The Story of the Hero Makóma

Once upon a time a child was born in the town of Senna, on the banks of the Zambesi.Once upon a time, at the town of Senna on the banks of the Zambesi, was born a child. He was not like other children, for he was very tall and strong. Over his shoulder he carried a big sack, and in his hand an iron hammer.for he was very tall and strong; over his shoulder he carried a big sack, and in his hand an iron hammer. He could also speak like a grown man, but usually he was very silent.

One day his mother said to him: ‘My child, what name shall we call you?by what name shall we know you?’

And he answered: ‘Call all the leadersCall all the head men of Senna here to the river’s bank.’ His mother called the leaders of the town. When they had come, he led them down to a deep black pool in the river where all the fierce crocodiles lived.And his mother called the head men of the town, and when they had come he led them down to a deep black pool in the river where all the fierce crocodiles lived.

‘O great men!’ he said, while they all listened, ‘which of you will leap into the pool and overcome the crocodiles?’ But no one would come forward. So he turned and sprang into the water and disappeared.

The people held their breath, for they thought: ‘Surely the boy is bewitched and throws away his life, for the crocodiles will eat him!’ Then suddenly the ground trembled. The pool heaved and swirled with signs of a fierce struggle. Soon the boy rose to the surface and swam ashore.Then suddenly the ground trembled, and the pool, heaving and swirling, became red with blood, and presently the boy rising to the surface swam on shore.Explanation: Makóma still kills the crocodiles. The image of the pool turning red with blood is softened for children in the modernized version.

But he was no longer just a boy! He was stronger than any man and very tall and handsome, so the people shouted with joy when they saw him.so that the people shouted with gladness when they saw him.

‘Now, O my people!’ he cried waving his hand, ‘you know my name—I am Makóma, “the Greater”; for have I not killedslain the crocodiles in the pool where no one dared to gonone would venture?’

Then he said to his mother: ‘Rest gently, my mother, for I am going to make a home for myselffor I go to make a home for myself and become a hero.’ Then he entered his hut and took Nu-éndo, his iron hammer. Throwing the sack over his shoulder, he went away.Then, entering his hut, he took Nu-éndo, his iron hammer, and throwing the sack over his shoulder, he went away.

Makóma crossed the Zambesi. For many moons he wandered towards the north and west until he came to a very hilly country. There, one day, he met a huge giant making mountains., and for many moons he wandered towards the north and west until he came to a very hilly country where, one day, he met a huge giant making mountains.

‘Greetings,Greeting,’ shouted Makóma, ‘who are you?’

‘I am Chi-éswa-mapíri, who makes the mountains,’ answered the giant, ‘and who are you?’

‘I am Makóma, which meanswhich signifies “greater,”’ he answeredanswered he.

‘Greater than who?’ asked the giant.

‘Greater than you!’ answered Makóma.

The giant gave a roar and rushed upon him. Makóma said nothing. He swung his great hammer, Nu-éndo, and struck the giant on the head.Makóma said nothing, but swinging his great hammer, Nu-éndo, he struck the giant upon the head.

The blow was so hard that the giant shrank into a very little man, who fell on his knees saying:He struck him so hard a blow that the giant shrank into quite a little man, who fell upon his knees saying: ‘You are indeed greater than I, O Makóma; take me with you to be your slave!’ So Makóma picked him up and dropped him into the sack that he carried upon his back.

He was greater than ever now, for all the giant’s strength had gone into him. He continued his journey, carrying his load as easily as an eagle might carry a hare.He was greater than ever now, for all the giant’s strength had gone into him; and he resumed his journey, carrying his burden with as little difficulty as an eagle might carry a hare.

Before long he came to a country covered with huge stones and immense lumps of earth.a country broken up with huge stones and immense clods of earth. Looking over one of the heaps, he saw a giant wrapped in dust. The giant was pulling out the very earth and hurling handfuls to either side of him.Looking over one of the heaps he saw a giant wrapped in dust dragging out the very earth and hurling it in handfuls on either side of him.

