Bwampini
A. E. Dziko

[11.01]

The hearts of all were at peace, even though some of them had experienced what it is like to be a pig, but these thoughts were supplanted by the gifts and the freedom that they had received from Namatsenga. They were all aglow in those truly admirable clothes, and they did not think of anything but dancing, eating, drinking and story-telling, basi.

[11.02]

As their ulendo continued, there were heard sounds of flutes, horns and drums; there were heard too songs that made even Muvina to amaze. Bwampini heard them too. On reflection, he remembered what he had heard once from a certain friend in conversation. That friend had said, ‘To the North of the country of Ngitau there is a tribe of very large people, their legs like those of birds, with their claws, but feeding on others. They deceive others by calling with beautiful songs.’ He remembered that many people had been killed because they were not clever enough.

[11.03]

There was really no remedy but to stop their ears with wax. Before those songs had ended, Bwampini advised them, his companions, of this and he asked them all to stop their ears with wax. As for himself, Bwampini, he asked them not to stop his own ears with wax but to lash him fast to the boat.

[11.04]

It was done. As they continued together, they drew near to those beautiful songs. Because their ears were closed with wax, the captains were like the deaf; even though the sweet songs grew louder and became even more attractive, they paid no attention and just paddled the boat faster. The air was filled with those beautiful songs. Bwampini wished to untie himself so that he might see with his own eyes and witness the beauty that was being sung; moreover, who were these people singing these songs?

[11.05]

‘Please, Chonde, untie me!’ Bwampini begged, but there was no one who would untie him. By good luck they held fast. At length, they untied Bwampini and praised him for his wisdom.

[11.06]

Their ulendo was almost at its end. Muvina took his mngoli and recalled to them the great feast at Namatsenga’s house. He sang also a song recalling the birth of Paramount Chief Zimeze, when the people delighted. All their faces sparkled with joy.

[11.07]

While this was happening, they saw Ndomondo, father of Chikutumbwe, and at once he sent forth a terrible wind, which whipped up enormous waves. There broke a great storm. The waters swelled terribly. The two boats were tossed about and the people aboard were thrown here and there. Their hearts skipped a beat, myuu!, at the same time.

[11.08]

‘Hold on tight!’ Bwampini shouted, warning his companions. All knew that the Azimu were angry at them, especially Ndomondo. Chikutumbwe had spoken the truth, but what else could they have done? Both boats were hurled into the heaven, then they crashed down; both were completely shattered.

[11.09]

They all drowned and some were torn apart, balala, their body parts scattered. They all died except for Bwampini alone, who held on fast to a plank that was floating there. His face was swollen and indeed, his whole body was broken. He could not do anything, his wisdom failed him. He simply drifted in whichever direction the plank floated.

[12.01]

On a certain shore there lived a certain woman, whom Tinjiwa had banished from his kingdom in Ntheradi. Her name was Gingiswa. She lived alone in a cave, but it was a terribly beautiful cave. All around lay her little flowers, little drawings, which she had made herself, and many utensils. Most of the time she loved to sew, and when she was weary, she played her mkangala, a beautiful instrument, crafted with skill. One day, when everything had wearied her, she went to the shore just to take fresh air. When she had reached there, she stood fast in amaze.

[12.02]

She saw a handsome man, asleep. She could not understand how he had got there. On closer inspection she saw that his face was swollen, his body was lacerated all over, his clothes were ragged and filled with rubbish and seaweed. She shook him but he did not wake up, but he was certainly not dead, because he was still breathing.

[12.03]

And because Bwampini had become very thin on account of all the troubles he had faced, he was very light, so that Gingiswa had no trouble in carrying him. After reaching her house, she laid him down in a good place and covered him with a chitenje and a blanket. After he had warmed up a little, he looked around a little, although his eyes were blear, and he realised that he was in someone’s house. When Gingiswa saw this, she helped him up and invited him to take a bath. When he had bathed and applied fragrant lotion, Gingiswa gave him radiant garments to put on. He put them on and was transformed, even though he was still weak.

