Part of the skin became a skirt, part was used for Nomusa’s best neck-pocket. Another part was used as a sling in which her mother carried the baby when she was working in the vegetable garden. The rest of the skin was saved until it should be needed.
Finally Makanya took from the rafters of the hut some bead bracelets and a necklace she kept hidden there. These she put on while Nomusa stood to one side, marveling at her mother’s beauty. Makanya was tall and well-shaped. Her muscles were firm and strong. When she laughed, her white teeth glistened, making her smooth skin look darker still. No wonder Nomusa’s father had had to give ten cows in order to get her mother as a wife. She had heard that none of his other wives had cost that much.
“You are beautiful, my mother!” exclaimed Nomusa admiringly.
Just then they heard the sound of a man clearing his throat in front of the entrance to the hut.
“He is here!” said Makanya excitedly, a slight pink color appearing under her skin.
The small amount of daylight which came into the hut through the entrance was blocked as a large figure came crawling in.
“Sakubona,” Zitu greeted them, smiling. The Zulu chief was magnificent in a belt of wildcat tails and a necklace of blue beads around his neck.
“Usaphila,” answered Nomusa and her mother.
Always a little shy with her father, Nomusa partly hid behind her mother.
Makanya said, “Nomusa, get your father’s mat.”