Manak-na's Story, 75,000 BC

by Bonnye Matthews

  Frakja-na, Humko-na, and Hupu had left early with spears to see if they could find more caribou. The People really liked the meat and they knew women would want the skins. They knew the one Manak-na and Kai-na had taken was located to the west, so they headed in that direction walking with great difficulty through the deep white rain over the hills and down the other side. Fortunately the white rain was dry and when kicked, it littered the air with crystals. By high sun, they gathered to eat some jerky and drink some water. Even though it was cold enough to require head and hand coverings, they sweat profusely from their effort in walking through the white rain. Despite the sweat, they knew better than to cool themselves down by opening their season-of-cold-days garments to the air.

  Downhill near the valley, Elet, Cam, Shukmu, and Smosh checked the snares again. This time there were four rabbits. The rabbits were all white. The young men gathered them and reset the snares. They met at the path uphill and took the rabbits to the meat preparation cave. They each cleaned one, skinned it, and deboned the meat. They’d carry the meat to the cave for cooking stews or soups and the skins were given to the women who worked them in the meat preparation cave.

  The hunters on the hill to the west realized that soon Wisdom would be darkening their black and white world. They needed to retrace their steps. As they turned, Hupu silently held up his arm and lowered it, pointing to a valley to the northeast. There a large herd of caribou gathered. They wanted to hunt, but they knew it was too late. They would have to return another day. It was time to return to the home cave. They had four hills to cross. They were glad that the white rain marked their trail, and they were happy to know that there were many caribou and where they were.

  Men returned to the home cave from the observation place. Manak-na noticed that Ki’ti was walking around.

  “Wise One, you’re better,” he said with enthusiasm, certain that she wouldn’t be walking around unless Likichi had told her she was well enough.

  “Yes, I am better. When you have some time, I would like to talk to you.”

  “How about now?”

  “After you see Domur, my Brother. First things should be first.”

  “Thank you for the reminder,” he said and hurried off to find Domur.

  He found her in the place she usually worked near the hearth. He sat beside her and asked about her day. She told him that Ermi-na had brought something from the meat preparation cave and he’d said for Manak-na to find him when he returned.

  Manak-na told her he’d be right back. He found Ermi-na who showed him the rolled skin that was the caribou Manak-na wanted for Domur. It was finished. Manak-na went to look at the skin. He unrolled it. Domur in the other part of the cave was trying to keep herself from looking, since she had figured out why Ermi-na wanted to see Manak-na. Manak-na was delighted. The skin was worked exceptionally well. It was soft and he rolled it back up, thanked Ermi-na, and carried it to Domur.

  “This is a gift to you to show that I hold you in my belly with great love,” Manak-na said with joy.

  Domur kneeled down and unrolled the skin. She could not believe how soft the fur was and how well the women had worked the skin. It was an object of great beauty. Unshed tears filled her eyes. Manak-na sat beside her. She sat beside the skin and reached for Manak-na’s hands. “It is beautiful,” she said, wishing there were words more appropriate to express how she felt. “Thank you for this wonderful gift.” Unashamedly, her tears escaped the rims of her eyes.

  “Domur, I just wish there were words to tell you how special you are to me.” Manak-na had a lump in his throat and was loath to free his tears publicly. He stared around at the ceiling trying to regain emotional control.

  Domur knew him. She whispered to him, “We’ll enjoy this tonight. Please roll it back up. It’s almost time to eat.” She knew if she gave him something to do he’d recover his self control faster. She loved him and wanted to ease him. He loved her for knowing what to do. They went to the line to fill their bowls. On the way he told her that the Wise One wanted to talk to him. He wondered if she knew why. She told him she had no idea, but she suggested he seek her out after eating.

  When they finished eating, Manak-na went to find Ki’ti.

  “Is now a good time?” he asked.

  “Of course,” she replied. Manak-na sat down near Untuk-na. He was curious.

