The Legends of Makoma - Part Five

But when the other four giants woke up the next morning they found that Makoma looked very gloomy.

"What happened to you?"

"At night, the white spirits of my fathers came to me, and they asked me to go and fight with Sakatirina, who has five heads. According to my ancestors, Sakatirina is very great and strong and I will not know any peace until I fight him."

The other giants were very sad on hearing this. Makoma, comforted them and gave them back each of the gifts that he had taken from them. And after that, he went on his way. 

Makoma traveled towards the west over mountains, crossing deep rivers and dry deserts. At last he came to a hut standing near some huge peaks. 

Inside the hut were two beautiful women.

"Greetings!" Makoma nodded at the two women. "I am looking for Sakatirina of five heads."

One of the women nodded back at Makoma. "We are the wives of Sakatirina. You have come to the right place." 

The women pointed at the peak of mountains. 

"Those are his legs," the woman told Makoma, "You cannot see his body because it is hidden in the clouds."

Makoma picked up his hammer and hit the giant's feet repeatedly. After some time he heard a tired voice from far away. "Who is scratching my feet?"

"It is I, Makoma!" Macoma shouted as loudly as he could. However there was no answer.

After that Makoma collected all the dead wood and trees that he could find and made an enormous pile around the giant's legs and set fire to it. 

Finally the giant spoke again and his voice was like the rumble of thunder of the clouds. "Who is it that makes the fire smoulder around?" 

It is I, Makoma," the hero shouted." I have come to see you. Sakatirina the spirits of my fathers asked me to go and fight with you.” 

Finally, the giant replied. “It is good because I have also become very weary.  There is no one as great as I am, I am all alone.” 

After this, the giant challenged Makoma to a fight. 

And he picked up Makoma and dashed him on the ground.

Instead of dying, Makoma found life and he sprang to his feet stronger than before. 

The two fought each for a long time but neither could slay each other. Both of them fell senseless.

Then Mulimo, the Great Spirit stood before them. “Both of you are great heroes and neither can destroy each other. Therefore, you can leave this world and come to the clouds with me.”

After that both of them became invisible to the people of Earth and never to be seen here again. 

Adapted from Rhodesian folk tales