[12.04]

Gingiswa admired him very much and she thought in her heart that she had found an opportunity for marriage, but these things she kept in her heart. When she had prepared fragrant food and drink to accompany, Gingiswa, with all her skill, asked Bwampini to come closer. They exchanged stories of every kind. Indeed, ayi, they talked, ate and drank also. The woman who had made him welcome, moni, asked him where he had come from.

[12.05]

Bwampini explained detail by detail. His home was the country of the Angitau, where he had come from, and with Paramount Chief Zimeze he had fought nkhondo at Gangire. From there he had left with his men, in their numbers, to return home, but he had gone a separate way from all his companions. He emphasized that he had faced bad luck of every sort, and all his companions too had met only bad luck: some were killed by snake, others by Baboon People, others yet by Chikutumbwe. Many of those who had been with him were lost in the lake. Now he remained alone, without a companion, not even one, and he had lost hope of seeing home again.

[12.06]

Gingiswa listened with great curiosity: the story was beautiful but full of sorrow. She consoled Bwampini, pepa, and she assured him that he would have good luck and return home. Since it was late at night, both now went to sleep, each in his own bed.

[12.07]

At dawn Gingiswa arose early and she prepared water and cooked breakfast, just as do young girls and married women, hastening about in their families. Bwampini, when he had risen, went to bathe in the bathroom, and he returned a new person. Gingiswa called him to table and they began to eat.

[12.08]

At this time Bwampini took no delight in eating. He remembered all the evil that he had seen, and he emphasized that to die at such a bitter time would be no bad thing. Immediately, Gingiswa realised that her companion was sunk in deep sorrow. If Bwampini were just an ordinary man, this sorrow could have killed him, but as for a wise man… Death, insult, bad luck, none of these, make him to lose hope. Now Bwampini felt the pain, ululu, in his heart, which we cannot explain.

[12.09]

That woman tried to take her mkangala and she played music to make one delight in life, but she could not please Bwampini. She tried to sing for him with her beautiful voice, surpassing the mkangala that she was playing, but she failed. Bwampini told her that he wished to sleep, and he went and slept, because he felt pain in his body. Time passed and Bwampini recovered his strength, and his wounds and his physical pain of every sort ceased, but sorrow ate his heart, and gnawed him over again, day by day. Gingiswa failed to find a way to please him.

[12.10]

Often Bwampini liked to go to the shore of the lake and to think of home. He liked to think of all the Angitau, of Zimeze, of the great nkhondo at Huwa. When he thought of what had befallen his companions on their ulendo, he would cry alway. The greatest sorrow seized him when he thought of his wife, Namasinkho. This was after twenty years had passed. He had left his wife when she was still a namwali without child. Would he not find her already married to some other devil?

[12.11]

A long time ago, when his wife was still a young girl, she displayed attractive behaviour; as she reached chinamwali, and came of marriageable age, her behaviour grew ever more attractive. But perhaps because women sometime cannot be trusted… You can’t know what is happening behind your back.

[12.12]

While Bwampini was thinking about this, Gingiswa came with sympathy to keep him company. Conversation flowed. She urged Bwampini to dream no more of his home. For he had already found a woman and should just marry her, basi. ‘Do you not want to marry a girl from the Realm of the Azimu?’ she asked. Truth be told, Gingiswa was very beautiful; even Namadanitsa could not compare with her. Indeed, in the whole of Sachokeka there was no woman to surpass her in beauty. Even Namasinkho’s beauty could have gone into Gingiswa’s one hundredfold, even more than that.

[12.13]

Bwampini replied to Gingiswa. ‘Listen. Even if you are beautiful and even if you could tell me that, after marrying you, I would not die… I would not marry you. Sachokeka is my home, so I must take a wife from Sachokeka. Stop troubling yourself. I already have a wife, Namasinkho, mine own. She is waiting for me now.’

[12.14]

Even though this reply was abrupt, Gingiswa did not stop urging Bwampini to marry her, and Bwampini kept turning her down. Most days Bwampini would cry and complain.

