The Ambitious Pyramid of Kush

By Justin Kuku

Tokia Kaunda miraculously survives the brutal torture of the Sudanese National Intelligence guards in the Ghost Houses. He flees to Egypt to seek refuge, but racism, violence, rejection, and becoming easy prey for the doctors who steal the human organs from the Sudanese refugees are what the streets of Egypt have to offer him.

He thinks the struggle is over when he arrives in the United States of America, but things get worse. There are the language and cultural barriers. On top of that, the woman he loves and their unborn baby disappear and he is wrongfully convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison.

Despite all that, Tokia always strives to reach his goal of becoming a prosecutor who brings war criminals to justice. The author paints a realistic picture inspired by his personal experience.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Feb 3, 2022
• ISBN: 9781645441359

Book preview

Chapter 1

Tokia Kaunda was enthusiastic and anxious as he set his dusty feet in his political science class. He felt very ambivalent about school. If he could go to school without working in the morning, Tokia wouldn’t come to class late in the first day of the semester. He had no other choice but to work while going to college to pay his tuition and living expenses. He’d been a political science major as an undergraduate at Al-Neelain University, which was located in the capital city of Sudan, Khartoum. It’d been almost two years since the last time that he was in a classroom. A transition from a military life to a civilian life wasn’t that easy as Tokia thought.

Finding a seat was like finding a needle in a haystack. The class was packed. There were ninety students in his class. Using a white piece of chalk, Tokia’s political science professor, Sabit Wani, was writing on the blackboard as Tokia entered the class. The walls were recently painted blue like the ocean. He gazed timorously at the students around him as if he was looking for someone.

After the class was over, Tokia met with his friend, Ladu Angelo, who’d attended the same military training camp, but they’d served in different units after the training was over. They had just completed their eighteen-month military service, which was mandatory for all the students who completed their secondary school education. Omar al Bashir, the president of Sudan, initiated it for all students who were pursuing a higher education.

Tokia’s height helped him to spot Ladu in the middle of the crowd. Ladu was just two inches shorter. The dark-chocolate skin was the common denominator between Tokia and Ladu, not to mention their skinny bodies. Tokia shoved past the students to reach Ladu. He didn’t want to lose him. Tokia eased toward Ladu and greeted him.

How you been, bro?

Pretty good, Ladu replied. You?

Fine, Tokia replied. Thanks.

I hope you enjoyed your military service. Ladu was concerned.

It wasn’t that bad. I spent it here in Khartoum, Tokia said. How about you?

They made me join the Air Force, Ladu said, Have you been to the war zone?

Nope, Tokia replied. I would’ve joined the militia if they sent me to the south or to the Nuba Mountains, Tokia said, then he added in frustration, You know that my mom is from Nuba Mountains and my dad is from the south. I can’t fight against my own people.

You gotta be careful when you say something like that around here. You’ll get killed or arrested, Ladu cautioned and looked around, as if he were expecting someone listening to their conversation. The government planted snitches all over the place, especially in this university.

You remember my cousin Kodi, don’t you? Tokia asked with a gloomy face.

Yes, what’s wrong with him?

They amputated his right hand and left leg for stealing, Tokia said as his eyes filled with tears.

Oh my god. Those people are so cruel.

The government doesn’t offer jobs for us. They control everything, and when a person steals money or food to feed himself and his family, they would cut his arm and leg so you and your family could starve to death.

Most of our people didn’t get a proper education or go to college, but even though shit ain’t as bad as it used to be, it’s still impossible to get a decent job. If I have to guess, I can say that you have to be Arab or Muslim. However, if you are black, you must join their party in order for you to get a decent job, Ladu stated.

But it isn’t only being Arab because I see too many Arabs struggling just like we do, Tokia corrected him. It’s not only the race, it’s the religion, and most importantly, it’s the ruling political party, the National Congress Party. Either you join their party and be one of the Kaez’an or be against them. Nothing in-between.

Why are they called Kaez’an? Ladu asked.

It’s a term used for those who work for the government. They like to snitch, Tokia elucidated.

Thanks to our great leader, President Omar al Bashir, Ladu said sarcastically.

You mean misleader, Tokia whispered in a soft voice. His heart pounded.

