Kintu by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi

Author:Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781945492037
Publisher: Transit Books
Published: 2017-03-13T04:00:00+00:00

9.

Yobu was lifting his butt off the floor, leaning forward to start crawling, when Kanani arrived to collect them. When Magda saw Kanani’s lack of interest in the baby she remarked, “When I saw the baby’s features I said, hohoho that Tutsi lad of old has popped up in the family again. Fancy him falling right into my hands!”

Magda was only knocking Kanani with family history in jest, like throwing a stone into a thicket to see what might fly out. His response astonished her. “The child’s father is Rwandese.”

Ruth, who was dressing Yobu, looked at Kanani sharply. It was as if she too could not believe that Kanani had said it. Then she felt Magda staring at her questioningly and she smiled in agreement.

“Is he one of your church people?” Magda asked.

“He’s not,” Kanani snapped just as Ruth was about to nod.

“But why choose Luusi?” Magda smiled at Kanani’s discomfort. “You would think that if the lad wanted himself reincarnated he would go for a male’s child.”

“You know how empty those beliefs are, Magda.”

But mischief was still on Magda’s face as she answered her own question. “Well, what do we know about the world of the dead? Maybe over there they don’t erect boundaries between daughters and sons.”

“But the Bible—”

“The one written by the white man?” Magda snapped.

“It could’ve been written by anyone. Remember there’ll be no color or creed in the new world.”

“Is that what God says these days? Oh well, God has seen the light,” Magda threw her arms in the air. “The last time I was in church Africans were an accursed crew.”

“That was a wrong interpretation.”

“And this one is right?”

“That’s it,” Kanani was fed up. “Ruth, pick up your bags, we’re going.”

“Luusi,” Magda turned to Ruth, “Let no one make you feel sorry. Yobu being Tutsi was no mistake and you’re lucky to be chosen to have him.”

Ruth kept a straight face.

“Give me the bag.” Kanani reached for Ruth’s bag. “Get the baby. Let’s go.”

But Magda was not finished. “Watch out, Kanani.” She pointed a finger at Kanani. “The ancients are on to you for some reason. First you had the twins, now the Tutsi? I am jealous!”

“My daughter having a Tutsi child has nothing to do with it. There are Tutsis in this world. That’s the end of it.”

“Nnakato!” Magda suddenly realized the implication of Ruth being a Nnakato. “That’s why he went for a daughter,” she gasped. The Tutsi lad is seeking his mother Nnakato of old.” Magda looked at her arms and said, “There are goose bumps all over my arms. I can’t believe this is happening, and to you of all people!” Now Magda closed her eyes and hissed, “For once in your life, Kanani, open your eyes and see what lies at your feet.”

Kanani turned and walked out of Magda’s compound. Magda ran after him. Kanani hastened his pace as if the Devil was close to his heels.

“I warn you, Kanani,” Magda whispered so that Ruth would not hear. “You

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