Boma yé

The stadium was packed, the shouts of the spectators thundered in the sky. On the field five teams wearing different colors were excitedly approaching the beginning of the hostilities. The Boma yé ceremony had begun.

The number of Konga one possess determine his aptitude along mist usage.

One Konga aptitude can only become a Nganga. Because the first Konga can only stores up to two states.

Two Konga aptitude can choose to become Mbila, the major fighting force of the village, they can stores up to six state.

Three Konga is top notch, those who have three Konga are destined to become the heads of the village and extremely wealthy, everyone wants to befriend them… they can store 14 states in total.

And now the village has 4 youths with 3 Konga aptitude.

What does this mean ?

This means that if they are given enough time, they can form groups and explore the Mozambi mountain in search for some maqala well or mines.

Maqala is a material extremely important in the three villages, it is used to create weapons or sturdy material for architectural purposes but it is also a currency.

Let's go 4 days before the ceremony…

Mama Bololo's nganda always had an atmosphere punctuated by the laughter of the men, the sound of the tams tams and other drums as well as the voice of the female singers who animated her daily audience.

All this seemed to create a thunderous din. Nevertheless, for everyone here it was the routine. Liquor passed around, people got drunk while telling the latest gossip.

When Malamu entered the Nganda, there were shouts and applause. He was the child of the neighborhood, he was its pride. Everyone here was waiting for the Boma yé to take place like a world cup final. The mbilas were the heroes of the village, the children wanted to be like them, the young people imitated their fashion style and the old people all tried to link their daughters with them while young girls had their paintings in their bedroom dreaming to get one day married to one of them.

Every now and then someone in the Nganda would wish him luck or tell him that they had bet their house on him.

Mama Bololo came to welcome Malamu herself. She was a mature lady who had made her fortune selling liquor and running the most popular bar in the village. Her Nganda was the meeting place for all the party-goer and people who wanted to relax after a long hard week.

She took him to the VIP area. Malamu's Aba was waiting for him in front of a bay window that looked out to the street.

Malamu had a little secret. He only possessed one Konga. Normal being a Nganga would've been the upmost he could've achieved in his life.

When his Aba decided to bet on him, everyone told him it was folly.

Why bet on a mist user who has only one Konga?

Malamu's Aba name was Matsouma meaning the martyr. He was the first to create a private expedition for mining the maqala on the Mozambi mountain and had been quite successful at it. He is the most wealthiest man in the village, a brillant maqala industrialist who takes pride in taking the most non orthodox bets. Having bet on himself since he was young he now owned a maqala well and some quarries.

"Hello petit na ngayi, sit down." Matsouma told Malamu

With reverence Malamu complied.

"In 4 days it's the Boma yé ceremony, even if you only have one Konga which is a weak aptitude, for me you have a lot of potential and you can even become a little Ngobi." Matsouma said.

Ngobi was the leader of one the two other villages. He had immense feats in the past crisis 32 years ago. Not only his strength but his diplomatic skills was all legendary.

' Without him I wouldn't have the opportunity to rise steadily as I did all these years. He sponsored me and gave me huge privileges, I owe him a lot. I have to be on my top game in the upcoming ceremony, especially since the other have better aptitude than me. But I am intelligent, and my usage of the mist is unorthodox. I have to be on the offensive and control the game from the start.' Malamu was thinking.

Matsouma was one of the few who really believed in him, he had paid for his tuition fees, equipment, items etc. Even when Malamu asked him to bring his buddy on the team he didn't say no and extended his sponsoring to Malamu's best friend too.

They started talking for a while about life and all. Then.

"Don't try to win at the Boma yé ceremony, Malamu" Matsouma said.

Malamu had an ugly expression that he quickly hide.

"I want you to have a support role for one of the youngster in the ceremony, Dombi." Matsouma continued

'What !? he wants me to be in the back and let the other take all the light ?'

Malamu was lost in his thoughts when the voice of the master of the ceremony echoed in the stadium.

"Are you ready for the Boma yé!!!!" The master of the ceremony said in a very entertaining voice.

The crowd answered with a big cheer.

Malamu had his eyes on one of the youngster, his name was Dombi, the grandson of the current head of the village. He had an ugly expression looking at him.

Malamu's family and friends had all been invited in the stadium where VIP were. They sat across other important people of the village. Matsouma was talking from time to time with Malamu mother or discussing with Malamu friends about how the match would look like.

Malamu was really affected, he carried the flower offered by Fololo on his hair. He didn't want to disappoint people who believed in him, but he knew also that Matsouma's sponsoring was really important, not only his money but his network also.

He had to make a decision.