‘Who are you,’ cried Makóma, ‘that pulls up the earth in this way?’

‘I am Chi-dúbula-táka,’ said he, ‘and I am making the river-beds.’

‘Do you know who I am?’ said Makóma. ‘I am the one calledI am he that is called “greater”!’

‘Greater than who?’ thundered the giant.

‘Greater than you!’ answered Makóma.

With a shout, Chi-dúbula-táka seized a great lump of earth and hurled itseized a great clod of earth and launched it at Makóma. But the hero held his sack over his left arm, and the stones and earth fell harmlessly on it. Gripping his iron hammer tightly, he rushed in and struck the giant to the ground.But the hero had his sack held over his left arm and the stones and earth fell harmlessly upon it, and, tightly gripping his iron hammer, he rushed in and struck the giant to the ground. Chi-dúbula-táka grovelled before him, growing smaller and smaller all the while. When he had become small enough, Makóma picked him up and put him into the sack beside Chi-éswa-mapíri.Chi-dúbula-táka grovelled before him, all the while growing smaller and smaller; and when he had become a convenient size Makóma picked him up and put him into the sack beside Chi-éswa-mapíri.

He went on his way even greater than before, as all the river-maker’s power had become his. At last he came to a forest of baobabs and thorn trees.He went on his way even greater than before, as all the river-maker’s power had become his; and at last he came to a forest of bao-babs and thorn trees. He was astonished at their size, for every tree was fully grown and larger than any he had ever seen. Close by he saw Chi-gwísa-míti, the giant who was planting the forest.He was astonished at their size, for every one was full grown and larger than any trees he had ever seen, and close by he saw Chi-gwísa-míti, the giant who was planting the forest.

Chi-gwísa-míti was taller than either of his brothers, but Makóma was not afraid and called out to him: ‘Who are you, O Big One?’

‘I,’ said the giant, ‘am Chi-gwísa-míti, and I am planting these baobabsbao-babs and thorns as food for my children the elephants.’

‘Stop!Leave off!’ shouted the hero, ‘for I am Makóma, and would like to trade blows with you!would like to exchange a blow with thee!’

The giant pulled a huge baobab up by the roots and struck hard at Makóma. But the hero sprang aside. As the weapon sank deep into the soft earth, he whirled Nu-éndo the hammer round his head and knocked the giant down with one blow.The giant, plucking up a monster bao-bab by the roots, struck heavily at Makóma; but the hero sprang aside, and as the weapon sank deep into the soft earth, whirled Nu-éndo the hammer round his head and felled the giant with one blow.

The blow was so terrible that Chi-gwísa-míti shrivelled up as the other giants had done. When he had caught his breath, he begged Makóma to take him as his servant.So terrible was the stroke that Chi-gwísa-míti shrivelled up as the other giants had done; and when he had got back his breath he begged Makóma to take him as his servant. ‘For,’ said he, ‘it is honourable to serve a man so great as youas thou.’

After placing him in his sack, Makóma continued his journey. He travelled for many days until he reached a country so barren and rocky that not a single living thing grew on it. Everywhere was bleak and empty.Makóma, after placing him in his sack, proceeded upon his journey, and travelling for many days he at last reached a country so barren and rocky that not a single living thing grew upon it—everywhere reigned grim desolation. And in the midst of this dead region he found a man eating fire.

‘What are you doing?’ demanded Makóma.

‘I am eating fire,’ answered the man, laughing; ‘and my name is Chi-ídea-móto, for I am the flame-spirit, and can lay waste to and destroy whatever I likecan waste and destroy what I like.’

‘You are wrong,’ said Makóma; ‘for I am Makóma, who is “greater” than you—and you cannot destroy me!’

