Down the brown Liemba,
The home of fierce Mamba (crocodiles),
We are gliding.
With sudden stroke and song
The boat is sent along,
Swiftly gliding.
We fear no fierce mamba
In the deep Liemba
While we are gliding;
Nor bush nor thickest brake,
Nor foe that would us take—
Swiftly gliding.
The fifth, seventh, and eighth verses are descriptive of the scenery on the Liemba:—
By waving fields of grain.
With song and loud refrain,
We are gliding;
While women hoe the corn
Till eve from dewy morn—
Swiftly gliding.
Lo! Isle of Ihata,
Blest Isle of Liemba,
By which we are gliding.
The isle was long ago
Blest by great Moshono—
Softly gliding.
Near that tree on yon plain
Died Moshono in pain—
We are gliding—
Burnt by dread Warungu,
Who fear no Malungu—
Softly gliding.
The ninth verse is somewhat superstitious:—
Sole on that lofty rock
Lives Moshono’s sacred cock.
We are gliding.
Now, boatmen, here cease to row,
Bad luck, to hear no crow!—
Softly gliding.
As I have said, the boat song is almost interminable; it describes every view on that beautiful river, each tradition that surrounds the hills, and memorable sites of battles fought and victories won; for it is thus that our history was kept before writing was known to us.
Another song, which was a favourite with the young men and maidens of Katalambula’s village, describes what love-making is known to the Watuta. For this reason only is it valuable, as illustrative of the mode of marriage. The following verses are sufficient as an example:—
Canst thou love me as I love thee?
Wilt thou not come and live with me?
My father talked with thine to-day,
Thy father did not tell him “Nay.”
Said he, “Bring me two score of sheep;
Bring me pombe in pots thus deep;
Bring me ten goats of the best class,
Thy son may take my pretty lass.”
I’ve built my hut of sedgy cane,
The well-thatched roof keeps out the rain,
The floor is spread with river sand,
The latch waits lifting by thy hand.
Thy husband calls, do not delay:
Come to his house ere end of day;
Put now thy hand in mine and come,
Come to Kiranga’s heart and home.
Selim and Abdullah heard numbers of these during the period of the latter’s convalescence, and were constantly amused by them. To sit under the great tree in the centre of the square, to hear the music of the drums, to hear the songs sung, and to see the people dance, was like going to a theatrical entertainment with us. Kalulu often sat with them, but not for long; the exhilarating influence of the music produced such an effect on his feet and legs, that while listening to it he found himself unable to restrain them.
As Abdullah got better and became able to move about during the day, Kalulu used to take him and Selim to the great Maganga, or magic doctor, to enjoy the conversation of the wise man of the tribe.