The Kokota: the elders’ technique

In the Ultimes Griots universe, the kokota is a high-level ancestral technique. It consists of concentrating all of the body’s energy into a hooked finger raised above the fist.

It looks simple, but mastering it takes years of training and hard work. To perfect the power of this technique, several factors come into play. These include, among others:

• aerodynamics
• Brute strength
• the angle of attack
• the anatomy of the head (knowing where the nerves are)
• experience (elders are the most experienced at using the kokota without hurting themselves)

Characteristics of the Kokota

The kokota technique usually targets the middle of the head or the nerves of the temple. There are several variants, but the flaming kokota remains the most feared. It is an attack that generates more than 1800°C at the point of impact. In chapter 4 of The Awakening of the Jeli you can see the impact of Mbobog’s kokota on the ground when he attacks the beast.

This technique is widely used in the coastal kingdoms, where the elders use it to crack coconuts. It is said that the first mountain of brotherly tears was carved with kokota strikes by 9 initiates. However, this should be taken with a grain of salt, since the same feat is attributed to the song of the griot KUMAMASA.

As powerful as it is, a poorly executed kokota can have serious consequences for the one who uses it, depending on the target. Some trained heads are kokota-proof and can fracture the hand of whoever uses the technique.

There you go, now you know as much as we do about the kokota. As the Ultimes Griots adventure unfolds, we will reveal the wonders and secrets of this imaginary world. Get ready to live in our world. Hotep!