In a small Mossi village, there lived a woman who could not bear children. One day, in search of a cure for her barrenness, she visited a respected healer. The healer instructed her carefully, “Prepare some porridge, but if any falls upon your thigh, do not wipe it off.”
The woman returned home and followed the healer’s advice meticulously. As she stirred the porridge, a small portion slipped onto her thigh. She left it untouched. To her astonishment, the small bump that appeared grew rapidly and burst open, revealing a child. This was no ordinary child. Immediately after his miraculous birth, the child looked at his mother and asked, “Mother, do you know my name?”
Shaken, she admitted she did not. He then asked his father, who also confessed ignorance. The child declared proudly, “I am Kegenkargen-biga-na-zcngloanda.” He demanded an iron club from his father, which was promptly handed over. With the club in his hand, the extraordinary child ventured into the surrounding bush.
It was not long before he encountered another child wandering alone. They quickly became friends, sharing stories and laughter amidst the trees. Together, they conceived a daring plan: to construct a cage in which they would keep all the birds they could capture. These birds, in their view, had once tormented humans, and now the children sought to bring them under control.
The cage was built carefully from reeds and miller stalks, strong enough to hold the creatures inside. They worked tirelessly, capturing birds one by one and placing them inside. Yet, after some time, they noticed that the number of birds in the cage was mysteriously decreasing. Something or someone was freeing them.
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Determined to maintain order, the children appointed a watchman named Warpigscnkonba to guard the birds. One day, a massive hawk appeared overhead, its shadow cutting across the sunlit ground. It swooped down and spoke in a deep, resonant voice, asking Warpigscnkonba, “Do you want me to eat the meat or a person?”
Startled but cautious, Warpigscnkonba replied, “Eat the meat, for there is a person here.” The hawk obeyed, swallowing the birds that had escaped, then flew away. The children were furious, ridiculing Warpigscnkonba as incapable. Another guardian was chosen, but the same scene repeated. Again, the hawk asked, “Eat the meat or a person?” and again, the guardian chose the meat. The birds were swallowed.
At last, Kegenkargen-biga-na-zcngloanda took it upon himself to guard the birds. When the hawk returned, it repeated its question. The child answered boldly, “Eat the person, for there is meat here.” The hawk swooped down and swallowed him whole. But Kegenkargen-biga-na-zcngloanda was no ordinary child. Using his iron club, he struck the hawk from within as it soared. Though swallowed again, he emerged a second time and struck the creature once more.
Finally, with a powerful blow from his club, he killed the hawk. As he plucked its feathers, they transformed magically into birds that took flight, filling the skies. From these feathers, all the birds of the world were born. The child had succeeded not only in defending the birds but also in populating the earth with them, giving life and song to the skies.
Through his courage, cleverness, and determination, Kegenkargen-biga-na-zcngloanda became a legend. He reminded all who heard his story that bravery, intelligence, and persistence can overcome even the most terrifying challenges.
Moral Lesson
The tale of Kegenkargen-biga-na-zcngloanda teaches that courage and cleverness can triumph over seemingly impossible obstacles. Even the smallest or youngest among us can achieve extraordinary feats through ingenuity, bravery, and persistence.
Furthermore, the story emphasizes responsibility: when entrusted with power or guardianship, one must act with wisdom and resolve, as failure can endanger those under one’s care. Courage, intelligence, and accountability are the foundations of true heroism.
Knowledge Check
Who is Kegenkargen-biga-na-zcngloanda?
He is the miraculous child born from the mother’s thigh who displays extraordinary courage and cleverness.
What magical occurrence led to the child’s birth?
A small portion of porridge fell on the mother’s thigh and was not wiped off, leading to the child’s miraculous birth.
Why did the children build a cage?
They built a cage to capture and control the birds that had previously caused trouble.
What role does the hawk play in the story?
The hawk challenges the children, testing their courage and intelligence in guarding the birds.
How did Kegenkargen-biga-na-zcngloanda defeat the hawk?
He struck it with his iron club from inside its body multiple times until he finally killed it.
What is the cultural origin of this folktale?
The story is a Mossi folktale, originating from the Mossi people of Burkina Faso.
Source: Mossi folktale, Burkina Faso
