LANGELIHLE #43
DAY 1 OF THE CORONATION CEREMONY
I have been awake since 5am, I am excited and nervous at the same time. The time is 9am, and the festivities are about to begin.
I hired someone just for the day to push Sondela around and tend to his needs, because I will be so busy today I won’t have time. Speaking of him, he doesn’t look okay. I have been trying to get him to talk but he says it’s nothing.
Gobi comes to me and tells me to get ready.
I have ladies here that are helping me get into this beautiful, traditional clothing..
People are already packed outside and the tent is so full. Every royal from other kingdoms availed themselves today.
Nongcebo:You look so beautiful. Like a true Queen.
I moved to the mirror and I looked really beautiful, I looked like my mother.
I fan my face, I can’t cry. It’s a joyous day today.
I was walking barefoot, I insisted.
At the kitchen, people were cooking and getting things ready. I will start at Gobi’s hut, Nongcebo was following me everywhere today.
I went through the backdoor and went to the hut.
Gobi smiled and complimented me.
Gobi:Siyacela ke ukuthi niyeseke Ingane yenu, niyakhusele njengoba kuwusuku lwayo olukhulu namhlanje. Nina bo HLATSHWAYO, MHAYISE WAKO LANGA,NGWANYA,SIYENDANA, CEBISA KAMABHENGEDA, UGID’GOGWENI OVALA EMNYANGO NGAMAKHANDA AMADODA, MGOGODLANA, NINA ENANQOBA IBUTHO LAKWAGOBIZEMBE.
She burnt the Impepho and pleaded with the ancestors that today should go smoothly..
She did everything and we walked out, to enter the kraal
People were behind us singing praises. Mlando and Nongcebo next to me.
At the early hours of the morning, I had to go and hunt. Believe it or not, but I came back with the jaguar. I’m wearing its skin right now over my neck and shoulders . The way they do things in this family is different, but unique in a kind of way.
I noticed Gende and Mlamuli far from the crowd. I smiled at them and turned my attention back to what was being done.
Gobi introduced me to the ancestors and pledged my leadership to be blessed, I also made a promise to be a great leader to the people of Elangeni, and that I will always put them first, make fruitful decisions that will benefit everyone.
When we were done with that, we went back to the tent. The decorations were beautiful. A bull were to be slaughtered in honour of the successful entering of the kraal. This jaguar’s skin was itching me so badly but I couldn’t take it off.
I joined in on the singing and danced around.
After a while everyone settled down, Gobi was handling the whole thing so well.
“Langelihle, ndodakazi ya Langa. Sukuma ubambe intonga yobukhosi”(Langelihle, daughter of Langa. Stand up and pick up the royal sceptre.)
I stood up sweating, this is what I have been afraid of. Imagine if I can’t pick it up, in front of all these people. Okay okay…
Everyone was dead silent now and waiting for me. Gobi nudged me to bring out my hand to the staff.
I breathed out and touched it, it is said that only chosen royal can pick up the staff. On normal people, they can’t pick it up, it would be like it is heavy.
I stayed for a few seconds touching it. I heard a few whispers.
With all my strength, I lifted it up and raised it above my head.
People in the tent ululated and screamed, some whistling.
Thank God, I looked at it and it was glowing.
“Ngiyaninikeza Indlovukazi yaseMalangeni(I give to you the new Queen of Elangeni) – Langelihle Hinode-Hlatshwayo.
“Ndlovukazi, Bayede.”
There were joyous screams and ululations that went on for a few minutes.
I cleared my throat and got ready to speak to my people.
Langelihle:What an honour it has been, I never thought that I would be Queen someday. I grew up not knowing who I was, or where I come from. Finding this place has helped me realize my full potentials. Angithembisi okuningi, kodwa ngizokwenza konke okusemandleni ami ukuba umholi obukhali(I’m not promising much, but I will do my best to be a wise leader). Thank you to all the Kingdoms who came today, and everyone from far, I appreciate it.
Ataru:Now you are a Queen.
I smiled, I couldn’t answer her or people will think I’m crazy talking alone. I felt more powerful than ever today.
The day went by and we concluded everything. People ate and danced, and drank.
I went to check on Sondela and I was told he’s sleeping.
I went to greet Gende. I have to thank her.
