A home is all we wished for as we travel down different routes seeking refuge in villages we never knew. We sing songs of our fallen ancestors who rides the tides to find riches like pirates, dragging down bag full of loots and Jewelries down their ships. They were nothing compared to dwarfs in height but in riches, even torrin of the kingdom of dwarfs couldn't measure up to their wealth. Such were the glories of men that once lived in our ancestral lands, now nothing is left of them but tales which will be long forgotten has our tribes dwindles in numbers.
We were called many names, the lake people, pirates or mermaids. Any name that seems to give comfort to the mind of ignorant men. Men have always feared what is unknown, it scares them to their core till they are unable to tolerate it existence such was the fate that befell our tribe. We were just just a tribe that enjoys magnificent view of the ocean, never knew what led us here but it never mattered. We built little homes, more like hut around the river bank, riches and wealth matters not as we all lived in Union as a tribe of peace.
Not many understood our culture, as we never took upon ourselves to take up weapons, neither did we ever feel the need to to protect our waters from possible invaders. We gather riches but not for ourselves but as a culture to build up pyramid made with gold. We were never led by a king or queen, it was more of a democratic setting of community Council who considered everyone as equal, putting the needs of the people before anything else. A tribe of pacifist who excluded themselves from the whole world that has grown quite chaotic as result of greedy and ambitious men.
We feasted on mountain of fishes drawn from the ocean, an abundance that never seems to seize. Gradually strange ideas developed among men of authority within the community Council to open up our doors to trade with the outside world as they seem to lack the plentiful of resources that has now gradually become a means of waste in our lands. It was indeed a noble cause, what would be the point of humanity if it weren't to help others in need but little did we know of the greed of men.
They came in with their little carriages and pitiful faces as we opened up our doors to strangers from the outside world,the small river tribe slowly became populated with people with no understanding about our origin and way of life. It brought in development as people might call it, as we started building houses will blocks instead of trees, gradually feeling the need to protect our lives and property as we now have strangers among us who would stop at nothing to snatch away the little belongings we now have.
Some of us held back as much as we could by pushing further into the ocean but that didn't stop the inevitable. Who would have thought ownership of lands will become a thing among our tribe, we never cared about such things. All we cared about was our boat and little hut built around the beach like land post.
Uhn uhmm she stammered a couple of times, she probably needs few minutes to catch her breathe. I whispered, to ensure my grumbling doesn't make it to her ears.
My grandmother is one of the few natives of Epe water side tribe who were driven up to the mainland by developers or should I say development. She never seem to agree to our notion of the need to disregard the old ways traditions not in terms of religion of course but she believed man kind lived in harmony where there was little or nothing to protect.
Every now and then we bring her to experience the gentle breeze of the waves, it might not seem like much but it seems to be the only moment she enjoyed the most. I can still remember her smile as she galavant around the beach as much as she can. Like she could ride the waves if only she had a boat of course. It has been a decade since she passed but few times spent in the beach with her still remains one of my most cherished memories even if I never truly enjoyed the beach. Her tales were magnificent, who wouldn't want hear fairytales about a tribe that has been long forgotten but still remain dear to her heart.
This write-up was inspired by dreemport challenge in collaboration with #ScholarandScribe community.
Cover image - 𝖣𝖾𝗌𝗂𝗀𝗇𝖾𝖽 𝗎𝗌𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖼𝖺𝗇𝗏𝖺
