Crossroads

Humanity was sleeping when Mbumba the rainbow python united the sky and the earth. The Forest and River met in the untouched nature of Odzala, near the town of Mbomo in the north of the Cuvette.

— Tala yé! said River

— Tala ngayi, replied Forest.

Look at yourself! Look at me... let's look at us! After the usual call, River and Forest began to converse, taking advantage of the luminous bridge that Mbumba, the rainbow python, had created between them. The reflection of the treetops on the colored waters illustrated their coming together.

— River spoke up: You know, oh Forest, I become rivers and streams as per the regions, humans call me Niari, Léfini, Lékoli, or Congo. I am multiple, divide myself into as many streams, but ultimately they all follow the same path to the ocean.

Forest replied

— Humanity also gives me different names, they call me jungle, virgin forest, or queen Forest. I am both the subtle rustling of the foliage under the wind, the swaying of the trunks of ancient trees, the crackling of barks, and the flat horizon of the canopy. But all this diversity that composes me follows the same path to the sky.

The movements of River and Forest tickled the flanks of Mbumba the rainbow python who bathed in the bay of Lango. There at the confluence of the Lékoli and the salt river, the Lékini. Mbumba came out of his lethargy and stretched:

— My friends, from the heavens I watch the world, I listen to you and hear you with a lot of emotions. You, River, take sinuous and incessant courses, you, Forest, flourish in all directions, constantly regenerating, yet each of you knows exactly where you are going. I am delighted that your wisdom has always been an example to humans.

— Alas! - sighed the voice of the waters - customs have changed a lot. Forest and I are celebrated less and less, most humans have forgotten us.

Forest added:

Title

Crossroads

Themes

cosmogenesis | founding myth

Emotions

joy | sadness

Lesson

Humanity should not forget the wisdom of nature and old traditions, which serve as guiding paths in life.

Animals

snakes, python

Characters

Mbumba: The python arc-en-ciel, observer and mediator, who unites the sky and the earth. Forest (Forêt): The personification of the forest, dialogues with Fleuve, expressing diversity and a common direction towards the sky. River (Fleuve): The personification of the river, dialogues with Forêt, expressing diversity and a common direction towards the ocean.

Back-grounds

Odzala Nature Preserve, The Bay of Lango, The Confluence of Lékoli and the salt river, Lékini

Source

‘Congo Tales’ Told by the People of Mbomo, written by S.R. Kovo N'Sondé, Wilfried N'Sondé published by Prestel Publishing