Gende:Ngaze ngajabula(I am so happy).
I smiled.
Langelihle:I have you to thank. You pointed me to the right direction.
Gende:I was doing the ancestors’ work. You look even more beautiful now and I can sense how powerful you are.
Langelihle:Me too I can feel it.
Gende:How is Sondela?
Langelihle:Getting better.
Gende: I’m glad, I heard from Mlamuli what his father wanted to do.
Langelihle:Ayixoxwa leyo, they haven’t called.
Gende:I’m sure they are still hurt. Phela there was no hope that Sondela will wake up.
Langelihle:We don’t know, where is Mlamuli?
Gende:Oh he said he’s going to get food. I think it’s his third plate.
I laughed.
I had to go back inside. The throne room looked more lively today.
Gobi:You still need to choose a council of elders.
Langelihle:I know, I have a few people in mind. Do they have to be old old?
Gobi:*Laughing* No, but they should be wise and they will help you with making decisions for this kingdom.
Langelihle:Okay Mlando is the first one on my list, you, Nongcebo and Bab’Chiliza. I will find the rest.
Gobi:Me?
Langelihle:Yes, you have been like a mother ever since I arrived here.
I sneaked to my room to rest a bit. Today drained me and my feet are so dirty. Tomorrow is another day, to honour the Hinode Surname. Since Ataru wasn’t royalty, we won’t do much, just a small thing to acknowledge the Japanese side of me..
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DAY 2
Today I was wearing a traditional light pink Kimono dress with an Obi belt tied around it, and closed it off with geta sandals.
A lot of people had left today.
Nongcebo:Hay this is still weird.
Langelihle:What are you talking about?
Nongcebo:That you are half-Japanese. Just imagine if Ataru’s genes were strong, you would be having China eyes. Do you know what you are going to say?
I laughed at her.
Langelihle:Let’s just go, I know what to say. Ataru will be the one speaking.
Nongcebo:Huh!?
Langelihle:Never mind.
We went to the other side of the royal house, and Gobi was already there. There was a small mat for me to kneel on and a Shinto alter.
I knelt on it.
Gobi:You will lead us here.
I nodded and started.
I said a little prayer and asked everyone to bow before the Shinto alter.
Me and Mlando presented food to the alter, rice, vegetables, salt, seaweed but not animal meat.
I recited the (norito) prayer.
Langelihle: Takaamahara Ni Kami Tsumari masu.
Kamurogi Kamuromi no Mikoto wo Mochite
Sumemioya Kamu Izanagi No Mikoto
Tsukushi No Himuka No Tachihana No Odo No
Ahagi Hara Ni Misogi Harai Tamau Toki Ni
Narimaseru Haraidono Ookami Tachi
Moromoro No Magagoto Tsumi Kegare Wo
Harai Tamae Kiyome Tamae To Mousu Koto No Yoshi Wo
Tamatsu Kami Kunitsu Kami Yaoyorozu No Kamitachi Tomomi
Ameno Huchikoma No Mimi Furitatete Kikoshimese To
Kashikomi Kashikomi Mo Maosu.
After that, we placed offerings on the alter, using little branches of the evergreen tree.
I placed the offerings inside the Shinto and closed it.
Mlando and others took everything inside and we went to the tent to feast, a naorai.
“I have no idea what was that.”,Nongcebo whispers to my ear.
Langelihle:*Laughing* I also have no idea.
She laughed. Langelihle Hinode-Hlatshwayo! It does have a nice ring to it.
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ZIMTHELE
Langelihle was the main topic. She has been trending since yesterday, everyone is talking about the new Queen of Elangeni. Her coronation livestream has over a million views. The part of today confused me a bit, I didn’t understand a thing they were doing. And the dress she wore, looks like those dresses you see in movies worn by Chinese.
I place the tablet away and check on Banele. He was still sleeping. I can’t believe I was so reckless around him. It’s time to get my life in control and forget about Sondela because honestly I don’t see how it will work.
The times I visited him on the hospital, it showed he doesn’t remember me and there was no chemistry between us. I doubt he would still want to be with me.
*Shakes head* I am looking at the posts that Virgin sent me about job vacancies. I meet half of the requirements so let me apply and see how it goes.
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To be continued….