  “I have had many dreams while getting better. One dream recurs and that is why I want to talk to you. You see, my Brother, it has concerned me and some others here that there are so few People. In my dream I continue to see People to the north of us, some near a big lake, that I think may be the big lake we were going to find. These People are not People, Mol, or Minguat. They have darker skins, brown eyes, and brown hair. They do not look terribly different, but they have their unique characteristics as the People, Mol, and Minguat do. They are definitely people as we all are.”

  “What do you want to know, Wise One?” he asked.

  “Tell me about the boatbuilders. Were they strictly Mol like Kipotuilak, or were there differences?”

  Manak-na went to his mind web and methodically walked through memory. He pictured Pah and the boatbuilders, especially those he thought were Mol who lived on the hill. He pictured Ralm and Rokuk and the woman who outfitted Ahna. He remembered Komus, who lived near the big lake. After examining his memory, he put together what Ki’ti wanted to know.

  “Wise One, the boatbuilders are mixed somewhat. On the hill there is a group of people I first assumed were Mol. When I think about them, I remember they were darker of skin color than any Mol, Minguat, and People I’ve ever seen. But their skin is not so dark as to call great attention to it. They all had brown eyes. They had some characteristics that differ from ours and the Mol and Minguat. Their brows were more like ours with less heaviness above the eyes than we or the Mol have. They have rounded faces as if they eat very well. Their hair is fine like ours. They were not as tall as the Mol, more our height. There are some Mol working there like Kipotuilak and some Minguat like Gurst and Skuku. There were a couple of our People. All spoke the language of the Mol. It’s strange that you ask, because I’ve learned not to see the differences and I’ve had to work hard to make my memory call them up. I’ve learned we are all People.”

  “I’m glad you see that way, my Brother. I am also glad you have made it clear to me that it’s possible that there is yet another group of humans in this land, although they are far from us.”

  “My Sister,” Manak-na said, “you do not ask questions for no reason. What has your dream foretold?”

  “I am not sure. What I know for certain now is that there are others alive out here. We are not alone. There may be great distance between us, but we are not alone. I think that when the time comes that we need to find others with whom to join, there is an option to the north or possibly with the boatbuilders. They are different from us, but that has never been a barrier, and I see no reason for it to become one now.”

  “So you have answered the question the men who search the night skies have asked when they see no hearth fire smoke. There are others out there, just too far away for us to see.”

  “I think so, Manak-na. I think so.”

  “One of the boatbuilders is named Komus. His people live near the big lake. He does have the look of the different people who live on the hill above the boatbuilders. From time to time he journeys to see his people.”

  “I wonder whether he follows the giant’s path. If he does, he’ll come right past here.”

  “That’s true. If he does, I’ll introduce him.”

  “I’d like to meet anyone you met at the boatbuilders, Manak-na. He’d be welcome.”

  “I was sure of that,” he said. Manak-na stood. I think the council is about to begin. “Are you presiding?” he asked Ki’ti.

  “No, my effort today has tired me out. I will listen from my sleeping skins. Thank you, Manak-na. Oh, Manak-na.”

  He looked at her.

  “We have been too l
ong without naming the new -na hunters. It needs to take place.”

  “I will see to it tonight, Wise One.” He replied. To himself, he thought, Always formality. My little sister has been sick and I have to treat her with some distance as Wise One.

  The council met. Frakja-na got the nod from Grypchon-na and he told about their hunt for caribou. He told of Hupu’s find just as it became too late to hunt. He shared the information that a large herd of caribou was four hills from them in the valley. He shared their desire to return to hunt them, and asked whether others might go with them. The decision was made to make the hunt a significant one on the next cloudless day. Everyone liked the meat and there were women already interested in the skin.

  Manak-na looked directly at Grypchon-na.

  Grypchon-na nodded.

