A woman reported missing by her family in Texas has been found in the Scottish Borders, living in a tent with a self-proclaimed 'lost African tribe'. The camp, set up in woodland near Jedburgh, is operated by the Kingdom of Kubala, who claim they are reclaiming land stolen from their ancestors 400 years ago.
The group consists of King Atehene, 36, his wife Queen Nandi, 43, and their handmaiden Asnat, also known as Lady Safi. It has emerged that Asnat is Kaura Taylor, a missing woman from the United States. In a defiant online post, she said she was never missing but had fled an abusive family.
The trio insist they are a lost Hebrew tribe and that the king is a direct descendant of the Messiah. King Atehene, who previously performed as an opera singer, said: 'We live a very simple life of returning to innocence. We connect to nature. We connect to the trees around us.'
The encampment has drawn the attention of authorities. A spokesperson for Scottish Borders Council confirmed they had been working with Police Scotland and served a notice to eject on 30 July, after which the group vacated the council-owned site but relocated to private land. Police also attended a fire at a campsite near Edinburgh Road, Jedburgh, on 7 August.
The group claim they do not recognise British law and allege their tents were torched. Queen Nandi issued a statement online, declaring: 'We are the Lost Tribes of Hebrews and have returned to claim Scotland as our homeland.'
