Julian Pencilliah
Finally, the much anticipated, mystical, ethnic-styled envelope arrived. Black, roped with twine, decorated with feathers and African beads, it evoked in us a childlike sense of embarking upon a treasure hunt. We had been invited, along with five other couples, to join billionaire Sir Richard Branson and his wife, Joan, for a weekend at their private game reserve, Ulusaba. Ulusaba meaning “place of little fear”, was aptly named to remind us of the native warriors who stood guard on a mountaintop here hundreds of years ago, alerting their tribe of potential danger or enemies. Ironically, as we jet away from the city to this “place of little fear”, and as we fly over the vast expanse of untouched beauty and untamed beasts, we can’t help but feel an uncontrollable sense of fear gripping us. We set foot on the hot, sandy runway, hearts beating faster and harder till they seemed to beat as one with the tribal drums that welcomed us. Smiling Africans raise a cloud of crimson dust with their rhythmically barefoot dancing. Their high pitched songs of joy resonate within our very soul. I gaze at faces filled with delight and pride as we connect as one. Throughout this warm welcome we can’t help wondering whether we are being watched. Periodically, we dart precautionary glances towards the bushes nearby in a feeble attempt to be one step ahead of a predator, for this is the land where the Big Five roam freely against the sun-drenched primal African sun. One can’t help but feel a sense of belonging in Africa, a sense of origin as though we were at the very heart of the world.
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