Oh, time flies. Gotta go to my class, Ladu said, looking at his silver Cisco watch, and he continued, We need to catch up later.

Sure, bro, Tokia nodded. Have you heard of this woman in Mayo? She makes really good alcohol. Tokia asked.

Nope, I haven’t, Ladu replied.

I’ve been to her place once. Her drinks were fantastic. We should go there this Friday, if you don’t mind, Tokia suggested.

Why not. I’ll meet you there at the bus station around noon.

Perfect, Tokia agreed.

On his way home after school, Tokia saw his political science professor, Sabit Wani, standing at the bus station. Tokia pulled his Land Rover over, got out of the car, went to his professor, and offered him a ride after he reintroduced himself. They had already met at the class two hours ago. It was the day of introduction and going through the syllabus for some basic guidelines.

Oh, thank you, Tokia. I was trying in vain to get a taxi, Dr. Sabit said.

Well, you got a free ride tonight, Tokia declared in a strong voice, as if he would get a straight A for his kindness.

Nice car. Do you work for the UNICEF? I see their logo on your car. Dr. Sabit was curious.

Yes, I’m a driver, Tokia replied.

Awesome.

Where do you live?

I live in Eldeium Alshargea, Dem Altaisha.

Really? I live there too.

Where in Eldeium Alshargea do you live?

Dem Elgaana.

My car broke down, and the mechanic said it might take a week to be fixed.

I can give you a ride after school while the mechanic is fixing your car if you leave around this time.

That’s nice of you. Dr. Sabit was appreciative. I’ll pay for your gas, Dr. Sabit offered.

Oh no. You don’t have to.

Tokia knew that it was against the UNICEF policy to let his professor ride in the vehicle. He let him anyway. He had to get permission from his boss to drive the car to his school.

Tokia restarted the car and drove away. The CD player was playing African Unite by Bob Marley when Tokia lowered the volume politely so he could focus on the conversation with his professor. The music was barely audible.

How many days do you work a week?

Every day except Friday and Sunday.

There’s a rumor about having Saturday off very soon. We’ll work only five days, Sunday through Thursday.

Yeah, I’ve heard that. Does that mean the international organizations and Christian schools are going to have three days off?

I’m not sure, but I think they’ll still operate on Saturdays. The change will just apply to the public sector.

Tokia had to take his professor after school every day for a week. Tokia drove him twice to meet with his friends, and the other times they were heading straight to his house.

Tokia resided with his great-grandmother, Ngo’charethey Kuti, or Haboba, as Tokia liked to call her, and his aunt Kachi Komi, who had five children: Tutu; Abani; Kaloca; Christo, who later disappeared mysteriously; and their sister, Afrah. Also, Tokia’s uncle Khamis Komi lived in that house, but he was barely around due to his work schedule.

Tokia was the only child to his parents. His mother passed away when he was three years old. It was due to birth complications. Tokia’s sibling decided to take a shortcut to the Promised Land. His father remarried another woman and allowed Tokia to live with his aunt Kachi because there were outstanding schools in her neighborhood.

Tokia’s stepmother, Sofia Pio, adored him so much, which surprised everyone. She wanted Tokia to live with them, but she had no control over this situation. Tokia’s father always had the final say. Sofia was pleased that Tokia always came to spend the summer break with them. She always waited patiently for the break.

Everybody admired Tokia. His great grandmother, Haboba; his aunt; and his cousins gave Tokia special treatment. Be nice to Tokia because he’s motherless—that was what Great-Grandmother, Ngo’charethey, always said to everyone. Was he satisfied with this kind of treatment? Did he like it? To tell the truth, he could feel the grace and mercy from his grandmother and aunt, and he felt that his cousin always tried to be nice to him, even if they had to fake it sometimes, but they always protected him if one of the boys in his school tried to bully him. He loved to be around them all, especially his cousin Christo. Tokia and Christo were best friends.