  “I call the following People: Patah, son of Hahami-na and Blanagah; Mhank, son of Manak-na and Domur; Meeluf, Halmi, and Shukmu, sons of Minagle and Sum-na; Yomuk, son of the Wise One and Untuk-na; Ekoy and Smig, sons of Ekuktu-na and Wamumal; Hupu and Koi, sons of Lamul-na and Meeka; Keemu, son of Olintak and Slamika-na; Bun, Mingugno, and Kal, sons of Lamk-na and Liho; Trokug, son of Ermi-na and Shmyukuk; Smosh and Alkomut, sons of Lai-na and Inst; Cam, Elet, and Truto, sons of Tongip-na and Aryna.”

  The men walked to Manak-na who stood in the center of the council circle.

  “We regret taking so long to make this pronouncement. As of this moment all are -na hunters. Congratulations, men.” The men lowered their heads and quietly returned to their seats.

  Without a thought people began to do palm strikes. There was nothing but silence except for the crackling hearth fires and the palm strikes. As they began, the palm strikes ended.

  Ahna told the story of Maknu-na and Rimlad. Then, the home cave settled down for the night. Domur and Manak-na delighted in the caribou skin.

  Chapter 8

  Ki’ti had been up and steadily gaining strength, but she continued to cough. Having been so terribly fatigued, which was her main concern, she thought little of the cough. From time to time she’d produce a lot of phlegm, and she’d spit it up. It lacked color, so both she and Likichi were not worried. What they both found comforting is that Ki’ti improved daily. She was presiding at the council meetings again and telling stories at night. People came to her with problems for her help to resolve. It was as if the heart of the People was beating well again.

  When Wisdom brought a brilliant golden morning to the black and white world of the season of cold days, twenty-five hunters had already left for the fourth mountain to the west. They were eager to hunt the caribou and bring home meat to smoke and skins the women wanted. The distance was great for the conditions. The white rain was over the knees of the People except the Mol. Walking was difficult. The Mol hunters went first to break down the path for those who followed, but regardless of where a hunter was in line, walking was not easy. They tried to follow the trail left by those who had gone before, but wind had partially covered their tracks. Travel was much easier for the two ravens that followed the hunters. They were as expectant as the hunters. The ravens had seen the spears, and they recognized hunt behavior. Their bellies would be well fed. They flew silently just behind the hunters, resting on trees to observe the men who traveled so slowly below them.

  Despite the difficulties, the hunters were eager for the hunt. It had been so long since they had really feasted on fresh meat. The white rain had kept them close to the home cave. They were beginning to realize that they could function in the white rain, though it was tougher. It was invigorating to be back on a real hunt. The men did not talk much, afraid that their voices might precede them in the quiet woodland, alerting the caribou. As they began the climb up the fourth hill, there was a tension sprouting from their expectation. Tongip-na reached the top first, and was surprised when he did not see a herd of caribou anywhere. Manak-na hurried to the top and looked down. He could see where they had been—not where they were. The hunters descended to the place where the caribou had been. Quickly they spotted the trails left by the caribou as they moved to another place. The hunters followed, not believing the numbers of animals inferred from their trails. It was spectacular!

  It was almost high sun when the hunters found the herd. They had crossed another hill and many caribou were ruminating below. Hunters began to make signs that showed their plan. The ravens watched silently from above. The birds would not warn the caribou of the hunters, since it would not benefit them to do that. They just observed in silence, waiting, eager to share in the hunters’ profits. They had a role to play just as the hunters did to assure success.

  The hunters spread out. They used trees to block them from sight, but some of the hunters wondered whether these animals had ever seen one of the People. If they had never seen a person, they would have no reason to fear, some thought. When a grouping of caribou was surrounded, hunters swiftly began to spear the animals. Many hunters were able to spear more than one caribou. The animals were not frightened of the People, until they understood what was happening. Then they bolted.