The fire-eater laughed again, and blew a flame at Makóma. But the hero sprang behind a rock—just in time, for the heat of the flame-spirit’s breath had turned the ground where he had been standing to molten glass, like an overbaked pot.for the ground upon which he had been standing was turned to molten glass, like an overbaked pot, by the heat of the flame-spirit’s breath.

Then the hero flung his iron hammer at Chi-ídea-móto. It struck him and knocked him helpless. So Makóma placed him in the sack, Woro-nówu, with the other great men he had defeated.Then the hero flung his iron hammer at Chi-ídea-móto, and, striking him, it knocked him helpless; so Makóma placed him in the sack, Woro-nówu, with the other great men that he had overcome.

And now, truly, Makóma was a very great hero. He had the strength to make hills and the energy for the hard work of leading rivers over dry wastelands. He had foresight and wisdom in planting trees, and the power to produce fire when he wished.And now, truly, Makóma was a very great hero; for he had the strength to make hills, the industry to lead rivers over dry wastes, foresight and wisdom in planting trees, and the power of producing fire when he wished.

Wandering on, he arrived one day at a great plain with plenty of water and wild animals. In the very middle, close to a large river, was a grassy spot, a very pleasant place to make a home.Wandering on he arrived one day at a great plain, well watered and full of game; and in the very middle of it, close to a large river, was a grassy spot, very pleasant to make a home upon.

Makóma was so delighted with the little meadow that he sat down under a large tree. He took the sack from his shoulder, brought out all the giants and set them before him.Makóma was so delighted with the little meadow that he sat down under a large tree, and removing the sack from his shoulder, took out all the giants and set them before him. ‘My friends,’ said he, ‘I have travelled far and am weary. Is this not a suitable place for a hero’s home? Let us go tomorrow to bring in timber to make a kraal, a home with one or more huts.Is not this such a place as would suit a hero for his home? Let us then go, to-morrow, to bring in timber to make a kraal.Explanation: Here a kraal is a homestead with one or more huts. The word can also mean an enclosure for animals, but Makóma wants to make a home here.’

So the next day Makóma and the giants set out to get poles to build the kraal. They left only Chi-éswa-mapíri to look after the place and cook some venison, meat from wild animals they had killed.So the next day Makóma and the giants set out to get poles to build the kraal, leaving only Chi-éswa-mapíri to look after the place and cook some venison which they had killed. In the evening, when they returned, they found the giant helpless and tied to a tree by one enormous hair!

‘How is it,’ said Makóma, astonished, ‘that we find you tied up like thisthus bound and helpless?’

‘O Chief,’ answered Chi-éswa-mapíri, ‘at midday a man came out of the river; he was immensely tall, and his grey moustaches were so long that I could not see where they ended!he was of immense stature, and his grey moustaches were of such length that I could not see where they ended! He demandedHe demanded of me “Who is your masterthy master?” And I answered: “Makóma, the greatest of heroes.” Then the man seized me, and pulling a hair from his moustache, tied me to this tree—just as you see meeven as you see me.’

Makóma was very angrywroth, but he said nothing. He drew his fingernail across the hair, which was as thick and strong as rope made from palm fibres. He cut it and set the mountain-maker free.but he said nothing, and drawing his finger-nail across the hair (which was as thick and strong as palm rope) cut it, and set free the mountain-maker.

On the three following days exactly the same thing happened, only each time with a different member of the group. On the fourth day Makóma stayed in camp when the others went to cut poles. He said he would see for himself what sort of man lived in the river, with moustaches so long that they stretched beyond sight.The three following days exactly the same thing happened, only each time with a different one of the party; and on the fourth day Makóma stayed in camp when the others went to cut poles, saying that he would see for himself what sort of man this was that lived in the river and whose moustaches were so long that they extended beyond men’s sight.