[12.15]

Tinjiwa, when he saw this, sent Mapiko to tell Gingiswa that she should not hinder Bwampini from going home. One evening, when Bwampini was at the shore, Mapiko appeared to Gingiswa and delivered the message from Ntheradi.

[12.16]

‘Why do Tinjiwa and the rest of you keep stalking me? You have already banished me. Why can’t you just let me be? Let me do what I desire!’ Gingiswa complained and cried.

‘Complain not. It is not I who say this. Just obey, because if you refuse, you could find yourself in trouble.’ When he had said this, Mapiko departed. When Bwampini returned, Gingiswa told him that now he could prepare to go home.

[12.17]

The poor man was delighted, even though his mind was darkened with anxiety at thought of a solitary ulendo. Gingiswa lent him an axe and other materials for making a boat. With joy filling his cheeks, he entered the forest and saw a tree, a big one. He cut it down. Work started on making the boat, then it was completed.

[12.18]

Gingiswa, even though she was not happy about it, gave him food, drink, clothes and many other gifts, and she escorted him to the shore. After they had said farewell, with all haste Bwampini set off on his solitary ulendo home.

[12.19]

Tinjiwa saw Bwampini and he pitied him. He sent Mapiko to escort him as far as his own country. Mapiko took gifts to reward Bwampini’s endurance and the strength of his heart. These gifts came from different Azimu in Ntheradi.

[13.01]

The house of Bwampini was set amidst small hills. The chief’s house was large and very handsome. The chief had many attendants, men and women, even though some had stopped working, supposing that the owner of the house would not return.

[13.02]

When her husband went off to nkhondo, Namasinkho was heavy with child. After some time, she bore a baby boy, and she gave him the name of Uziona, meaning that he was born at a time of hardship. From the time her husband left, the woman’s beauty remained intact. Anybody who saw her thought that she was still a namwali, but she was not, ai. When she saw that time was getting on, her sorrow increased greatly, and she began to think that maybe her husband had died on the way. Uziona grew up and became an upright young man. He knew that his father had gone to fight nkhondo, a long time ago, and he still believed that he would return.

[13.03]

People from Buwa grew tired of waiting for their chief. After ten years had passed, many of them believed that their chief Bwampini would never return. Because of this, many of them began to go astray. Many of them disregarded the law, even though there were ministers and elders occupying the stool, while they waited for Uziona to come of age. As such, many men, handsome, who had the looks of a chief, some from different countries, arrived at the house of Bwampini. They came with wealth and many other things to persuade Namasinkho for her hand in marriage. All desired deeply to marry her. Even though she turned them down, they continued to press her.

[13.04]

As such, the chief’s house had no shortage of alendo. These alendo were eating the food that was stored within the house: the flesh of pigs, goats, cattle, sheep and chicken, also rice. Fruits of every kind, also wine, fragrant and flowing forever. All this continued day by day, so that the store and the wealth of Bwampini decreased little by little, even though it had been great.

[13.05]

Games of every kind were taking place within, many drunkards made noise, they hurled abuse, they even fought each other and destroyed the utensils of the house. The elders and the prime ministers of Buwa informed the men that, if they wished marriage, they should do everything with ulemu, not destroying the owner’s property. But they hissed their contempt, tsonya, and turned their backs.

[13.06]

No one approved of the deeds that were being done in the house of Chief Bwampini. Many wished and desired that the Azimu in Ntheradi, especially Tinjiwa, would come and put to an end this outrage.

[13.07]

The outrage worked by these men also disturbed Namasinkho greatly. On looking at the utensils and stools being destroyed, the destruction of everything in her house, she cried and sobbed in her room.

[13.08]

One day, when the men were eating and some of them were already drunk, she left her room and came where they were eating. She stood on the stairs and said, ‘You sadden me deeply. Even though you are come because of me, you are just destroying the household katundu and utensils. You are destroying my son’s katundu, even though you say that you will pay it back. You have come for marriage, but you will get nothing from me, and the ship has left all of you. You will suffer!’ She spoke and left.

