THE MWINDO EPIC

Banyanga, Congo
[This epic narrative is another example of a story in which songs are central to the plot and the
style of narration. Two songs from the epic are presented below. ]

… While the maidens were in the act of drawing water and still had their attention fixed
there toward the drum [on the surface of the water], Mwindo, where he dwelt in the drum
in the pool, threw sweet words into his mouth; he sang:
Scribe, move on!
I am saying farewell
to Shemwindo! I am
saying farewell to
Shemwindo! I shall
die, oh! Bira!
My little father threw me
into the drum! I shall die,
Mwindo!
The counselors abandoned
Shemwindo; The
counselors will become
dried leaves. The
counselors of Shemwindo,
The counselors of Shemwindo,
The counselors have failed (in
their) counseling! My little
father, little Shemwindo,
My little father threw me into the drum
I shall not die, whereas (that) little-
one will survive! The little-one is
joining Iyangura,
The little-one is
joining Iyangura,
Iyangura, the sister of
Shemwindo.

... Mwindo sang; he howled, he said:

Kasiyembe, you are powerless
against Mwindo, For Mwindo is
the Little-one-just-born-he-
walked. Kasiyembe said: ‘Let us
dance together.’ Shirungu, give us
a morceau!
If we die, we will die for you.
Kasengeri is dancing with his
conga-scepter, Conga-scepter
of nderema-fibers.
I am saying farewell to Mpumba,
My Mpumba with many raphia bunches.