A WOMAN GIVES BIRTH TO BIRDS

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This is a story about coming of age in a hostile environment and of the meaning of marriage. Once the parental problem at Mbulukazi's home of birth has been overcome, and her mother and father are reconciled, she moves to her home of marriage, where, by means of an ubulunga beast, she retains her ties to her home and, beyond home, to God. The beast is protective of her, just as the imbulu skin, which it eats, protected her in her childhood.

Kwathi ke kaloku ngantsomi...indoda yakudalo...yathabatha intombazana ngokuyizeka iyenza umfaz'...yaze le ntombi yathi yakufika kweli khay' ayaze imithe...yahlal' entlungwini le ndoda bakhula balile xa bebadala...yaqala yathi ngonje mfazi ndimele uze ndithathe enye intombi...kuba wena akumithi...ndiligqibile ilizwe ngokumisela akuzali...ke ngoku sihlel' ebunzimeni kuba singabantu abagugayo...kungekho mntu sithumayo kweli khaya...kwathi ke ngoku siyaphelelwa ngamandla...yathi ke inkosikazi oo hayi kulungile yise kaBani...ungayithatha intombi apho uyibona khona...yasuka ke le ndoda yakucela^[210] intombi kwelinye ilizwe...yayifumana intombi leyo yayitshata ke...yathi ke yab' iyitshatile leyo intombi yamith'...yathi yakumitha le ntombi yazala iintaka amahlungulu...ke...yazala ezi ntaka ke kwazala ke kweli khaya kwathi qhu ziintaka...yaba ngamitha...yazal' intaka...yaba ngamitha yazal' intaka...wazala lo mzi ngala mahlungulu...yabuhlungu ke ngonje intliziyo yale ndoda kodwa yancamela...yancamel' ekubeni mayiyokuhlala^[211] kulaa mfazi unent' ephumayo endaweni yokokuba ihlale kulo ungazange amithe...yaya kuhlala ke ngonje kulaa mzi wahlala yedwa lo...waye ke esaluphala lo ngonje...wahlala nezaa ntaka ke...wahlala nezi ntaka ezinkinkqela ezi ntaka ezityisa etya nazo ingabantwana bakhe...ikuphela^[212] kwabantwana abazeleyo...kwalile esidaleni wasentlungwini ukhehlekaz' umfazi omkhulu...waya kuhlala ecalu kothango lakhe...kuba zikhona iinkomo ekh' apha kufuyiwe...zithathiwe iinkomo yindoda yazisa pha' yasengela amahlungulu...wahlala yedwa lo...wathi ukubizwa ngonje indoda yakhe kwathiwa yinja yilaa nto ingazaliyo...uthe k' akubon' uba uhleli njalo ecalu kothango apho elila...elila elila latshona ilanga...wathi lakutshona ilanga elila wangena endlini...wahlala...walila nalapho endlini...kwade kwakusasa elila ecinga int' emakayenze...ekhetha nokuzibulala...kufike udadewabo ngenye imini...wathi yintoni mnta' kamama kutheni le nto us'^[213] wabhitya kangaka...wathi ungathini na wena nxa undim...kuba indoda yam yahlala kulaa mfazi uzel' ezaa ntaka...mna ndahlala ndedwa kweli khaya...ndingenaye nomntu ngonj' andityi...kuba ayifuni nokundijonga...wathi kwo! mnta' kamama...hayi bo yis'k' ugoduk' endaweni yale nto...wath' lo mfazi andinakugoduka...ndingenakugoduka nje ndixolele ukufela apha kuba ndanditshatile nale ndoda ndingaz' ub' andizi kuzala...uphindile lo mfazi waya kulila ecalu kothango...ulile walila walila walila ecalu kothango kwalil' enjikalanga...kwafika amahobe...afika la mahobe amabini....afika la mahobe ahlala...abuza kuye ngelithi elinye vukuth'...lathi elinye vukuth'...khawubuze kulo mfazi uliliswa yintoni na...lathi elinye vukuth'...uliliswa yintoni na mfazindin'...wathi lo mfazi ndililiswa kukungazali...lathi elinye uth' uliliswa kukungazali...lathi elinye vukuthu lath' elinye vukuthu...khawubuze okokuba nxa umntu anokumenza azale angamnika ntoni na...lathi elinye vukuthu...uthi ungamnika ntoni na umntu xa ekwenze wazala...wathi lo mfazi...ndingamnika i--- u--- iinkozo zombona...lathi elinye vukuthu...uthi sinomqala umqala wokuginya iinkozo zombona na...wathi lo mfazi ndinganinika amazimba...lathi ivukuthu vukuth'...uthi sinomqala sinomqala ongaliginyayo na izimba...wathi lo mfazi ndinganinika uhlwaya...lathi ivukuthu khawuthi sibone...wasuka lo mfazi...wabheka endlini...wath' akufik' endlini walothula uhlwaya ebekileni...waya ke apho ngasebuhlanti...wafika walugalela ke uhlwaya...anqola k' amahobe athi nqo nqo nqo nqo nqo nqo...agqiba...athi ke vukuth'...lath' elinye vukuthu...khawutsh' akhulul' ahambe ngamathanga...wakhulula ke umfazi kwangoko...kungekabhekiswa nto kuye kuba yena