[13.09]

This did not burn the hearts of those who desired marriage, but they just laughed. Their elder, Phakaphaka, strengthened their hearts, saying, ‘All of you that are here, do not lose heart. Don’t you know how women behave? They don’t wish to accept a man on the first attempt. Their wisdom is alway to pretend to reject him, basi. Only a fool loses heart quickly when a girl says, “No, I refuse. Toto, toto.” Tomorrow this woman will be forced until she tells us what today she is not saying. We will require her to tell us. Perhaps one of us will be chosen. If she refuses, we will have to leave this house and to surrender its wealth. Uziona, our little brother, is listening over there.’

[13.10]

After he had spoken, they all clapped hands for him, then Phakaphaka called for food and fragrant drink. There were eating and drinking and making merry. The sound of laughter increased. Those who were outside were heartbroken, because those evil men were consuming the wealth of the owner. The feast continued and Uziona was with them at the banquet. He too was heartbroken at what was happening, but he did not reveal it by his expression.

[13.11]

Tinjiwa pitied Uziona and he sent him a female messenger. While all these people were eating, Uziona saw a beautiful woman, with shining raiment. No one else saw her. This was Ching’aning’ani.

[13.12]

She extended greetings, moni, from Ntheradi, saying, ‘I have been sent by my father Tinjiwa, to let you know that your father is not dead. He is still alive. He is on his way. Tomorrow you will meet him, and this same month, he shall re-enter his chieftainship. Now you shall keep these things in your heart, basi. Do not tell anyone else. When you see a bald mlendo with wrinkles, do not send him away. I am going.’

[13.13]

Thereafter, Uziona felt as if his heart would burst for joy, even though he could not share it with anyone else, including his mother. Forthwith, he called for food and drink. Then he went here and there, talking and making merry with the alendo, even though they were his enemies.

[13.14]

Phakaphaka, who was among those squandering Bwampini’s wealth, wondered greatly at Uziona, not understanding what had made him happy, because, for most of the time, he had drunk and eaten only a little and had been far from cheerful.

[13.15]

‘You are happy today, bwana. What has happened? Is even Uziona getting drunk today?’ Phakaphaka wondered.

Uziona answered him with ulemu, ‘It is good sometime to be happy. Should we die from sorrow because we have no father? It is good sometime to forget.’

‘So you still believe that your father will return?’ Phakaphaka was shocked. ‘Twenty years have passed and you have not lost heart. I heard from a certain friend, and most of the time he does not lie, who told me that your father perished in the storm. It is better now just to forget about it.’

‘Aaah! If that is so, I should now start to mourn his death,’ answered Uziona with a voice full of sorrow.

[14.01]

In Ntheradi too Mapiko had a lot of stories to tell. When he was in the company of his fellow Azimu, he could make them laugh alway. On seeing that Bwampini was filled with great sorrow, he tried to make him forget about it all. He told him many different stories. First of all, he told him the sad news of Paramount Chief Zimeze, who had been killed. On enquiry, Bwampini heard that the paramount, not knowing a thing of what was happening in his house, after nkhondo had ended, wished to enter within his house, but at the door he met a man who was cheating on him with his wife, Nachimasomaso. The man held an axe in his hands. He cast it heavenward and lopped off the head of Paramount Chief Zimeze. This Nachimasomaso had conspired with her adulterous lover.

[14.02]

Bwampini sorrowed greatly, because Paramount Chief Zimeze had been a very good man, but he had the bad luck to marry such a woman. Even long ago, when Nachimasomaso was a namwali, she would play around with every young man, perhaps also giving herself way. Paramount Chief Zimeze, even though he was a chief with a good heart, failed in only one thing, in not listening to the elders, who warned him that this namwali was a fool, eedi, a loose woman [?], a well for every man.

[14.03]

Because of this, Bwampini began to curse the whole tribe of women, saying that, as far as a woman is concerned, her heart is weak, easily led astray and incapable of covenant.

