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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
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Ludede wa shango:
the country's girdle |
- Ndila
paths, girdle.
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211 |
- Mikombo wa shango ndi zwiulu.
The country's navels are ant-heaps.
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212 |
- wa shango ndi thavha.
The country's backbone is the mountain.
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212a |
- Mutsinga wa shango ndi thavha.
The country's neck is the mountain.
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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).
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214 |
- Masie wa Muhovheleli,
The deserter of Muhovheleli,
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215 |
- 0 hovha na zwa kulekule:
Who reached out a great distance to the ground:
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216 |
- Lufhafha lwo guma Muledzhi.
(So that) his wing swallowed Muledzhi.
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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;
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218 |
- vho kundwa nga in okhola.
But he was unable to withdraw it.
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These lines refer to the show (or essential rite) of Nyamudanga.
219 |
- Mamburu a boroda
Mamburu is roaring
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220 |
- Murahu ha thavha ya Tswime.
Behind the mountain of Tswime.
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221 |
- Ndi selea nngwe tshivhanda.
I wear over my shoulder (the skin of) the leopard, a beast of prey.
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222 |
- Mashande wa nguvho ya phale
Mashande, with the old ladies' long skirt,
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223 |
- Yo shandulwa, vhana vha lila.
Died, and her children wept.
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224 |
- Mbudzi pfumbu ya u luvhedzwa.
(It is) the blue-grey goat for the sacrifice to the dead.
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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:
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226 |
- Vho-mme anga ndi tenda ngozwi;
I thank my mother for carrying me on her back;
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227 |
- Ndi tenda tsho mbebelaho.
I thank her for giving birth to me.
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228 |
- Khotsi anga ndi tenda ,
I thank my father for the axe (i.e. the penis which made conception possible),
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229 |
- Ndi tenda tsho mbumba .
I thank him for moulding my head (i.e. his part in building up the foetus).
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These lines are similar to the praises recited by novices during the show Phalana.
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