Ekewane knew that on her old island there were different classes of people. She belonged to the Ramaoide, the elite members of the tribe. Then there were the Enename, the middle class who generally owned a great deal of land and had a high degree of influence over people; but could not make decisions in regard to the whole tribe. And lastly, there were the Sitio. These were ‘slaves’ or serf-life positions -people without land or prestige who worked the vegetable gardens for her parents and other high-ranking members. The Sitio were only allowed a small number of coconuts and pandanus from the trees belonging to the different families.
As a child she played with all the children in the village. As she became a little older, she could not remember when or why this had happened; her friends belonged to the two higher-level ranking classes.
Here on this new island she wondered if things would remain the same. She had always accepted the way things were back home, but now she wondered why. Ekewane did not ask her parents these questions, tribal laws or order were never questioned.
She had noticed a boy a little older than herself, always looking at her from a distance and often following her. He was only a few years older, but as he was tall and muscular, he looked much older. His name was Emarr, the same as her friend that had been on another canoe. She also noticed that the other members of her tribe treated this family differently.
Ekewane had made a new friend her own age. She had known Eiru on her old island, but never played or worked with her before because they both had other friends. Eiru was a little taller than her and very pretty. Eiru had two older siblings who were both married and remained behind on their island.
Ekewane and Eiru worked together helping the women. They collected shellfish, wove mats and baskets, scraped the coconut flesh to make milk and oil. They had learnt to catch the octopus from the holes on the reef by wriggling their fingers in the hole, and when the octopus grabbed hold, they would quickly pull it out. At first they were frightened and had difficulty in pulling them out at the right time, but slowly they improved and would often catch them. The girls quickly became good friends; they shared a small hut, and would lie awake late at night talking about their old island and the friends they left behind.
The girls had discovered a small niche cut into the limestone near the reef. The overhanging branches added to its attraction and seclusion; it had become their special place. At night before retiring to their hut, they would sit there watching the ever-changing sea. This was at the same time the other members of their tribe relaxed after their day’s activities.
One night, as the girls sat watching the younger children play and the adults were sitting around the fire talking, Emarr was sitting away from everyone. He was always alone, Ekewane felt sorry for him and motioned him to join them. Eiru frowned but stayed quiet. Emarr came over and sat down quietly on the ground near them but did not speak.
Ekewane as usual started talking about her favorite topic; the mysterious dark mountain. She had become fascinated and drawn to the dark hovering silhouette, and often wondered what lived in the thick dark forest. Eiru as usual shuddered at the thought; they had often heard those frightening screams, and although Emanear reassured them that these spirits would not harm them, they were still afraid.
The two girls talked and Emarr sat there quietly listening. The moon was high in the sky and the cool breeze felt wonderful after the heat of the day. When they noticed that the adults were leaving their fires and going to sleep in the huts, the girls stood up and walked together to the hut they shared. Emarr also headed along the beach to where he slept.
That night, and many others that followed, Ekewane dreamt that she was walking through the forest. She was not afraid and felt happy and free to wander, just like she felt when she was home on her island. So one morning she made up her mind; she would go into the forest and climb only a little way up the mountain.
“Nobody will look for me during the day; everyone will be busy with different tasks . . . I will not ask Eiru, because she will be too scared . . . I will be back before the sun goes down, and if I bring back bird eggs or other food, my parents will be proud of me,” she reasoned to herself.
But it was not easy to escape from Eiru. It was not until Eiru’s mother called her that she made her escape. Ekewane had only walked a little distance when she heard footsteps running after her.
“Eiru go back!”
“No! I know where you are going, you can’t go, it’s dangerous,” cried Eiru.
But Ekewane kept walking. “If you want to come, come, but don’t go back and tell the tribe.”
So the two girls set off through the dense undergrowth. Ekewane kept her axe close by, she felt braver holding it tight.