Scene 9 

nthona-A fruit similar to a strawberry. 

The lighting of the stage is very dim. Wamaka is roasting a Nkhwali on a makeshift fire. Yalenga is eating nthona . Nightfall, sounds of small creatures crawling to their holes can be heard.

Yal: How long till Kaulimi?

Wam: If we move at the pace we took today, it should be a day.

A young man with a big bundle walks towards the girls. He is well-built. He is wearing a zebra’s skin.

Tumpale: Excuse me. I’m lost. Im going to Chilumba. I have been going in circles for suns.

Wam: We are going the other direction we can’t help… (turns to face the stranger) Tumpale!

Tumpale: Wamaka? Is that really you? (Looking shocked)

Wam: Yes it is. You’ve grown.

Tumpale: It’s been long.

He sits down.

Tumpale: Where have you been all these years? We all thought you were dead.

Wam: After I ran away, I was found by a warrior from Kaulimi. She took me with her to Kaulimi.

Tumpale: That place is real I thought it was a myth.

Wam: Yes. They are good people. It’s become my home.

Tumpale: After Wakisa was killed, everyone thought that you had gone into the forest and killed yourself or got killed.

Wam: Oh this is Yalenga, she is from Nkhamanga. She is coming with me to Kaulimi. Yalenga this is an old friend from Misuku hills.

Tumpale: Nkhamanga huh? Im returning from there, I went to trade in tools. (looking at Yalenga) Your people are good craftsmen.

Yalenga smiles.

Wam: Really? What tools?

Tumpale: Pangas, hoes and some spears.

Wam: Could you give us a spear.

Tumpale: Of course. (Gives her a spear)

Wam: Why are you going to Chilumba? Is that another trading centre?

Tum: No. I no longer live in Misuku.

Wam: Why?

Tumpale: After Wakisa’s death, home never felt like home again. Everything there reminded me of him, and seeing Mwenemsuku live and breathe while Wakisa lay in the dust drove me mad with thoughts of revenge so I left. I settled in Iringa. Now I’m a trader.

Wam: Wait did you go to travel alone?

Tumpale: I went with five men but we crossed into maviti territory and they killed my men and stole most of the merchandise. (Looks down) I’m the only one who survived.

Wam: Oh.

Tumpale: I didn’t know that territory of Nkhamanga had been taken over by the Maviti. Otherwise I wouldn’t have taken my men into there. Your companion is asleep already.

Wam: She is a tired one not accustomed to travel. So you are lost?

Tumpale: No I’m not. I just said that so you would offer me some food I haven’t been able to catch any food today.

Wam (chuckles): You are truly Wakisa’s blood. (Cuts the bird into two and gives him a piece.)

Tumpale: What about her?

Wam: She doesn’t eat meat.

Wamaka and Tumpale chew the meat.

Tumpale: Do you still think of him? Wakisa I mean.

Wamaka: Yes. When it just happened, every day, every time I laughed I thought of him. So I stopped laughing, smiling…living. I was inconsolable; I spent my nights crying and when I slept I dreamt of the moment they stabbed his heart. It was like I had died too. But the women around me would not let me kill myself with grief. Their comfort and company watered my dying soul. Slowly I awoke. I found myself smiling again but laughter is still rare. What about you?

Tumpale: I don’t think of him as much as I used to. But I still miss him a lot. Some days are harder than others but pain is loosening its grip on me slowly.

Wam: This girl here, the Maviti killed her entire family and yet she still wants to live. She still laughs and smiles. It surprises me.

Tumpale: Some bear grief better than others. (Tosses the bone of the bird into the fire) Wamaka your family thinks you are dead. If you ever can, you should visit them so they know you are alive and well.

Wamaka makes no response. They both fall asleep. Lights go off.

Creator's Note

So what do you think of Wamaka's full backstory/

who do you think is stronger? Sangwani or Wamaka? and why?

do you think that Sangwani bears grief better than wamaka?

I am sorry I posted a single scene.

also I wrote this play as part of classwork.