The Apex Book of World SF 2 by Lavie Tidhar Read Free Book Online Page A

he was the last person in the village, in all Burundi, actually,
who could perform the Waking ceremony. He had tried to teach many of his
apprentices how to do it but had been unsuccessful. Even when his father had
taught him, the skill was almost forgotten.
    Eyo approached
Katulo twice to make sure he would not change his mind about letting him watch.
This, at least, amused Katulo. He had to admit that he drove Eyo harder than
his previous apprentices. Katulo was increasingly aware that he did not have
much longer to live. With his previous apprentices, he had stuck to teaching
medicines and physiology, but there were other things Katulo wished to pass on.
He had seen so many amazing things. He had been there when Burundi won the
10,000 metres in the Olympics, beating the Kenyans and Ethiopians. He had
listened to Wana Maisu's final concert. He had survived two droughts and one
epidemic. He had also seen Africa become fully independent as Europe and
America were torn apart in a succession of wars. He had been part of the Second
Revolution and treated President Peneka himself for gout. He had listened to
the visionary president blabber to conceal his nervousness. There were so many
memories, small things as well—some that he esteemed more than the things
worthy of history books: how good it felt to run naked in the forest, the
unique taste of roasted groundnuts when eaten after love making, the amazing
things he'd learnt about his mother when she finally spoke to him as an equal.
    Every morning, as he
and Eyo ate breakfast, he would begin. He would tell the boy the history of
Burundi, myths, proverbs, and stories. He told Eyo dirty jokes—oral tradition
that would be a crime to forget—with the same passion that he taught the boy herbal
remedies and anatomy. Eyo never complained. It was hard for him to absorb a lot
of what Katulo taught, but he tried. He deserved the privilege of seeing a
Waking ceremony.
    After the wedding
vows, the father of the bride called Katulo. The young boys and girls were
taken away to eat boiled sweets and spiced cassava. "Not him," Katulo objected
when they tried to take Eyo. He winked at his apprentice, which elicited a huge
grin.
    Katulo took out his
ceremonial mask, put aside his walking staff, and walked unsteadily to the
bride and groom. The mask was not actually needed for Waking, but it was
tradition. The mask depicted a buffalo's head. The horns were brass and the
face was carved out of wood. There were gaps for the eyes and the mouth. When
he was standing a few steps in front of the married couple, Katulo spoke
loudly. His voice was richer and more musical when he performed the role of
Waker. "A river is a droplet of water; a mountain is a tiny pebble; and the two
of you are all of Burundi. This union is not only between two people but
between two souls and two families. Your love will forever change the
community. It will enrich us when we are frightened, sustain us when we are
lost, and our community will continue to grow. You will bring us the future but
never forget that you are connected always to the past."
    The bride and groom
had been told what to do when he said these words. The groom cradled his new
wife's head between his palms and leant forwards. Katulo lifted his arms in the
air and opened his senses to their kiss. He let himself feel the moment. At the
same time he thought of his marriage to Owuro when he was twenty-six. He let
himself relive the rush of adrenaline and the tremble in his lips before he
kissed her. He pictured Owuro's light olive skin and long braids. He thought of
her crooked smile and mischievous eyes. He remembered the taste of her wedding
kiss—light cinnamon and cloves. His flesh tingled. He felt the earth around him
as if it were part of his body. He let his memories seep into the ground.
    Between the wedding
guests, wispy figures appeared. The mirages were all embracing and kissing.
They were misty at first and then gradually became fully visible.