[14.04]

In this he disputed much with Mapiko, who said that there are some women who are crazy for lust, hurrying after men, calling to them and giving themselves away, even to young boys. But there are also (so Mapiko) others who keep covenant, of unshakeable virtue, proper girls, upright women who desire marriage, basi.

[14.05]

Mapiko continued to tell his friend that most of the time men are at fault when they pretend that only women make eyes at others [chimasomaso, cf. Nachimasomaso]. That is a lie, bodza. Faithful men do exist, but there are others who just love to leave their families, to marry here and there, to move around with any woman. Men like these do not make a specific choice. They just embrace any woman, even Mistress Dirty, Mistress Does Not Wish, Mistress Snotty Nose.

[14.06]

Bwampini was blessed, his friend continued, because Namasinkho was one to surpass all other woman and girls in avoiding and resisting lust. Many people fell into dispute intentionally, because they took no steps to avoid deceit and snares. As they talked, the boat was covering a space of water. The hills of Buwa began now to appear.

[14.07]

Bwampini, on hearing his friend’s report, rejoiced, because in his heart he had doubted his wife. He believed that women just wish to change their men, like a headcloth.

[14.08]

Bwampini was indeed blessed, Mapiko continued, because, after twenty years, if Namasinkho had been a different woman, it is likely that she would have married elsewhere and probably would have grandchildren. But Namasinkho did not do that and she awaited her husband.

[14.09]

‘Is my house well?’ Bwampini asked, concerned.

[14.10]

Mapiko explained to his friend that all was not entirely well at his house. There were many men who wished to propose to his wife, but she kept on turning them down. Food and wealth had almost come to an end. All was confusion. It was important that, on reaching his house, he should keep his wits about him.

[14.11]

Mapiko also informed Bwampini that he should not be afraid, because Tinjiwa had promised to protect him from his enemies. Mapiko himself had come to assist until Bwampini reached his own door. He informed him further that there had been born a baby boy at the time when he had left to go to nkhondo, and his name was Uziona. Now Uziona had indeed come of age (msinkhu, cf. Namasinkhu].

[14.12]

On hearing this, Bwampini rejoiced. Even though he had faced many problems in his life, there were also good things. The birth of Uziona was one of the good things. The boat was near the shore of Buwa. When they had drawn the boat ashore, they brought out all the katundu from the boat and put it in a safe place. There was a great katundu, wealth surpassing Bwampini’s wealth of old. Even Paramount Chief Zimeze did not possess such wealth, for the gifts of Tinjiwa were great.

[14.13]

When they had brought out all the katundu, Mapiko told his friend to plan their approach. He began by hiding the katundu. He told him that, for the meantime, it were better if people should not know of his return.  Therefore, Bwampini should turn into an old man. Mapiko turned into a young boy of Buwa.

[14.14]

Straightaway, they both transformed! One was an old man, with wrinkles, the other a young boy. They accompanied each other to Bwampini’s house. Before they had even arrived, they heard the noise of drunk and belching people. The old man was not pleased at what he heard and saw. They both walked and reached the door. They knocked, gogoda. The first to open was Uziona. He saw a young boy and an old man, with wrinkles. On seeing this, he remembered the words of Ching’aning’ani and at once he realised that his father had returned to Buwa.

[14.15]

Everyone was busy about the feast: food and fragrant drink were served. Uziona ordered a plate, so that the alendo should eat from it, but some elders were not pleased at that. Those fools were eating the food that should have been reserved for the children of chiefs. Bwampini ate and drank with fear. When he looked outside [at the bwalo] it was already dark without, yet the people inside the house danced, ate, drank and made merry. Since it was dark, those that wanted to sleep went to sleep. Bwampini asked for a place to sleep with his friend, Mapiko. All that he asked for he received, and he went to sleep with vigilance, tcheru.

