The Crossing.

Family was everything, I understood that right from the days before we crossed the rivers to the new lands south of us. How did we know where to go? The Edafes had been guided by Osanobulah, so we trusted their leadership. We began the preparation to move, two new yam seasons before and I was not yet with child. The plan was to get to new lands before the next yam season.

Crossing was difficult, we didn't have much possessions, but we had enemies. Other tribes, wrongly assumed that we were bloodthirsty, so they were always on the offensive. Osanobulah gave us the wisdom of Iron, but we knew there was a huge price to pay.

My son was kidnapped right at the river, I quickly went into a trance. The Edion of my clan halted the party, no one was going to cross the river without the child. In my trance, I saw a picture of what my son could become, a fierce warrior who would one day bring the demise of the Uneme, if allowed to live amongst the other tribe. At the end of it, I was shown how this was to be prevented, We had to cross the river without him. No one could understand that command but the Edafe and Edions confirmed it, after days consulting Osanobulah.

As I sit in my house surrounded by my sons and daughters, I remember the days of old. My son who was kidnapped now an Elder of the clan. Family is everything, but even more importantly, it is Osanobulah who holds family together.