Suwakensudan 1883. Six long years have passed since Bakiita was abducted from her village. Abused and sold several times, she now finds herself at the age of 14, enslaved by the cruelest people she has ever known. But are her fortunes about to change? The Saints Adventures of Faith and Courage Josephine Bakiita, Episode 2, The Slav Listen to all the episodes and discover new shows at TheSaintsPodcast.com I take you now, sisters, to my most hearted days of slavery. After being bought and sold many times over, I found myself in the house of General Salim Aksoy of the Turkish Army. In truth, he was a real mousey man. The real cruelty came from his wife, Ayla. It was this woman who insisted upon my keeping the sarcastic nickname that my kid not by giving to me. Bakiita means fortunate, you see. That I'm used to to no end. Bakiita, Bakiita come here at once. Hi, Ab, girl. Forgive me, mistress. I came as quickly as you said all morning to complete the detest I gave you. And it appears that you still have much to do. Why is this? Well, I was admiring the sun you see and I... Ah! What did I send you out to do this morning, Bakiita? Tend the garden, mistress. And why is that? Because you have guests coming. And we'll sit out there, gocking at the sun, ensure that the garden is ready for when they arrive. No, mistress. Then what would make you think that even a moment of such behavior is acceptable? It isn't, mistress. I apologize. You will be done within the hour of your own. And don't expect to be fed once you are. Oh, mama. I don't think I can bear this for much longer. I will pause my story here for a brief moment. I have something I fear I shall show to all of you. Sister Lucia, would you lend me a hand in undoing my habit? Oh, I... Of course, mother. There were many such encounters with my mistress over the years and many of them far, far with. Oh, mother. A woman skilled in a cruel form of tattooy was often brought to the house. She would paint patterns upon my skin, cut with a razor along the lines and pour soap in the wounds. My face was spared, but 144 of these patterned scars ornamented my body. The pain of each was so excruciating, I often thought that I might die. But I share this not to shock you. I mean only to emphasize that even as I endure these glimpses of hell, God had not abandoned me. No, sister. He had destined me for better things. What do you mean left behind? The sultan has developed very strong feelings in regards to slavery, Ila. It's a much more complicated matter than it was when we left. Then we'll not be going. Don't be ridiculous. I'm a general of the Turkish army. It's not within my power to make such refusals. She was purchased legally, Selim, paid for exorbitantly with my own money. With my own money. And she belongs to me whether here or in Turkey. That kind of reasoning won't make a bit of difference and you'd know it. That's it then. We pick up, sail off and leave her to run free. Certainly not. We have two options. Number one, propose to her the notion of returning home with us as a paid servant. I would rather become a servant myself than pay her for work she's hardly fit to do. Then the only other option is to sell her before we depart. She'd likely refuse us anyway and seek work elsewhere, ungrateful wretch. Then best get our money's worth for her now. Agreed? Just see that you bargain for more than the little that she's worth. Oh my. Now this meeting is a very important one, girl. So listen closely. Yes, sir. An Italian council, a rather industrious man by the name of Linyani, has expressed interest in purchasing you. To that end, I expect you to be on your absolute best behavior when he arrives. Of course, sir. My voyage is days away and I plan to leave this cafe with the matter settled. So you must make a glowing impression. I won't embarrass you, sir. I should hope not. You'd be glad to be free of... ...to become acquainted with a new mistress, I suppose. It really makes no difference to me, sir. Aha. General Oxoie. Ah, Ambassador Linyani, I'm so pleased you could spare the time. I'm always available for a little business arrangement. This must be the girl. Yes, this is Pakita. Bonjour, no, Srina. Bonjour, no ambassador. Why don't we sit and pass a little Linyani? Would you like a cup of coffee or is there not a seat for Pakita? A seat for... Oh, I... I'm happy to stand. Nonsense. Run to the back and ask one of the stuff to provide an extra chair, would you? Of course, Sr. A very sharp young lady, polite, attentive, so it would seem. I couldn't help but notice the scars. Very strange. Very many. Yes, well, you know the native tribes. Strange, strange, customs are... well, custom. Aha. They only had this stool. You don't mind? Not at all, Sr. Yes, it's quite good enough. Sit. Now, why don't we discuss... Young lady, I was just asking the general about your many scars. As soon as the new customs is it not? Um, it is, Sr. Yes. You seem unsure. Well, it is a custom. But not in this case, I judge. Um, no, Sr. Would you tell me truthfully where they did come from? Oh, please don't ask me. Why not? Because I wouldn't lie, but I don't want to discuss anyone either. I see. Well, I see no reason for us to drag this on any longer than necessary. But you will need just a life. I'm afraid my time is very limited to begin with. And Bacadro Lemiani, if we could just perhaps discuss... Bacata, I'd like it very much if you would come and work in my household. Really? Really? Absolutely. Would you like that? Whether she likes it or not makes no real difference. In fact, it makes a great deal of difference to me, general. Would you like that, Bacata? In all those hard-earned first years of slavery, no one had ever fought on my behalf. Not until this man. Can you imagine my joy? Of course I was happy to go with him. Though his kindness took much getting used to. What is it? What's happened? I don't know, signore. She knocked the vase from itself, and then fell into panic and collapsed in tears. Ah, let me speak with her. Bacata? No, no. Sir, I'm so sorry. Bacata? It was a stupid accident. Stupid. I swear to you. It won't happen again. Please forgive me. Please. Oops! Oh, clumsy me. I suppose we're both in trouble now. Bacata, my girl. It's just a vase. A piece of pottery. Cheap and replaceable. Can you clean up the mess? Yes, sir. Then that's all you need to worry about. Clean it up, find the replacement, and carry on as you were. Yes? Yes, sir. And fill it with flowers. We have guests in half an hour. Of course, sir. I do not know what the ambassador paid for me, but he treated me as if I had caused him a fortune. Soon came the siege of Khaddom. When it became clear that the presence of any foreign and ambassador in the city was unfavorable, Senyare Linyani quickly made arrangements to return home. I'm afraid it's out of the question, Makita. Sir, you're the first kind master I've known. That is precisely the issue. I cannot be master to you in Italy. Our laws are not your laws. I don't want to be your slave, Senyare. I want to be your servant. I'll work with you wherever you go. You don't even have to pay me. Don't be silly, Bikita. Of course, I'd be happy to pay you. But there's the matter of the trip itself. Voyages are long and unpleasant, not to mention expensive. Take me with you and I'll work freely until my debt has been paid. Oh, Bikita, you may never be able to return. Do you understand what that means? Go with me and you might never see your family again. I'll once again leave the choice to you. But keep that in mind. If you stay, you will be free to return to your village. Why did I not take his advice? Why did I not stay and find my way home? The truth is that although I missed my family terribly, I felt bold to go with him. A movement of the spirit akin to my great desire to know the maker of the moon and the stars. And so I went. Land the whole! Land the whole! Genoa inside of the star compound! Bikita, Bikita, come and see. Oh, have we met it? Come and look for yourself. Oh, oh my goodness. Welcome to Italy, Bikita. Hi, this is Peter Atkinson from the Mary Baggers. Tune in to episode three, The Servant, to hear the next installment of Josephine Bikita. Listen to all the episodes and discover news shows at the saintspodcast.com. The Mary Baggers is the entertainment division of relevant radio.