[15.01]

The previous night, dreams had been killing Namasinkho. She had dreamt that her husband had returned. The following morning, when she arose, her strength failed, and her whole body was weak. There was no strength in her. Were her dreams true? At dawn, when Bwampini arrived, just like the day before, with Mapiko, the hearts of all in Buwa began to pound wildly, thithithi. The heavens pounded with thunder, gugululu, and there were flashes [mbamba] and lightnings [zing’aning’ani], but the sun continued to shine fiercely. Great fear seized the elderly, mothers, young girls, young boys, sheep, goats, cows, chickens, birds and all animals that live in water and on land.

[15.02]

Those men who desired marriage with Namasinkho were also afraid, but they did not stop eating and drinking after the hour had come to break their fast. Bwampini, since he had already been informed by his friend, Mapiko, of the ceremony that would happen that day, understood and told his son, Uziona, even though he was not fully aware, that today was the day of justice.

[15.03]

Tinjiwa had sent Mziisi, Mbamba and Ching’aning’ani to punish those men, insolent and greedy, who were squandering another man’s wealth.

[15.04]

Those that looked closely to the heavens, at Ntheradi, saw three birds, very large ones, the size of dogs, approaching from afar. Those with ears heard, like the rushing of a great wind, the sound of thunder, gugululu, strikes and lightnings [zing’aning’ani], louder and louder. Wise men understood that the Azimu wished to punish the country of Buwa, but they did not know the reason why.

[15.05]

Those who had started to eat stopped eating, out of fear. Some tried to eat but their hands shook and they missed their mouths. The birds landed atop the house of Bwampini. Those that saw them ran away, because they had come in wrath. Straightaway, the birds turned into people, two female and one male, and they all carried swords.

[15.06]

Thereupon, they disappeared, invisible to human eyes. All three entered within the house but they could not be seen by those men. Bwampini and Uziona, even though they were people, had been granted power to see with eyes of a Mzimu for that moment alone. Mbamba barred every door fast so that no one who was there could escape; the windows too were barred fast. Thereafter, Mziisi, queen and commander of nkhondo, cried out furiously and startled all the young men and the whole city of Buwa.

[15.07]

‘Evil and greedy people, you will suffer, you who have destroyed the great wealth of Bwampini. You have consumed his food; you have troubled his wife, Namasinkho. Today the owner has come, he is here, but you have not recognised him! Because of your folly, today you will receive the reward of your lust and madness.’

[15.08]

Immediately, there were lightnings [zing’aning’ani]; strikes and flashes [mbamba] cracked terribly. At the same time Mziisi, Mbamba and Ching’aning’ani crushed the heads of everyone there. They all died!

[15.09]

‘People of Buwa, come and take your deceased, but do not cry, for if you do, you will face far worse things, for this death was delivered by Tinjiwa. These children of yours were not honest, they were thieves, wicked, and their hearts were of flint. Hear this. Your chief Bwampini has returned to his chieftainship. Today you cannot see him, for he is occupied, but tomorrow.’

[15.10]

The words of the preacher were heard loud and clear, so that everyone in Buwa spoke and whispered to their friends, saying, ‘This is good.’ They all delighted at the news. Those that were related to the deceased came to collect their bodies and sobbed as they did so. Some they buried close by [together]. There was a huge number of funerals, but the dead went unmourned, unclothed even with loin cloths.

[15.11]

After everything had been settled in the house of Bwampini, there were heard singing and the loud sounding of horns. Chezichezi sang two songs; the first one, describing the wickedness of the young men that were killed. In the second, Chezichezi sang a song of ulendo of Bwampini, nkhondo against the Agangire, and all the bad luck that they had encountered.

[15.12]

Thereupon, they all sorrowed and wept with Namasinkho for the troubles which her husband had faced, and too, they all delighted that their chief had returned alive. The most delighted were Namasinkho and Uziona. When Bwampini had taken a stool, food, unctuous flesh, was roasted and offered. Rice and other aromatic foods were offered, then they ate and drank. This was a day of joy. They laughed and stories were shared; joy and blessings filled the whole house. His attendants also got drunk and ate to the point of rupture, ‘Our Lord has returned. Let us rejoice.’

