Gateways of Bahdur
Remote to the walls of intelligence, a civilization is defined without a typographical position
Entrance to the society is marked with long, gargantuan red gateways that extend high
High as if touching Ursa Major’s feet, detailed with “titrala”, the land’s logographic language
This is the society of Bahdur, hidden behind vegetated forests and the sounds of animals
Led by the group of female warriors: the Arahi; fearless, commanding, voluptuous
Warriors’ robes are made of silk and their faces are hidden by veils, detailed in expressive titrala
Some warriors teach children the art of fighting called “crubala”, and others teach the art of pharmacy called “pushtala”
The Arahi are descendants of an ancient military group called “Quillogo o da Kiroza” meaning “Maw of the Beast”
Their blood is said to contain more iron, which makes them more muscular than the average citizen
Arahi warriors hunt for food and protect the society from dangerous animals and invaders
To travel throughout Bahdur, little boats can be taken to roam the city’s canals
The water that runs in the canals and around the city is purple
The water has medicinal abilities and allows citizens to travel quickly when added with “akaginite” in the canals
Long ago, it’s said invaders came into Bahdur and tried to learn the civilization’s secrets
They were planning to destroy the city and take the water to their home countries
Luckily, the Arahi stopped their plan, and as punishment, dumped the invaders into the volcano
Supposedly, an age of prosperity came, where many crops were grown and children were born
Nowadays, a sacrifice is given to the volcano “Untaniho” in the form of food or criminals marked with the death penalty
Men are responsible for religious preservation, culinary arts, and building construction
You can see some of the men cook delicacies fresh, like “Urmatmu”
Juicy mangos are diced, charred over a fire, and layered with date apple chutney
Rice gets added with chili peppers, capsicum, and lamb meat, accented by cumin powder
The mango and the lamb rice get combined into a crunchy, huge lettuce wrap
Some citizens dare themselves and try to eat the Urmatmu while it’s on fire, a fiery challenge
The Gateways of Bahdur open to a mysterious place where no man has gone and come back
If bravery is but an ounce within you, maybe you can visit the island and make it out alive
Copyright ©
Prineh Lochawala
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