Baraza Born

By Shara Azod

All Aziza wanted a normal life, in a normal place, far away from LaMontana and the quaint little seaside inn she never wanted. First, Aunt Marie dies and leaves her in charge until her wayward cousin could come home. Then the pandemic hit and life froze in place. If that weren’t bad enough, she was constantly haunted by the ghost of her dead aunt, whom Aziza was convinced was doing something otherworldly to keep her in this dead town where nothing ever happens. And then HE walks in.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Nov 10, 2021
• ISBN: 9781794838444

Book preview

Author’s Note

This is pure fantasy based on a conglomeration of African myths, legends, and ancient gods. Nothing in this fantasy is canon. To the best of my ability, I tried to keep the gods of mythical beings from the same country, region or ethnic group in one post, except for the Baraza. Each member of the Baraza is actually a form of an ancient one-god, or the entity from which all gods and goddesses were created. The Bomani is based on local deities, although the word doesn’t quite capture the nuances of many different spiritual beliefs that stretch across the continent. And the JagunJagun are based on a country or ethnic group’s myths, legends, or ancient rulers.

Glossary

Baraza - Swahili for Council

Bomani - Yoruba for Warrior

Jagunjagun - Malawian for Strong Soldier

The Baraza

Ammon the Seer of the ancient Berbers

Unkulunkulu (Kulu) the President of the Council of ancient Zulus

Nyame the Vice President of Ghana

Hishe the Wise Man of Botswana

Asis the Regulator of Kenya

Atum the Enforcer of ancient Upper Egypt (Nubia/Sudan)

Jok the Messenger of ancient Ethiopia

The Bomani West

Axe - President

Wag - VP

Epee- Sgt. At Arms

Jum the Righteous - Chaplin

Enigma - Seer

Face -Healer

Senior - Wise Man

In a Beginning ~

At the beginning of creation, before the concept of a human was ever thought of, the world was at peace. Mother Earth bore all manner of children who were at one with her and the universe.

Then came humans.

At the dawn of the human age, the people of the earth once venerated the Mother. They respected her bounty and easily managed the powers of the universe that were gifted to all. Not because mankind had a better heart than the modern people of today, but because there was an enforced balance. Just as the first people walked upright, the universe also gave birth to the Baraza. They were the first among the celestial beings, and they held the key to the doorway between worlds. Regulators of magic, ruler of all preternatural beings, their powers were boundless.

As man advanced, ancient mystical ways were forgotten. Slowly, the knowledge of the Baraza faded from memory. As the number of humans who understood ancient magic, the Baraza were needed less. They retreated as man spread across the globe and began sending out the warrior tribes they created, the Bomani, from across the Motherland to stand watch over every corner of the world. The Bomani held four main stations or chapters, North, South, East and West. Seven warriors per post, each creating an army of their own to spread across the land called, the Jagunjagun, soldiers. Every Jagunjagun subchapter had seven members, each answering to their Bomani generals in their territory. It was a precaution for those who stumbled across forces they couldn’t hope to control. An insurance of balance.

Thus was the structure of the keepers of magic, ensuring equilibrium, making sure that humans didn’t abuse the powers granted by the universe and blessed by The Mother. As time passed, the need for Baraza to intervene or offer guidance decreased. The Bomani no longer needed them for guidance; the masters of the magic arts slowly dwindled until they were scarce. Each Baraza found themselves increasingly withdrawn from all that was human. There simply was no need to interact with anyone. Soon they slept, each in their part of the Motherland. Humans didn’t need their guidance anymore. The Bomani kept order among the very few who remembered the ancient ways.

And then....

Chapter One

This is completely unfair, you know. Talking to Aunt Marie was a waste of time. Aziza knew that. Still, if the woman was just going to stand there gawking, she might as well get an earful. Wasn’t like there was anyone else around to listen. I agreed to come help you out, not to live the rest of my life in La Montana. I have plans! Life plans! I love you to death, Aunt Marie, but I didn’t get a hospitality degree to waste away in a tiny ass town.

Too sassy. As soon as the little cuss word left her mouth, Aziza knew she’d gone too far. The frown that replaced what had been a teasing smile on Aunt Marie’s face swamped her with guilt immediately.

I’m sorry. Mumbling, she dropped her heavy head in shame. The apology was sincere, but the aching resentment of Aziza’s current situation didn’t make her feel any better. "I just... There is nothing here