So when the giants had gone, he swept and tidied the camp and put some venison on the fire to roast. At midday, when the sun was right overhead, he heard a rumbling noise from the river. He looked up and saw the head and shoulders of an enormous man emerging from it.So when the giants had gone he swept and tidied the camp and put some venison on the fire to roast. At midday, when the sun was right overhead, he heard a rumbling noise from the river, and looking up he saw the head and shoulders of an enormous man emerging from it. And behold! The giant’s grey moustaches stretched right down the river-bed and up the river-bed, until they faded into the blue distance!And behold! right down the river-bed and up the river-bed, till they faded into the blue distance, stretched the giant’s grey moustaches!

‘Who are you?’ bellowed the giant, as soon as he was out of the water.

‘I am the one calledI am he that is called Makóma,’ answered the hero; ‘and, before I kill youbefore I slay thee, tell me also what your name is and what you dowhat is thy name and what thou doest in the river?’

‘My name is Chin-débou Máu-giri,’ said the giant. ‘My home is in the river, for my moustache is the grey fever-mist that hangs above the water. I use it to bind all those who come to me so that they die., and with which I bind all those that come unto me so that they die.’

‘You cannot tie me up!You cannot bind me!’ shouted Makóma, rushing upon him and striking with his hammer. But the river giant was so slimy that the blow slid harmlessly off his green chest. As Makóma stumbled and tried to regain his balance, the giant swung one of his long hairs around him and tripped him up.But the river giant was so slimy that the blow slid harmlessly off his green chest, and as Makóma stumbled and tried to regain his balance, the giant swung one of his long hairs around him and tripped him up.

For a moment Makóma was helpless, but he remembered the flame-spirit’s power that had entered into him. He breathed a fiery breath on the giant’s hair and cut himself free.but remembering the power of the flame-spirit which had entered into him, he breathed a fiery breath upon the giant’s hair and cut himself free.

As Chin-débou Máu-giri leaned forward to seize him, the hero flung his sack Woro-nówu over the giant’s slippery head. Gripping his iron hammer, he struck again. This time the blow landed on the dry sack, and Chin-débou Máu-giri fell dead.As Chin-débou Máu-giri leaned forward to seize him the hero flung his sack Woro-nówu over the giant’s slippery head, and gripping his iron hammer, struck him again; this time the blow alighted upon the dry sack and Chin-débou Máu-giri fell dead.

When the four giants returned at sunset with the poles, they rejoiced to find that Makóma had defeated the fever-spirit. They feasted on the roast venison until far into the night. But when they awoke in the morning, Makóma was already warming his hands at the fire, and his face was gloomy.When the four giants returned at sunset with the poles they rejoiced to find that Makóma had overcome the fever-spirit, and they feasted on the roast venison till far into the night; but in the morning, when they awoke, Makóma was already warming his hands at the fire, and his face was gloomy.

‘In the darkness of the night, O my friends,’ he said presently, ‘the white spirits of my ancestorsthe white spirits of my fathers came to mecame unto me and spoke, saying: “Leave this placeGet thee hence, Makóma, for you will have no rest until you have foundthou shalt have no rest until thou hast found and fought with Sákatirína, who has five heads, and is very great and strong. So say goodbye to your friends, for you must go alone.and is very great and strong; so take leave of thy friends, for thou must go alone.”’

Then the giants were very sad and mourned the loss of their hero. But Makóma comforted them and gave each one back the gifts he had taken from them. Then he said ‘Farewell’ to them and went on his way.Then the giants were very sad, and bewailed the loss of their hero; but Makóma comforted them, and gave back to each the gifts he had taken from them. Then bidding them ‘Farewell,’ he went on his way.

Makóma travelled far towards the west, over rough mountains and waterlogged swamps. He waded across deep rivers and trudged for days across dry deserts where most men would have died. At last he arrived at a hut near some large peaks. Inside were two beautiful women.Makóma travelled far towards the west; over rough mountains and water-logged morasses, fording deep rivers, and tramping for days across dry deserts where most men would have died, until at length he arrived at a hut standing near some large peaks, and inside the hut were two beautiful women.

