In the rugged highlands of Mansac Bet-Abrehe, where the air was thin and the mountains stretched like ancient sentinels, two renowned warriors, Kamel wad Gabay and Gahad wad Caggaba, journeyed together with their loyal companions. Their names were known across the region for both courage and skill, and the villagers often spoke of their feats with awe.
One day, while traversing a dense valley flanked by thorny acacia and jagged rocks, they encountered a massive herd of elephants. Panic rippled through their party as a she-elephant, towering above them, charged with a trumpet that echoed off the cliffs. Many companions fled in fear, hearts pounding as the ground quaked beneath the animals’ enormous feet.
Kamel, however, did not falter. Drawing his gleaming sword, he faced the enraged she-elephant with unwavering resolve. The fight was swift and fierce. With a precise and powerful stroke, he severed the elephant’s trunk, and the beast collapsed with a deafening crash. The rest of the herd, startled and disoriented, turned and fled, leaving the warriors in stunned silence. Though Kamel’s companions had witnessed this display of valor, his actions soon became the subject of an unexpected twist.
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As the group resumed their journey, Kamel paused to attend to a private matter, stepping aside to relieve himself. During this brief separation, Gahad, ever cautious of reputation and rumor, devised a plan. He selected two messengers from his party. To one, he instructed: “Go down to Samhar. When asked, tell them that Gahad and Kamel were traveling together. The herd of elephants confronted them, but Kamel fled while I struck down one of the beasts.”
The second messenger was sent to the Habab territory with the same instructions. “Spread the tale that Gahad slew the elephant, and Kamel ran,” Gahad ordered. The messengers obeyed without question, and soon the story traveled far beyond the mountains, whispered in villages and marketplaces alike. People marveled at Gahad’s supposed bravery and shook their heads at Kamel’s alleged cowardice.
Unaware of this narrative, Kamel returned to the group and continued to his home village. Only later, when the tale had already spread like wildfire, did he hear the news: that he, the famed Kamel wad Gabay, was said to have fled from an elephant while Gahad had heroically slain it. The accusation stung, for a warrior’s honor was measured by deeds, not rumors.
Kamel, however, did not let humiliation consume him. Taking up a drum, he sang a powerful song that carried through the night air, his voice defiant and resonant:
“This drum keeps us awake, remembering the night we faced the giants. Gahad may boast, yet the truth is ours alone. Let the lands of Samhar and Habab hear, Kamel stands unbowed!”
The villagers, hearing the rhythmic beat and the lyrics, sensed both courage and indignation in Kamel’s performance. The song spread his version of the tale, restoring his honor in the hearts of those who knew him, while also reminding all who heard it that reputation, though fragile, could be reclaimed through action and voice.
Thus, the story of Kamel wad Gabay and Gahad wad Caggaba became a legend of Mansac Bet-Abrehe. It was not merely about bravery in the face of danger but also about the fragile nature of reputation, the power of words, and the importance of asserting the truth. In the highlands where winds howled between cliffs and echoes carried over valleys, the drumbeat of Kamel’s song could still be imagined, reminding all that courage is measured in both deeds and integrity.
Moral Lesson
This tale teaches that courage is not solely defined by the outcome of an encounter but by steadfastness in the face of fear. Moreover, it highlights the importance of reputation and the way stories can distort truth. True honor is preserved through integrity, clarity, and asserting one’s deeds when others attempt to misrepresent them.
Knowledge Check
Who were the two main warriors in the tale?
Kamel wad Gabay and Gahad wad Caggaba.
What event sparked the central conflict in the story?
The encounter with a herd of elephants, where Kamel fought bravely.
How did Gahad wad Caggaba manipulate the story of the elephant encounter?
He sent messengers to claim that he killed the elephant while Kamel fled.
What did Kamel do to reclaim his honor?
He sang a song with a drum, asserting the truth of his bravery.
What lesson does the tale teach about courage and reputation?
Courage is not just about physical deeds; protecting one’s honor and truth is equally vital.
What is the cultural origin of this folktale?
Mansac Bet-Abrehe, Tigrean/Eritrean tradition.
Source: Tigrean folktale, Eritrea
