Falling For Africa

4. Welcome home , Chanda part 2.

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Music and cheery laughter was heard all over Mpundu village , even those that where never seen happy had some expression of gladness on their faces. The Finyau danced on, even in the night, they seemed to be gaining energy as the day wore on. All the contestants were dressed in splendid wrappers with many beautiful designs and their necks were adorn with beautiful ornaments. They all sat, awaiting the NokoMukulu , the divineress of the village, to open the ceremony .

Noboby really knew where she had come from and it remained a great mistery, even to the elders of the village. She claimed that she had come from beyond Maambweland in Mbala and further north. But nobody had ever believed her stories, they were rather satisfied with the belief that she had descended from the heavens, sent down to intercede for the gods.

During the day time, Noko, as she was referred to by the younger generation, was an ordinary old woman who was very cheerful and sold beautiful wrappers at the market place. She was like everyone's grandmother.

But during night time one would have thought it was an entirely different being. Dressed in her white wrapper that reviled her back, flowing on the ground and a gold string tired around her waist and Black marks on her yellow skin. Mostly on the face and back, her very voice was lightening and her long healthy hair stood up. Others even claimed that whenever she was communicating with the Mpashi or the gods, her skin glowed. But then again those where just rumours. She was the link between Our world and all of Lesa's messengers , that where referred to as "small gods" .

The Bemba believed in one God, whom they refered to as Lesa. They asked small gods or ancestoral spirits Mpashi to intercede for them to Lesa. Each one had a personal shrine dedicated to the gods in his home. Even the poorest ,had an idol made of atleast one god, because they did not wish to offend the Mpashi.

Chiti and Africa were late for the event because they had began the preparations late and finally they were almost done.

As the lamp shone on in Africa's hut, Bambuya ,who was so happy that Africa was going to the Ceremony sang on.

" Umwana akula Eya!
iseni mumone yanga×2
Umwana akula eya!
Iseni mumone yanga ...

My child has grown up!
Come and see my child has grown up
My child has grown up!
come and see my child has grown up!."

Chiti who had been humming along soon joined in the singing and together they sang in sweet harmony . Africa stood up and started dancing to their enchanting tune. Swaying her hips this and that way. She was such a good dancer that even the Mpundu ,stood no match to her witty steps.

The bell ringer rang the bell for the third time that evening , which meant the ceremony was about to begin and NokoMukulu was well on her way to the village circle, the place where all the special functions where held.

Before they could leave, Chiti pulled out an ivory bracelet out of her bag that her father had made for her many years back and slipped it onto Africa's arm. Ivory was very rare in bembaland and only the richest families could afford it . Before Africa could refuse it chiti interrupted her.

" Take it .... this a symbol of our sisterhood ..... It shall always be your good luck charm because it holds all my good wishes for you, when ever you wear it you shall remember me..... "