The African gods are ready to make any worthy warrior a shaman! And they might even reward them with gold. Venture to the sacred tree, and may luck be on your side!
The Harsh Realities of African Life
Life in the Bursi tribe was anything but easy. Every day, dozens of men, women, and children had to fight for survival. They waged wars against neighboring tribes, hunted, prepared food, and performed rituals, offering sacrifices to the African gods.
The higher powers often aided the tribe, especially in times of need, protecting them from various diseases. Epidemics were common in Africa, and many would have given anything for a healer capable of curing any illness.
The Shaman’s Journey to the Ancestors
The tribe’s shaman was the one who communicated with the spirits, possessing knowledge of numerous rituals and spells. He muttered in an incomprehensible language, and though no one understood his words, the gods heard his prayers. The higher powers granted the shaman’s requests, and the tribe thrived thanks to his presence.
But one unfortunate day, the shaman passed away. The gods took his soul in his sleep. Worse still, he had not chosen a successor or passed on his powers. Now, no one in the Bursi tribe knew how to speak with the spirits.
Who Will Speak with the Spirits Now?
By midday, the men and women of the tribe gathered at the chief’s dwelling. The leader ordered everyone to draw lots—whoever picked the shortest stick would become the new shaman.
Fate chose a young girl named Umbasa. Now, she had only one task left—to earn the spirits’ blessing…
The Gods’ Trial
Umbasa had to journey into the savanna in search of the sacred tree. But if you think this was an easy task, you’re mistaken! Anyone seeking the gods’ blessing had to pray there for an entire day.
By nightfall, the gods would send a spirit in the form of a wild beast to test the challenger. The trial was a deadly battle—failure meant death at the jaws of a predator.
A Fight to the Death
At sunrise, Umbasa set off on her journey. She carried only a tiger-tooth amulet for luck and a sharp spear. Upon reaching the sacred tree, she began to plead with the gods for the power to become the new shaman, the true bearer of Africa’s spirit.
At sunset, a cheetah appeared—it was, in reality, the gods’ messenger, sent to determine if Umbasa was worthy of speaking with the spirits. A brutal battle for survival began! The predator inflicted several wounds on her, but they were mere scratches that didn’t stop her from fighting for the divine gift.
Victory at Last!
After a few hours, the beast commanded Umbasa to stop. She hadn’t even managed to injure it and was completely exhausted. Little did she know that her opponent was invincible, and any attempt to harm it was doomed to fail.
The cheetah declared her worthy of receiving the true spirit of Africa. It promised to grant her power in her sleep and instructed her to spend the night beneath the sacred tree. Before leaving, the cheetah requested a sacrifice—perhaps an antelope. Umbasa obeyed, as the surrounding plains were teeming with hoofed animals.
Gold and Magic
The brave girl spent the night under the sacred tree. By morning, she felt magic coursing through her and discovered a bag of gold. Now, she was ready to return to her tribe.
And by the way, anyone can achieve this! Even if you don’t seek the shaman’s gift, try your luck and face the spirit of Africa—you’re guaranteed to walk away with gold…
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