Other songs mentioned in ‘Text interpretation’ articles

Music example 72

The kanunushi song of the ing’omba Susa as sung by Mika Mwape Chungwa in 1986.

Song 134

A cinsengwe, presumably of the ing’omba Chitelela, as sung by Mika Mwape Chungwa in 1986.

Text of Song 134 ∵ Fierceness

Ubwanga bukali kamubutina, bwaipaya ba Chibale
Ubwakapembya bwaikele kwilaya lya fwite ba Chibale
Fwe colobola, basungu bakali

Fierce witchcraft tricks are to be feared; these killed chief Chibale
A bwakapembya settled on the shirt of chief Chibale
We [witch-]hunters, the white men are fierce

The bwakapembya is a large beetle. The song refers to the death of Kunda Mfwanti around 1900 that was considered to have been caused by witchcraft: a good omen was contrived with bad intentions. The mentioning of the fierceness of the Whites can refer to their very arrival: the first Whites arrived only a little before the death of Kunda Mfwanti, or by their attitude of denial towards witchcraft. They might have forbidden the killing of the one who contrived the good omen for Kunda Mfwanti. The text seems to formulate the dilemma of being confronted by one or the other type of fierceness.

Song 135

A mourning, pounding song comparable to Song 155. No recording.

Text of Song 135 ∵ You cause others to mourn

Mwebaume bamupanda nsengo iyo nemulanda iyo
Mulalengela abanenu kulila ee lelo we cibanda

You men, who bewitch by using horns, iyo me the poor one, iyo
You cause others to mourn, today, you nature spirit

Song 165

A healing song brought at a Kubuka by Chiselwa, a Mwami spirit possessing the shing’anga Sheki Mbomba that also plays the musebe; the chorus is sung Njustini, the cipyaila of Mbomba, Luanshya, 1986.

Text of Song 165 ∵ Truly, the wealth did not arrive yet

Elo balipo ba mama /Maluba /Chitapa /baMbomba tekupengapo fino
Buboni nalikubonta buboni
Sakanya teshi bakandile
Cine buboni nalelo caya /kawa

Cikanga baposa balala ku numa
Kanshi abakashi citemwa mubili
Ndabile /Nkongole mawe oyiye

Ebalipo ba Mbomba
Ebalipo ba mama

When my mother /Maluba /Chitapa /Mbomba was still here, there was no suffering
I had wealth (a good time near the fire)
Sakanya, they will not mourn me
Truly, the wealth didn’t arrive yet

When there’s failing, they throw away (leave) the one they slept with
Showing that the wife only loves the body
Let me say /This remorse mawe oyiye

If Mbomba were there
If only my mother were here