69 “Yoma liye-nge-nye lima siiva”.`
(Hurrah !
As was expected the day of retribution has come. Truth has ultimately prevailed).
nga-neli = news, usually sad news.
e-nga-neli foo-foo = the news is spreading or has spread far and wide.
Generally e-Mokpwe sympathizes with victims of normal misfortune. But remarkably e-Mokpwe rejoices and celebrates with an intention to provoke some one who brings severe punishment upon himself as a consequence of a lifestyle of mischief, foolhardiness, arrogance, dishonesty, high-handedness, involvement in secret societies such as Nyongo.
For instance when Itata-namine started to confess his involvement in a Nyongo society and the distress he was experiencing as a consequence of the demands from the sect, inmates of his village rejoiced, and exclaimed:
“okpwa-wuu !
naa-nu !
Yoma liye-nge-nye lima siva” !.(“It serves him right”).
Another instance. At the level of the village council and the village traditional court Mulungu lost a case concerning crops he had destroyed in the farm of his neighbour with whom he had a boundary dispute. Mulungu then made an appeal in Buea Customary Court. Mulungu lost the case in Buea also. He received a fine that was heavier than the fine he was asked to pay in the village.
Furthermore the court asked him to pay full damages to his adversary. Supporters of the person with whom Mulungu had the dispute jumped up joyfully, composed a song instantly, and on the spot provoked Mulungu. The wordings of the song are:
“Yoma liye-nge-nye lima siiva !
Mwai koo-ko !
i-move !
asi-ve !
yoma liye-nge-nye lima siva !
o-kpwa-wuu ! (hurrah !)
yoma liye-nge-nye lima siiva !
e-nga-neli, foo-foo”
Yoma liye-ngenye lima siva.
(“Hurrah !
The day of retribution has come. As was expected truth has ultimately prevailed.
My friend,
We spoke.
We advised.
He would not listen to reason.
He continued to be obstinate.
And now, as was expected truth has ultimately prevailed. He now suffers embarrassment and humiliation and isolation.
The news/scandal is spreading or has spread far and wide”).
There is also a song in Douala in this connection. It is entitled:
“Miya-ngo ma mota kaa-ta kaa-ta”:
(News concerning the mischievous and foolhardy person)
"Dima bolane !
di-sengi miya-ngo ma mota kaata kaata !
di-ma bolane !
Nkuu-nkuu oo !
dima bolane” !
(“It has happened. The day of retribution has come.
We have received the news concerning the punishment/disgrace/humiliation that that mischievous and foolhardy person has ultimately suffered.
Nkuu-nkuu o !
It has now happened.
The day of retribution has now come”).
oma nanu
“Yoma liye-nge-nye lima sii-va”
Literally
(i). Hurrah ! Very good. The day of retribution has now come. Truth has ultimately prevailed
(ii). It serves him right.
Oma nanu. i-mba Mbua Ndoko.
P.o Box 38 Buea, South West Province
Cameroon, West/Africa.
Email:[email protected]
Tel/Fax: 33-32-25-35
Mobile/Cell: 79-73-47-14
Website: http://www.mbuandoko.com
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