Chapter 1 – Taken
Foni Kansala,
Kiang West,
The Gambia, West Africa
circa 1710
Soft moonlight kissed the early dawn, its silvery glow bathing giant leaves, casting shadows across the forest floor.
Stillness reigned, but for the silhouette of a lithe African boy as he slipped quietly among the fronds.
Jayvyn inhaled the sweet morning air tinged with mist emanating from the Bitang Bolon—a narrow branch of the Gambia River teeming with fish. The moist, cool flora of the forest floor invigorated the bottoms of his feet as they lightly touched down. He never traveled far from his home, but this area was frequented by the people of his small village, and he knew it well.
Every morning, Jayvyn rose early for his morning run. He needed to be ready for the futampaf, the ceremonial rite of passage required of all Ajamatau. Upon passing this test, he’d officially transition into manhood, becoming a fully-fledged member of his tribe. He’d never witnessed the futampaf and couldn’t know when it would happen. He’d only heard the
Peter D Brown, Author 