Display of joy by a parent over the success of his/her children aught to take place behind the house.
Yasi nanu: Iya Ejose, the mother of Naliongo, pulled out one of her breasts in excitement and joy when Naliongo was once again declared victor of a wrestling contest.
When Iya Ejoso was about to jump into the pitch to join the group that was dancing and parading the pitch in celebration of Naliongo’s victory her mother in law intercepted her and said:
“Ejoso ee ! Halt !
You are not expected to enter the pitch.
Do not enter the pitch lest your detractors and enemies should accuse you and Naliongo of usurping all the credits of the day.
You have opportunities to congratulate and salute the child at home quietly out of the view of your detractors/enemies. Your sisters and friends will dance the “fombowo” for us.
(“Ejoso ee ! saa !
su-we-ya nau;
timba ono kpwa !
osu-nda we e-woka vesuwa.
ose-ne mbafe na suweli ndi anu liyando meene.
‘engoma Moyali eve ndi o-mbusa litongo la ndavo,
nanu, si, e-Muu na e-Mweemba vasi mwe-ne.
va-ko-eli vango, na e-Muu na e-Mweemba,
va weni te o-tena e-woka vesuwa nange;
wova ndi vama:
ahaaa !
oma-ja lau-mwele fe;
e-Mwana, a-kpwise esuwa, lau-mwele;
owa e-Nyango, wafe, lau-mwele”;.
“e-ngomo ya mo-ya-eli, o-mbusa litongo”.
(The display of joy by a parent over the success of his/her child aught to take place behind the house)
Literally:
People are expected to be discreet in discussing their personal achievements and the successes of their children and members of their families.
Note:
Tradition allows that when there is a public celebration in honour of some one who has made a great achievement, his/her aunts will show their breasts out as a reminder to the public that "these are the powerful breasts that fed this hero".
The parents of the hero avoid making public appearance. They smile discreetly when they are being congratulated for the successes of their child.
ngomo = dance.
mo-ya-eli = a parent.
o-mbusa = behind.
litongo la ndavo = behind the house.
live = a breast; plural, maa-ve
fombo-wo = dancing in celebration of a victory.
liyando = a group of supporters of a wrestler at a wrestling field.
moko-eli = an enemy; a detractor - plural, “vako-eli”.
muu = ghost; the devil.
mwee-mba – a witch; plural, “vae-mba”.
Oma Nanu
Imba Thomas Mbua Ndoko
Chicago ILL, USA
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