| On
his latest trip to western Zambia, Yiannis had the
opportunity to experience a Mbunda elder drive away evil
spirits from a house. Our companion and translator, Edward
Musonda, translated the words used so we can get the full
benefit of the seance. Below the words of the Elder as
translated by Edward.
NDOMBWE YA MWOCHELA: This is juju used to drive away evil spirits in a
house. When
one, two or more members of a family in a house experience
bad dreams or sleepless nights, elders believe that evil
spirits have entered the house. Late in the evening before the members go to sleep, the elder
will cast the
medicine into the house.
He will light the Ndombwe in the tortoise cover and
say the following ritual in this manner:
(English translation follows)
Tu tanda yeni mwaya
laja vimyene vetu va mwene Yamba Yamba, va mwene
katavola va mwene kalimbwe, mu voshe kamynungathane
Livu, thitu, viti na vyelu vyeni ovyo.Chiti cha
kalunga, munu wa kalunga Ndumba ya munu wa munu. Nji
kasha vyemba evi muno mu njuvo mu mathzina eni
vimbanda mwa kanganele. Yeni
va kalvaya, va mbonjo, va sasa Va makumba, va
Teta-Ngimby hame va vakweni voshe kulivu oko ku muli. Yeni
mwa thethza eyi miti tu likwathetha, Fuma, Fuma, Fuma,
Fuma. Miti eyi keti ya kwila, oloni ya ku landa.
Manene y ove Teta-Ngimsi wa njanene Ndombwe –
Vindumba ava va fume. Fuma Fuma Fuma Fuma.
We
call upon you all our long buried kings and queens and
chiefs. Va mwene Yamba Yamba, va mwene Katavola, va
mwene kalimbwe all of you in union. We
give unto you your soil, meat, trees and ground nuts. Trees are of God and Man is of God Un evil spirit (Ndumbaya
munu) is of man and from man. I cast this medicine in
this house in the names of you our famous but buried
witch doctors. You va kahaya, va mbonjo, va sasa, va
mkumba and Va Teta Ngimby and all our fellows in the
under world Where you now live you left behind your
trees, herbs for us to use. Out, out, out, out, out.
These trees and herbs used to make this Ndombwe were not
stolen but bought from you, especially you Teta-Ngimbu
who gave me this Ndombwe. I call upon you and cast these spirits in your
name. I
cast you evil spirits leave this house now.
With
the Ndombwe in the left hand he will move to all the rooms smoking the ndombwe
there in. After this the elder will clap his hands several times, sign of honour and respect to
the ancestral gods, kings and famous witch doctors. Later the family will be allowed into this house.
The Ndombwe will be left burning all night until it goes off on its
own. From the three parcels (masaku)
accompanying the ndombwe the elderly man will get a few, put in a cup, add
water and stir. All the members
of the family will wash their faces with this water. Early next morning before people in the village wake up they will wash
with this medicine. Pour the
remaining madicine at the door steps and each will step on it as they go in
and out of the house. The (Ndumba
ya munu) evil spirits will have no power in so treated a house.
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