[15.13]

At dawn, other chiefs and their people brought gifts of different kinds to visit their chief. Bwampini and his family, on rising in the morning, amazed greatly at the crowd of those people. Forthwith, Bwampini bathed and dressed as befits Chief Bwampini, and he went out with his family. When he arrived where the people had gathered, drums were beaten and hands were all but broken [of drummers, of those clapping], everyone cried aloud and shouted.

‘Long live Chief Bwampini!’

[15.14]

Thereupon, three children stood up, dressed in very attractive clothes, and they had brought with three bunches of flowers: red, white and yellow. Those flowers were fair, and they were presented to the chief, who received them with great joy.

[15.15]

After all this, Lipenga, who was preeminent in the art of speaking, first minister to Bwampini, cried aloud, saying, ‘All these people, when they see you today, appear as if they have received the lost treasure of the country of Buwa. Your chieftainship, your wisdom without rival to compete, we did not forget; you left a long time ago – many young men that are now shaving their beards were not yet born. All your people are wondering today at the lies of your enemies, which were spread everywhere, that you had died a long time ago. Today, those people are running away, and some have already run away. Upon remembering your troubles, just as we heard them yesterday in the song of Chezichezi, we cry with you and, especially, we ask you, pepa, that your heart should forgive and forget. Receive our small gifts, unworthy as they are.’ Thereupon, he gave the chief: utensils that were very skilfully made, fat livestock, zitenje that were sewn well and with craft, stitched with gold, with the craftsmanship of Ntheradi. In response, Bwampini stood up and spoke briefly:

[15.16]

‘Reverend ladies and elders, I thank you, now that I have returned to my home, that you have welcomed me with open arms. If you had been a different kind of people, you could have denied that I am Bwampini, but you did not. Your gifts shew your peace and your love toward your chief. I doubt not at all that everything will be well, just as it was before. Do not forget that the Abuwa have excelled alway in wisdom and peace toward alendo and they understand each other. Do not change this heart of yours.’

[15.17]

Thereafter, Bwampini sat down. Thereupon, Lipenga shouted, saying, ‘This afternoon we will celebrate a feast near the house of the chief. Do what the Abuwa do when there is a feast.’ They all scattered and made preparation. Some began to hunt down chickens, others stuck pigs, cattle and goats. The women were busy with cooking. The afternoon drew near, horns and drums sounded in Buwa, the feast was close. The people began to gather. The women brought with food that was already cooked, with a good smell. After all had gathered – elders, young boys and young girls – Bwampini and his family also took their place, just as they had prepared.

[15.18]

People began to eat and drink. Many of them got drunk. The young boys danced mganda, the young girls danced likwata, and the elders danced njazo. The people were not fully prepared with zibiya, but they danced amazingly,

[15.19]

The dances were many, but the dance that delighted Bwampini most was njazo. The elders were the ones who performed this dance while singing their song.

[15.20]

‘Bwampini, Thou hast returned, wawa! Is this true? We lost a wise man without peer.

We heard of Thy horse among the Agangire.

Thy ulendo was fearsome, we know:

The biting Asongo, the Baboon People, finished most of our people, our relatives!

Chikutumbwe also, the greedy fellow, left the goats

and the sheep. He ate our relatives.

Namatsenga also wished to turn

our relatives into pigs, and she did! The baleful crab and

the Amphalusa, they finished our relatives.

Also the baleful storm… What did we do to it

That it should end our relatives?’

[15.21]

People danced late; they ate and drank their fill. Darkness made people to look for their doors. Even so, the young girls took their songs back to their kitchens, singing all the way, like this:

[15.22]

‘Our chief has returned, our chief of surpassing wisdom.

Whom could we find to surpass Bwampini?

When a man is born, his lot alway is to face trouble; indeed.

But Thou, Buwa, art Thou not grateful that Thou hast been given

A wise man, with skill, hard working and strong,

Chief Bwampini?’