MFINDA MANGA VOL.1, CHAPTER 1 (INTRO)

In the era of fire, the Kingdom of Kongo is at a crossroads and a 13 year old girl named NASAMBI feels the fate of her community rests on her shoulders.

Nasambi is descended from the NGANGA, powerful spiritual leaders in the Kongo who wield ancestral magic of the Kongo Cosmogram. The Nganga act as communicators between the World Above (the world of humans) and the World Below (the world of spirits).

An ancient forest called the MFINDA is the barrier between these worlds and it is in peril.

For each primordial tree cut down, sections of forest set ablaze for clearing, or spiritual sites destroyed to make way for a modern way of life- the connection between humans and the spirits of nature is slowly severed.

Nasambi is angry witnessing her home change before her eyes, an agonizing grief for a world you love descending into darkness. Yet a torch is being passed to young Nasambi as she accompanies the Nganga who travel to the King’s Palace at Mbaza City. Their mission is clear- convince the King of Kongo to stop his mercenaries from burning the sacred forest.

This is a defining moment for Nasambi in her training to become an Nganga. She thinks, “Am I strong enough to sway a king? I’m still a child…but I have no choice. I have to succeed or there will be more death.”

The truth is, Nasambi cannot do this alone, even though she’s felt alone for as long as she can remember. A crippling result of the responsibility that has been placed on her. Her spirit cat Bwami and her magical grandmother Mama Toto have been her only guides.

Will Nasambi find a way to stop the destruction of the MFINDA before it is too late?

Will she find friends to help her along her way?

What will be the fate of Nasambi and the MFINDA.