  Twenty-five hunters participated; twenty-nine caribou were taken. It was a phenomenal hunt. They bled and gutted the animals as quickly as possible and then readied them for transport on their spears. The odor of animal gut and iron from blood hung in the air. Some hunter pairs carried two caribou suspended by their legs from the spears that the men held on their shoulders from man to man. Walking was awkward, but it could be done and was more efficient than leaving animals and having to return to them later. The excited ravens hopped back and forth on tree limbs ruffling their feathers and hopping again, wishing the hunters would take their animals and go, so they could feast undisturbed on the entrails. The men said little. More was communicated by facial gestures—gestures that made it clear that the men were very well pleased, even a bit shocked, by the success of the hunt. The men had a long distance to return home. They were as eager as the ravens were to get started.

  Back at the home cave, Song had begun labor. She had been at it for hours. Humko-na was on the hunt and was not aware that he might soon be a father. Likichi hovered, watching. Ki’ti watched from a distance where she worked with Ahna.

  The cave was busy. Domur had gathered the little children and was encouraging them to sing. She taught the little ones a song she’d made to help them learn to count from zero to nine. Ermol-na had joined them and brought his drum. Domur taught them to dance in place to the song, and Ermol-na supplied the rhythm. Some of the adults found themselves humming to the music or dancing little steps. The song was also helping adults to learn the numbers. There was an air of joy despite the cold keeping most people inside the home cave. Something wonderful had happened when the People knew they had a permanent home. There was renewed optimism, happiness, increasing activity to make improvements in their way of living.

  Ki’ti was sitting with Ahna discussing their day’s work.

  “Does Wisdom have some aspects of People?” Ahna asked.

  “You’ve got it turned around. We have some aspects of Wisdom. Wisdom is not like us; we are a tiny bit like Wisdom.”

  “But you can begin to know Wisdom in a similar way as you begin to know a person?”

  “Yes. You are thinking to communicate with Wisdom as you would with me or another person.”

  “Yes. How do you come to know Wisdom, Wise One, uh, Mother?” Ahna asked.

  “As you become more and more familiar with the stories, they will tell you about Wisdom. You’ll learn from our life and the stories what you need to know about Wisdom. On our travel from where we used to live when the earthquakes made us move, Wisdom led us, because often the path was not clear. Wisdom led us by making a bright light. I didn’t realize that only I could see that light. We didn’t need more than one person to see it. But Wisdom always knew where the path was. From the story of Maknu-na and Rimlad, you learn that Wisdom provides and protects. They were trying to survive a volcano—not Baambas—a different volcano. It was before Baambas
. Wisdom let the volcano explode when they were by a lake. Maknu-na and Rimlad submerged in the lake, and they breathed through reeds until the worst of the eruption was over.”

  “So while I practice the stories, I need to look for what they tell me about Wisdom?”

  “Yes. That way you come to know Wisdom better. You discover who he is, how he relates to the People, what to expect from what he’s done. You find Wisdom yourself directly when he reveals himself to you. I could tell you that Wisdom leads, defends, sees all, and is all powerful. Those are just words. They have no real meaning to you until you start to see them for yourself. Then, the words have more depth of meaning.”

  “There are some People who don’t know Wisdom.”

  “That is true. They know about Wisdom. They may know, for example, that Wisdom protects, but they have no direct experience calling to Wisdom for protection and receiving it. When they do, then, they have a fuller sense of who Wisdom is.”

  “You can talk with Wisdom, can you not Mother?”

  “Yes, that is possible. If you can communicate with Wisdom, that is good. Sometimes Wisdom wants you to know something directly. Then you may hear that small voice. You’ve heard it, haven’t you?”

  “I have. I didn’t know where it was coming from that night in the cave when I was still new to the People. I wondered whether it was under the ground or from a star far away.”

  Ki’ti laughed a genuine lovely laugh. It startled Ahna, but it was not derisive or a social fake laugh. Ki’ti put her arm around Ahna. “Wisdom is not made of the earth as we are. Wisdom is spirit. Wisdom is with you and us always. We sometimes forget that Wisdom is present. Wisdom never forgets. Because Wisdom is spirit, to talk with Wisdom you must talk through your spirit even though you speak physically or in your mind web. You communicate spirit to spirit. When you heard that voice that night, you heard it with the ears of your spirit.”