Evil Meal of Evil

Scene 1. Following the death of Dohbani

28 Kehbuma Langmia Scene 1 Following the death of Dohbani (Members of ‘Nda Saah’ meet urgently to receive him. During the ceremony, signs and symbols are performed by Buhkap to mesmerize him and subdue him completely in their midst. They enter in their usual style.) Buhkap Blood! Blood! Blood! Members We’re the bloodthirsty villains of the village. Buhkap Tanu, Tabeb, Ngangbebyu! We are assembled here this evening for what you already know. Your trap has caught the powerful animal. Nahwubly has fulfilled the mission, which was assigned to her. She has no other child now in the active world of living beings. When next your thirst has to be quenched or your throats have to be oiled, Nahwubly in her next turn will present herself to you. Congratulations to Nukemih who made it possible for Dohbani to be killed and buried. Let her now report to the assembly on how she achieved this. Nukemih Your lordship, dear members of ‘Nda Saah’. My strategy as a woman of villainous intentions has enabled me to succeed. The pills given to me by your lordship were taken right here in our assembly. Early in the morning, in my sleeping room, I disguised as a large cobra, found a large hole in my house and headed directly for the path which leads to Dohbani’s palm wine bush. There, I hid myself in thick grass and waited for about an hour when suddenly I heard footsteps approaching. I knew it was none other than him. Very precise were my teeth, as they found a safe way to penetrate through his leg. His hasty attempt to withdraw his leg only further deepened the wound. He fell down panting while I found my way home. I came back to my house and reincarnated immediately to my human form. Your lordship, this is how I did it. 29 An Evil Meal of Evil Members (Cheers) Buhkap Let Loohfah, Ngangkwetbun and Ngangdong follow the path to the grave to bring Dohbani. (Gives them certain magic webs and talisman which they will use in the grave). At the grave, pray to our ancestors while hitting your left legs as usual and when you see him in front of you, call his name aloud seven times. Take him up, veil his head and bring him here. Go now as I order you. (The three magic experts, tools in the hands of the ancestors, go to bring Dohbani from the grave. After a while they bring him veiled in a white cloth). Buhkap (Sprinkling blood on his head while raising his hands to the ancestors) Dohbani! Dohbani! Dohbani Eh! Eh! Buhkap You are heartily welcome to our meeting where we live on the blood of human beings. From now hence, you are to share in all our sacrifices of villainous intent. You will be instructed on what you are to do as a profession while you live on the farms. We do not have enough workers on our plantations. Our next human catch will be a student who should have completed secondary education. As for you Dohbani, you will be provided with digging tools to use in planting crops. You shall meet with other colleagues. This is the second world where all the evil men of this village and traitors dwell. Now we welcome you to ‘Nda Saah’ Dohbani! Dohbani! Dohbani Eh! Eh! Buhkap Here is your mother; she will give you your assignments as she holds your right hand. Nahwubly Dohbani, I am your beloved mother, Nahwubly, who is holding your right hand. I am responsible for bringing you to this happy world where we are looked upon as evil men and women. Back in the living world, you thought I was a truthful, loyal, honest, and 30 Kehbuma Langmia responsible mother. All those ideas you held about me were wrong. I declare to you now that I am a witch dealing with ancestors of the second world and you now form a part of that world. You thought your younger brothers and sisters died a natural death. They were all mysteriously killed by me. You will act like an elder brother to them on the plantation. Comfort them when they lament. Care for them. Guide them when they go astray. Be their watchdog. Share all your talents with them. I remind you again, I am your mother, Nahwubly, speaking. I wish you success and hard work...