Lines 211 - 229

Most other milayo, dzingoma and which are commonly referred to in the lines of the domba song have already been discussed. In such cases, they will simply be given below as lines of domba, with the appropriate cross-references.

361
Ludede wa shango:
the country's girdle
Ndila
paths, girdle.

 211
Mikombo wa shango ndi zwiulu.
The country's navels are ant-heaps.
 212
wa shango ndi thavha.
The country's backbone is the mountain.
 212a
Mutsinga wa shango ndi thavha.
The country's neck is the mountain.

In lines which refer to parts of the human body, some masters sing fhasi instead of shango, referring to the underworld, the world of spirits, and suggesting a comparative geography in which the world is seen as one great human body. It is important, too, to remember that shango refers to the bush, as opposed to those parts of the world altered and inhabited by man. Thus the suggestion is that when man dies, he returns to the order of nature.

 213
Khuwadzi yo nyela dzivhani.
The river bird let its droppings fall into the river pool (see mulayo No. 272).
 214
Masie wa Muhovheleli,
The deserter of Muhovheleli,
 215
0 hovha na zwa kulekule:
Who reached out a great distance to the ground:
 216
Lufhafha lwo guma Muledzhi.
(So that) his wing swallowed Muledzhi.
These lines refer to the lightning bird (: see mulayo No. 274). They may also have historical significance.

 217
otsha ;
Mr Vulture put his meat on the fire to roast;
 218
vho kundwa nga in okhola.
But he was unable to withdraw it.
These lines refer to the show (or essential rite) of Nyamudanga.

 219
Mamburu a boroda
Mamburu is roaring
 220
Murahu ha thavha ya Tswime.
Behind the mountain of Tswime.
 221
Ndi selea nngwe tshivhanda.
I wear over my shoulder (the skin of) the leopard, a beast of prey.
 222
Mashande wa nguvho ya phale
Mashande, with the old ladies' long skirt,
 223
Yo shandulwa, vhana vha lila.
Died, and her children wept.
 224
Mbudzi pfumbu ya u luvhedzwa.
(It is) the blue-grey goat for the sacrifice to the dead.

These lines are said during the `lesson' Mbudzi na nngwe, the Goat and the Leopard.

 225
Phalana ndo nga mme (mubebi):
I was given the impala (skin) by the other who bore me:
 226
Vho-mme anga ndi tenda ngozwi;
I thank my mother for carrying me on her back;
 227
Ndi tenda tsho mbebelaho.
I thank her for giving birth to me.
 228
Khotsi anga ndi tenda ,
I thank my father for the axe (i.e. the penis which made conception possible),
 229
Ndi tenda tsho mbumba .
I thank him for moulding my head (i.e. his part in building up the foetus).

These lines are similar to the praises recited by novices during the show Phalana.

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