‘Greetings!Greeting!’ said the hero. ‘Is this the country of Sákatirína of five heads, whom I am looking forwhom I am seeking?’

‘We greet you, O Great One!’ answered the women. ‘We are the wives of Sákatirína; your search is over, for there stands the one you seek!your search is at an end, for there stands he whom you seek!’ And they pointed to what Makóma had thought were two tall mountain peaks. ‘Those are his legs,’ they said; ‘his body you cannot see, for it is hidden in the clouds.’

Makóma was astonished when he saw how tall the giant was. But he was undeterred. He went forward until he reached one of Sákatirína’s legs and struck it hard with Nu-éndo.Makóma was astonished when he beheld how tall was the giant; but, nothing daunted, he went forward until he reached one of Sákatirína’s legs, which he struck heavily with Nu-éndo. Nothing happened, so he hit again and then again. Soon he heard a tired, far-away voice saying:Nothing happened, so he hit again and then again until, presently, he heard a tired, far-away voice saying: ‘Who is it that scratches my feet?’

And Makóma shouted as loud as he could, answering: ‘It is I, Makóma, who is called “Greater”!’ He listened, butAnd he listened, but there was no answer.

Then Makóma collected all the dead brushwood and trees that he could find. He made an enormous pile round the giant’s legs and set it alight., and making an enormous pile round the giant’s legs, set a light to it.

This time the giant spoke. His voice was very terrible, for it was the rumble of thunder in the clouds.This time the giant spoke; his voice was very terrible, for it was the rumble of thunder in the clouds. ‘Who is it,’ he said, ‘making that fire smoulder around my feet?’

‘It is I, Makóma!’ shouted the hero. ‘And I have come from far away to see youto see thee, O Sákatirína, for the spirits of my ancestorsthe spirits of my fathers told me to seek you and fight youbade me go seek and fight with thee, so that I would not grow fat and tired of myself.lest I should grow fat, and weary of myself.’

There was silence for a while, and then the giant spoke softly: ‘It is good, O Makóma!’ he said. ‘For I too have grown weary. There is no man as great as I am, so I am all alone.There is no man so great as I, therefore I am all alone. Guard yourself!Guard thyself!’ Bending suddenly, he seized the hero in his hands and hurled him to the ground.And bending suddenly he seized the hero in his hands and dashed him upon the ground. And lo! Instead of death, Makóma had found life. He sprang to his feet stronger and taller than before. Rushing in, he gripped the giant by the waist and wrestled with him.And lo! instead of death, Makóma had found life, for he sprang to his feet mightier in strength and stature than before, and rushing in he gripped the giant by the waist and wrestled with him.

Hour by hour they fought, and mountains rolled beneath their feet like pebbles in a flood. Makóma would break away and gather his strength to strike the giant with Nu-éndo, his iron hammer. Sákatirína would pull up the mountains and hurl them at the hero. But neither could kill the other.Hour by hour they fought, and mountains rolled beneath their feet like pebbles in a flood; now Makóma would break away, and summoning up his strength, strike the giant with Nu-éndo his iron hammer, and Sákatirína would pluck up the mountains and hurl them upon the hero, but neither one could slay the other. At last, on the second day, they gripped each other so strongly that they could not break away. But their strength was failing. Just as the sun was sinking, they fell together to the ground, unconscious.At last, upon the second day, they grappled so strongly that they could not break away; but their strength was failing, and, just as the sun was sinking, they fell together to the ground, insensible.

When they awoke in the morning, Mulímo the Great Spirit was standing beside them. He said:In the morning when they awoke, Mulímo the Great Spirit was standing by them; and he said: ‘O Makóma and Sákatirína! You are heroesYe are heroes so great that no man can stand against you.no man may come against you. Therefore you will leaveye will leave the world and take up your home with me in the clouds.’ As he spoke, the heroes became invisible to the people of the Earth and were never seen among them again.And as he spake the heroes became invisible to the people of the Earth, and were no more seen among them.