Three Fables

Abstract

special section Native Lit How African Spirits Were Born O nce upon a time, there was a strong, wise emperor named Mersò, who ruled over the most powerful empire in Africa. When old age came knocking at his door, he summoned his firstborn son, who was his designated heir, and told him: “Miren, my son, hear me. I have nourished my body long enough and now wish to make my peace with God and tend to my soul. The art of governing and the sense of responsibility it has imparted me tells me you are not suited to the wielding of power and that it would be best if your younger brother Gemel ruled in your stead.” “But this is absurd!” Miren exclaimed. “I’m your firstborn, how could you possibly crown him instead of me?” His father replied: “Have you thought this through? And considered the consequences?” “Yes!” his son answered. “If you don’t honor my wishes, it’ll mean there’s no justice in this empire.” “So be it,” his father concluded. “As such, I will divide the empire between you.” Three Fables Ribka Sibhatu Translator’s note: Eritrean literature has been handed down through the generations in the form of aulòs, the Tigrinya term for bardic songs that are performed at public and private celebrations as well as during religious rites. Performers always begin their tales by invoking the word Şïnşïwai, which roughly means, “I have a story to tell,” to which the audience replies, Uāddëkoi şęlimai, “We’re ready, we’re listening.” Ribka Sibhatu learned her craft in Asmara and Hemberti, her ancestral village in the high plateau, where these stories can be traced back for centuries. “How African Spirits Were Born,” the first fable in this selection, is popularly believed to be based on actual events and is thus performed without the usual introductory formula. Eritrean tradition holds that spirits embody human forms and can be both malign and benign; for instance, the latter are thought to reside in pools of water, where people bathe in order to purify themselves and cure their illnesses. To this day, many claim to have seen spirits wandering through their homes or their villages, which explains why many are afraid to walk alone, especially at night, lest they fall victim to spirits less kindly inclined. illustration : dimitry ezhov September–October 2014 • 41 42 worldliteraturetoday.org Emperor Mersò thus carved the empire between his sons and retired from public life to lead a hermit’s existence. Far removed from royal pomp, he spent many years devoted to prayer and dined solely on herbs, roots, and wild berries : all in the quest to tend to his soul. However, Miren harbored great anger and resentment. Finally overwhelmed by it, he decided to kill his brother and thus be recognized as the sole, undisputed ruler of the empire! He paid Gemel a visit and told him: “Brother!” “Tell me,” Gemel replied. “I am the eldest!” “That you are . . .” “As such, I should have inherited the entirety of the empire, but our father insisted on dividing it. However, it’s time to rectify this: I want to kill you and seize all power for myself. Nevertheless , I don’t ever want anyone to say I won it through subterfuge, and so prepare yourself for war. I’m coming for you.” Even though he now lived in the forest, the heavenly messengers warned the old emperor about what was about to happen in his lands. The emperor therefore decided to visit his sons. Once he’d arrived, he told them: “My sons.” “Tell us,” they said. “What do you lack? Why are you fighting? I settled this matter before leaving you, and now I’ve returned to broker a peace!” “I have no wish to settle!” Miren exclaimed. “Your solution meant there could never be peace! I should have been the sole ruler, but you forced me to share it with your son.” “Is that your final judgment?” his father asked. “It is!” “You wish to wield power alone?” “I do!” “Will you be able to handle it?” “Of course, why wouldn’t I? What does he have that I...