However, the only person he always tried to evade was his father. His father was a military man. He treated Tokia like a soldier. There were always orders, and they were consequences if Tokia didn’t follow the orders. Unlike his stepmother, Tokia didn’t like the summer break because he knew the army guy would pick him up to be locked up. It was like a house arrest—no more soccer games or hanging out with friends on the streets. He was treated like a girl. He hated it. His father was more protective because Tokia was his only child. He had good intentions, but Tokia didn’t understand that. He hated being the only child. He prayed that his stepmother could produce children so his father would cut him loose, but that never happened. Tokia’s stepmother gave up after she suffered multiple miscarriages.

Tokia was always depressed during his time with his father. What frustrated him the most was the voice of the children when they were playing soccer or any games outside. Fortunately, Tokia took advantage of his house arrest. He used to save whatever money that he got. Instead of buying candies or ice cream like the other children did, he saved the money to buy something more beneficial to him. That didn’t meant he didn’t like candy or ice cream. He loved them. But during the house arrest, he desired company. Therefore, books were his best friends. That was how he learned and valued reading. Tokia was reading books while children his age stayed away from books during the summer break.

Tokia was ready to go to bed when Great-Grandmother Ngo’charethey called him.

How was your first day of school, son? Ngo’charethey asked this question three times already in her native Nuba language.

Like I told you earlier, Haboba, it was great. I love that school, Tokia replied with a beaming face.

What do you study?

Political science.

"So you dream to be a president one day, huh?

Why not, Haboba?

"The Arab government won’t let you. They will kill you before you even say the word president. Don’t you see how they kill all the black politicians?" Ngo’charethey said. She loved Tokia. She was so kind to him, and she always enjoyed telling him stories.

Great-Grandmother Ngo’charethey was on her bed dying of cancer. Her bed was on the backyard of their home, which gave her the last chance to watch the full moon and the stars on the sky.

Sit here, she instructed, and Tokia compliantly sat on her favorite seat, which she never allowed anyone to put their buttocks on. Tokia was so blessed to have his buttocks on that seat that night. Perhaps she only allowed him to sit there because he desired to learn about the history of the kingdom of Kush, which she took pleasure to do so. He gave his great-grandmother an ear.

Son, no one but the desert and the savanna could teach the black people what the truth was because the Arab invaders destroyed the history of the black people. The land of Kush didn’t survive the destruction, but the true divine spirit of the kingdom lived forever. The Sirocco winds in the desert of the great kingdom of Kush witnessed how the people of Kush were the strongest and the most powerful people until the world began to alter, and the warriors grew restless. No one had any clue whatsoever why they named their kingdom after their father, Kush. Do you know who Kush is? Ngo’charethey asked, and Tokia nodded. Tokia wanted to say something, but she continued talking, A precious fact that was always taken for granted by many people was that the universe was born when the Great Creator made the haven, earth, water, animals, birds, and everything else. He made the man on his own image. That man was black. The Creator named him Adam and his significant other named Eve. They lived… Ngo’charethey started snoring without finishing what she was saying. Tokia covered her body well with her favorite sheet that she made by herself.

Good night, Haboba, Tokia said after he kissed her on her forehead and headed to his bed to get some sleep.

Tokia was a black Sudanese man who wasn’t satisfied with what the Arab government was feeding him in school. He didn’t buy their lies about the history of Sudan. Tokia understood that his history didn’t begin with the invasion of the Arabs to his kingdom as the textbooks suggested. He was dying to know about the history of his own people before the Arabs invasion of his kingdom. There was no one but his dying great-grandmother, Ngo’charethey, who told him the truth about the destruction of the black history.

At six on Wednesday morning, Tokia woke up to go to work. He was very tired. It was a typical day at work, then he went to attend his evening classes. After the classes were over, Tokia was waiting outside for Professor Sabit. Professor Sabit was ten minutes late, which didn’t bother Tokia, because he took advantage of that short period of time to take a nap. It was a long day already.

Sorry for being late, Professor Sabit apologized, shutting the door. I had a quick meeting with one of my students, which just took longer than I planned.

That’s okay. At least I took a good nap because I was a little bit tired, Tokia said.

Had a busy day at work, huh? Professor Sabit chuckled.

Yeah, kinda, Tokia said with a big smile on his face. He remembered his conversation with his great-grandmother last night. Tokia told him about it, and Professor Sabit couldn’t agree more.

"You know, Tokia, The kingdom of Kush and its army were like a solid rock. There was no power in this