The Manhood ceremony

The tent was getting dark, and the guard lit a oil lamp that hung from the ridge pole and sat back down. Calvo could hear the village calming down after what must have been dinner. In a short while, he heard drums steadily thrumming through the village. The guard smiled at him, knowing what was coming, even though Calvo didn't.

After some time, the drums became louder and more synchronized, eventually making one loud boom about every ten seconds. In the background, Calvo could hear the villagers starting to shout. The drums and the voices became deafening until the old female elder stepped into the tent, carrying a gourd covered in feathers and leather strips. The drums and chanting stopped suddenly, leaving a echo in Calvo's ears.

The elder held the gourd out to him. The motion let him hear the liquid in it slosh. Then she tilted it up toward her mouth, putting her lips on the opening. Then she offered it to him again. He was supposed to drink from it.

Calvo took the gourd from her and drank from it. The elder smiled as he downed the bitter tasting drink. He had to stop and catch his breath, for the drinking gourd was quite full and it was brackish and difficult to swallow.

He handed the empty gourd back to the female elder. She grinned at him and offered her hand to him. He took it and she led him out of the tent.