Long ago, perhaps as far back as 125,000 years, modern people began the long slow trek toward civilization. Around them roam lions, leopards, hyenas and other predators. Massive herds of elephants, buffalo plus many other animals constantly threaten their very survival.
Immediately after undergoing her initiation into adulthood, Umfazi is forced to go on her solitary journey to prove her worthiness. Shortly after her departure a volcano erupts killing everyone in her band. Left alone she struggles to survive in a hostile world.
Many mountain ridges away Anbessa, who is helping lead his band out of an area devastated by a severe drought, sees the far off eruption and vows to seek the fire that ate the mountain. It is many moons (months) before he finally sets out on his quest. He arrives just in time to help Umfazi who is having a baby.
As the baby grows, a special bond develops between the little girl, who is called Caraga, and Anbessa. Perhaps he is the first man to hold a baby tenderly in his arms and experience that special feeling of a father toward a child. However, as Caraga matures conflicts between the two escalate.
After a few moons they realize that they must seek out other people. As they travel down the river that flows the wrong way, (the Nile) a pride of lions stalks them. Narrowly escaping the large carnivores they meander along the river looking for a safe shelter. Moons later they encounter a large elephant herd and the leading matriarch rushes to the attack.
It is many birthing seasons (years) before they do find another group of people. Rajul, Yalda, Isha and Paga are the sole survivors of a massive buffalo stampede that wiped out their whole band. Joining forces the two bands continue the trek down the river.
One day, Anbessa holds Umfazi in his arms and asks her what she calls the feeling she has for Caraga. When she tells Anbessa that mothers have called the feelings love, she is startled when Anbessa tells her that he loves her. Men have never told women that they love them.
It is when Paga dies that the whole band is shocked by what Anbessa does. He tells them that Paga will be buried and that they will then carry her memory in their hearts.
