Binti

After Binti wakes, she goes to speak with Okwu. They both go to the lake and swim into the water. Binti is profoundly aware that if her people see her without her otjize, they will regard her as insane. Binti watches as Okwu swims in the lake with shining baby snails. Binti finds peace for the first time since coming home. When Binti returns to the Root, she trees to calm herself. Just then, her edan begins to hover, and it breaks into different pieces; it is composed of a solid gold ball and its metallic casing.

As Binti attempts to put the edan back together, she sees the Night Masquerade outside of the window. The Masquerade points at Binti and speaks to her. This interaction thoroughly rattles her, as she recalls the Himba lore: “Only men and boys were said to even have the ability to see the Night Masquerade and only those who were heroes of Himba families got to see it” (155). Binti’s father and older brother rush into her room, unable to understand why Binti could see the Night Masquerade. In the commotion, Binti’s younger sister, Peraa, says that there are “Desert People” outside their home.