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A Legend of the Before People, of Atelani, the First Female Chief

Tok tok tok tok tok… The beat of the small log drum was steady and monotonous, perfect for shaman’s work. Kataku took pride in his new vocation as Kohu’s assistant, but today he was especially conscientious. For Kohu was undergoing a spirit journey on behalf of Elahu, who had finally decided to seek help for whatever was oppressing him.

Kataku knew that Elahu was wary of spiritcraft. However, following a conversation with Atelani, he was now willing to ask the shaman’s aid. It was good, Kataku thought. He doubted that anyone else could have persuaded Elahu to speak of his troubles. By her own admission, Atelani was “only a village doe,” yet she was proving to be a worthy chief.

Elahu had been visibly nervous at first. But a few light comments, a few puffs of Kohu’s dream smoke, and Kataku’s steady drumming had put him at ease. Elahu now lay on the earth, seemingly asleep. As for Kohu, the shaman was clearly elsewhere, or at least his spirit was. The gods alone knew where he traveled.

Kataku beat the drum without faltering. As he did so, the seated shaman swayed back and forth, chanting in a low and unintelligible voice. It was mysterious and even unsettling work, but Kataku felt the good intention in it. Each time he drummed for Kohu, the medicine path became a little easier to walk.

Kataku had faith in Kohu. He knew that somewhere, in some world, there would be a cure for Elahu’s woes. What, he wondered, would it entail?

Description

A Legend of the Before People, of Atelani, the First Female Chief

Tok tok tok tok tok… The beat of the small log drum was steady and monotonous, perfect for shaman’s work. Kataku took pride in his new vocation as Kohu’s assistant, but today he was especially conscientious. For Kohu was undergoing a spirit journey on behalf of Elahu, who had finally decided to seek help for whatever was oppressing him.

Kataku knew that Elahu was wary of spiritcraft. However, following a conversation with Atelani, he was now willing to ask the shaman’s aid. It was good, Kataku thought. He doubted that anyone else could have persuaded Elahu to speak of his troubles. By her own admission, Atelani was “only a village doe,” yet she was proving to be a worthy chief.

Elahu had been visibly nervous at first. But a few light comments, a few puffs of Kohu’s dream smoke, and Kataku’s steady drumming had put him at ease. Elahu now lay on the earth, seemingly asleep. As for Kohu, the shaman was clearly elsewhere, or at least his spirit was. The gods alone knew where he traveled.

Kataku beat the drum without faltering. As he did so, the seated shaman swayed back and forth, chanting in a low and unintelligible voice. It was mysterious and even unsettling work, but Kataku felt the good intention in it. Each time he drummed for Kohu, the medicine path became a little easier to walk.

Kataku had faith in Kohu. He knew that somewhere, in some world, there would be a cure for Elahu’s woes. What, he wondered, would it entail?