Kekuta-the great Hunter
By: Sulayman Lecturer Darboe
(sulaymandarboe010@gmail.com,  Jingdibali.bogspot.com, whatsapp(+2203867564)
Episode three (3)
Kekuta in the forest

As the great hunter reached equidistant of the forest, he started laying tactics. He positioned himself strategically to avoid being directly exposed to animals. This he believed was the best mechanisms to protect him from counterattacks. Equally such locations enabled him to throw his arrow at animals without barriers. Kekuta was fully experienced in hunting. He knew vividly that throwing an arrow at certain (fearless) animals and missing; could drastically employ fatal consequences. Thus, every throw of his arrow was with care and enormous consideration.

The life of Kekuta in the forest was completely different from his home life. He was brave, courageous and fearless. His fellow hunter Dodou, described him as ‘a monster in a hunting scene’. He was full of anonymity. Alone, He attacked and defeated animals that overweigh the strength of an individual. When arriving home from the forest, Kekuta usually sang songs in areas where no other person dares to. For example, ‘bantangbato’ was an area in the forest housed by mysterious animals whose identity still remains anonymous. Villagers in the day, passed through the area with complete silence. Other hunters in the night used to be noiseless upon reaching the place. Interestingly and inexplicably, Kekuta sang songs of great warriors and fearlessly passed through without a scratch on his body. It was on this background of which the hunters in Tendala collectively agreed that Kekuta possessed ‘supernatural powers’.

It was midnight and Kekuta had not yet killed his anticipated big catch. Even though he hadn’t, the great hunter was optimistic of a catch(s) before sunrise. He laid firmed aside the path of Buffalos and cautiously, he held his arrow. Intermittently, kekuta thought of how he will be celebrated and embraced by the people of Tendala once he returned with a catch(s). Each time he thought of Musukata’s smile, he felt glorified and sanctified. He felt lucky to have such a loving and caring woman. Were his feelings and perceptions about Musukuta accurate? The story will justify. The women of Tendala who cried both in open and secret categorized Musukuta as a pompous woman who only loved Kekuta because of his fame and success. On several occasions, many whispered in the ears of Kekuta but he never concurred. He always found Musukuta Pleasurable.

Despite the several contemplation at his planned scene, the man never lost consideration. His thoughts were calculable. Thus, he was never willing to compromise any opportunity for the escape of a catch. At about 4:30 am, Kekuta heard noise intermittently. He gazed over but couldn’t see any animal. Gradually, the sound of the noise became consistent. He became sure that his anticipated big catch had arrived. He re-gazed and saw baboons approaching at his location.  Suddenly they stopped and group over something. This was a hide of another baboon. Kekuta brought it along to be used by as a trap. As they grouped, the great hunter wasted no time but to make a hard strike using his arrow. At a distance of 10 meters, he stood with his left leg spaced by few centimeters apart from the right; pushed himself front and back to give heavy weight to the arrow. Finally he made a strike and his arrow killed two baboons at once. As the great hunter approached the baboons, he smiled, laughed and nodded his head. The first thing he said to himself was “will she hold me by my arms, legs, or only gaze at me’? Maybe she will hug me.” Kekuta hurriedly improvised a rope. He tightened the baboons on a heavy wood, backed them, and commenced his journey home.

Episode 4
Kekuta's journey home