African Women Writing Resistance: An Anthology of Contemporary Voices

The Day When God Changed His Mind

She stood tall and mighty, high and proud. The clouds had gathered and a cool refreshing wind washed over her. She shivered slightly but did not change her position. She was standing on one of the majestic Nyanga mountains. She looked down from the mountain top. The distance was enough to make anyone shiver, but Tamara was a warrior and this was her kingdom! Tamara wore the traditional garb well known to the Ndau sect. Her hair was long and plaited. Her skirt was of leopard skin, rough and oily as it rubbed against her long, slender legs. Her chest was covered by finely strung cattle hide, and she had bangles on her right arm. On her back, Tamara carried a small sack, where she put her bows and arrows. She was a true warrior, but a warrior without recognition, a leader without followers. Yes, she was alone in her quest to claim back what was rightfully hers, to take what had been stolen away from her—the throne. It belonged to the Chideya family. She might be a mere woman in the eyes of all who saw her, but she was more than what people saw. 15 The Day When God Changed His Mind Eve Zvichanzi Nyemba Since time immemorial, a man had always ruled over the Ndau kingdom. A woman’s place was at the cooking fire, Tamara had heard her grandmother say so many times. “Not me,” she had said, shaking her head violently. “My place is on the throne. I’m a princess. A leader of the Ndau people.” She hissed softly and the dog that lay beside her suddenly stood as if agreeing with her. She patted it slightly and then, as the clouds continued to gather, she said, “Shumba, let’s go,” and she ran all the way to her hut, the dog on her trail. Mbuya Chideya raised the calabash to her lips and drank the luscious liquid. She handed the calabash to her husband who took his fill of the porridge-like maheu drink. As she wiped her mouth, she murmured, “I don’t understand our Tamara girl at all. She does not behave like any normal girl would. She spends hours and hours in the forest hunting. Her place is here with me at the cooking place preparing a fine meal, not chasing after a man’s job.” Sekuru Chideya raised the calabash from his mouth, cleared his throat, and gingerly said, “Let her be. Her heart lies elsewhere. Don’t you see that she was sent from the heavens above? Does any boy her age match her? Do you think it’s normal? We should thank God for her.” “I am beginning to see that you are losing your mind,” Mbuya Chideya said as she added logs to the burning fire. “Tamara is a very beautiful girl. No man looks at her once and forgets her. There have been many suitors seeking her hand in marriage but lo, she spends the day doing a man’s job! Soon no one will come after her. She is a disgrace to this family! How can you say she is a gift from God?” Sekuru raised the calabash to his lips again and took in the rich liquid. He shook his head in protest at Mbuya’s argument. Finally he bellowed, “Do not forget that the throne rightfully belongs to this family. Remember how the throne was stolen from us!” He suddenly looked much older than his age, but his voice was firm. “My father was king of this territory,”he said more calmly. “Who doesn’t know that?”Mbuya interrupted him. He raised his hand to still her voice and then continued, “He was a brave warrior—” Just as he was saying this, Tamara entered the hut, gasping for breath. She knelt and said, while clapping her hands, “Good evening, Mbuya and Sekuru.” “Ah! Here comes my favorite granddaughter. Come and sit beside me,” Sekuru Chideya cried. “Good evening Tamara,” Mbuya said. Her voice hardened. “This behavior of yours must stop,” she added sternly. “You are now a grown woman, ripe for 16 Part One. Engaging with Tradition marriage. Forget about playing tomboy for a change. Chandinakira came to see you. He said he will come back tomorrow.” “I don’t want to see him!”Tamara cried. “You will do as I say,” her grandmother ground out between gritted teeth...