now alone in her parent's hut. She tossed and turned in bed. The teasing from earlier made her insides hurt. Ayana was vexed and sad at the same time. She even pitied herself.
Ayana got out of bed and ran to her backyard where she often tried to train like the warriors. She picked up a spear and began wielding it in the air. She then brought the spear to eye level and targeted a nearby tree. Before Ayana could throw the spear, a firefly came blinding her eyes. Ayana could now clearly see the fly that emanated yellow light in front of her. It paused for a moment then began fluttering as if communicating with her.
Then it began to fly away. Ayana followed closely. Her anguish and sadness were now replaced by delight. Something inside of her had erupted. Ayana sensed something out of the ordinary happening. As the firefly led the way, Ayana found herself standing in front of her ancestral cave. The cave housed images of her lineage imprinted on its walls. She seldom went in there because she didn't feel connected to her lineage. Losing most of her family at a very tender age made it harder for her. She swallowed hard and then followed the firefly into the cave.
Inside was pitch black. Ayana could only see the yellow flickers from the firefly. She watched as it perched on the imprints on the wall. Just like that, yellow light followed through a straight line across all the imprints. Ayana could now see the impressions of her mother and two generations before illuminated in yellow light. She was surrounded by something so surreal and she loved it.
Ayana thought that she'd feel sad being in there but she was surprised at her emotions. She still felt thrilled and curious about the experience she was having. She was eager to see where the moment of enchantment was going.
Suddenly, the illuminated outline of her mother materialized from the wall followed by her grandmother and great-grandmother. Ayana was ecstatic. She held her mouth in her hands.
“Ayana, you are not alone. When you step into a land, you do not stand alone. When you speak, all the voices of the women before you echo. We come from a great line of warriors. It is who you are.” The three women spoke to Ayana in unison.
Now more than ever, Ayana was filled with a kind of euphoria she could not explain. The three women smiled at Ayana as they approached her in a single file. Like a mild gush of wind, the women slowly dematerialized into flickering lights that surged through Ayana. In her hand was now the biggest totem she had ever seen. It looked so powerful with a blazing light on its crown.
“Go!” Ayana heard whispers. She ventured outside the cave straight to the mountaintop. There, the warriors stood training. They all halted abruptly when Anaya emerged holding the biggest totem they had ever seen. Ayana, exuding so much confidence, strength, and grace became a sight to behold.
The warriors needed no explanations. Ayana had earned the highest place within the tribe of warriors. They made a circle around her and bowed their heads. A gesture accorded to only the warrior leader.
The women began chanting. Their chests throbbed and reverberated to the chorus they were singing. Together, they placed their totems to form a pyramid. Like a fire surging through each one of them, a wave of yellow light rocketed from their totems through the sky and showered yellow dust on them.
