There is a song of vhusha that is used when the novice is fetched from her home. Ri mutei (we are looking for the novice) (Vhusha Song No. 1). This is also sung out of context at tshikanda, but it is not used for fetching novices, because those who have been to vhusha come of their own accord at the beginning of tshikanda, and others are sent by their families if their first menses occur while tshikanda is in progress. There is a special song which refers to the passing of girls through tshikanda:

Song No. 4    1  Ahee, dzi a wela.    Tears are falling down.  2  Ahee, mbembe dzi a wela.    The young birds are crossing over.  3  Ahee, asidzo dzi a wela!    There they are crossing over!  Chorus:  Ahee, ee, ee, dzi a wela.    They are crossing over.     The verb -wela (applicative of -wa = to fall) generally refers to 'crossing over', as of a river, and hence to the passage of people through their initiation. The subject referred to in each line by dzi is khomba, 'girls of marriageable age'. refers to the tears which novices must shed at initiation, to show that they are humble.

Next Song: Tshikanda Song No. 5

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