ungxamele ukuzal' int' ayifunayo...wajaca umfazi' wahlala...aphind' athi vukuthu yitsho anabe...kwathiwa ke vukuthu naba wanaba ke umfaz'...wathi ke akunaba lo mfazi ngoku...wa--- wanaba tswiiii...langena eliny' ihobe kweliny' ithanga...langena eliny' ihobe kweliny' ithanga...amphothul' intsila yamathanga macal' omabini...ath' akugqiba ukuyiphothula intsila yamathanga lathi elinye vukuth' lath' elinye vukuthu khawubuz' uba akanaselwa na...kwathiwa ke vukuthu akunaselwa na...wathi ndinalo...kwathiwa vukuthu khawuye kulithatha...wasuka ke umfazi waya kulithatha iselwa endlini...kwathiwa ke vukuth' eli selwa ke khawulikrolonqe...ulikrolonqe ke usuke uyokh'^[214] amanzi...wesuka ke umfazi walikrolonqa iselwa...walibeka wath' akugqib' ukulibeka wayokh'^[215] amanz'...wathi akukh' amanzi wabuya kwathiwa vukuth'...kwathiwa vukuth'...kwathiwa ke thatha k' ezi mbumba zombini laa ntsila yamathanga yenziwe amagaqana amabini...kwathiwa ke yifake kweli selwa ke uze uyigqume iveki yonk' ungaz' uyityhile...uze ke uyityhile kuveki yesibini...wayithatha k' umfaz'...emka k' amahobe...wabhek' endlini k' wafika ke wayigquma ke le ntsila yakhe...nala manzi efake la magaqa mabini ezaa ntsila zamathanga...wayigquma pha' yaphela k' iveki yathi tu ehleli lo mfazi...walile ke ukuvela kweveki esibini...watyhila...watyhila pha' wafika kukho abantwana ababini intombi nenkwenkwe...wathi akubon' aba bantwana...waxhum' umfazi waya kubethek' egumbini waphinda wabuya waphinda wabajonga waphinda wabathath' athi s' ebathath' aphind' angabathath'...wabatyhil' aba bantwana waphinda wabagquma...wakuhlala^[216] ngasebuhlanti...waphinda walila...ngonje ke uliliswa yint' engathi kuye le nto ngumlingo ngath' abantwana uza kuphind' angababoni...uth' esalila njal' afik' amahobe kwa omabini...ath' akufik' athi lath' elinye vukuth'...lath' elinye vukuth' khawubuze uba uliliswa yintoni na...lath' elinye vukuth'...kuthiwa uliliswa yintoni na...wathi lo mfazi hayi andililiswa nto...lath' elinye vukuth' lath' elinye vukuthu khawubuz' uba kunjani na...lathi elinye vukuthu kuthiwa kunjani na...wathi ke yena hayi...ndibabonile abantwana babini...ingathi yintombi nenkwenkwe...ndibabonile abantwana babini yintombi nenkwenkwe ke aba bantwana...ndiya kubathini na...ngoba ngoku bayaxinga kwelaa selwa...lath' elinye vukuthu lath' elinye vukuthu...yitsh' abakhuphe...akukho mphanda mkhulu na...wathi lo mfazi hayi ukhon' umphanda ndinawo...lathi elinye vukuth' lathi elinye vukuth' yitsh' abafake phantsi komphanda...angabatyis' abo bantwana...oo khawuthi ke uhlwaya...aphind' ukutsho amahobe okwesibini...wasuk' umfazi wabhek' endlini...wathath' uhlwayo...waluhlwayela.. .angol' amahobe nqo nqo nqo nqo nqo nqo nqo esuka k' amahob' emka...athe akub' emkile amahobe kwajika lalinye^[217] ...lajika laza kuma...lathi uz' uyeke inyanga uz' uvele kunyanga yesibini...latsho lemka...wemka ke wabhek' endlin' umfaz'...wahlala ke lo mfazi...waman' ukuva lo mfazi uba ikhona le nto iman' i--- ingqung' apha...iman' ingqung' apha...ngeliny' ixesha i--- i--- kukhalwe...ev' uba kuyakhalwa...e--- ev' uba kukhala abantwana...a--- athi 'se eyile kule faty' aphinde angayi ayiyeke angayibambi...abantwana badlala kule fatyi bayadlala bayahleka bayalila...wahlala lo mfazi akaz' aye naphi ehleli kule ndlu...kwalile kunyanga yesibini...wayinqik' ifaty' wafik' abantwana behamba...wath' akufika bebamb' abantwana wabamokomel' umfazi...amthath' umntwan' ambek' egxalabeni...amthath' omny' ambelek'...amthath' omny' amsingath'...ebancamis' ebathini...bachama benza yonke into yesintu wababon' uba ngabantwana...ke ngonje ke abantwana waphinda wabafaka kwa kule fatyi wagquma...walila kanjaqo...waliliswa yint' ecing' okokuba azi uba la mahobe ke ngonje ndakuphinda^[218] ndidibane nawo nini na ndimele 'ze ndithini na ke ngoku ngaba bantwana...kuba ke ngoku bayahamba...waya kuhlal' ecalu kothango walila lo mfazi...wath' akub' elila ecalu kothango afik' amahobe...ath' akufik' amahobe lathi elinye vukuthu...lathi elinye vukuth' khawubuze uliliswa yintoni na...vukuthu kuthiw' uliliswa yintoni na...hayi andililiswa nto ndibona abantwana bebadala and^[219] 'se^[220] ndaxakwa...andiyazi noba ndingabatyis' na andiyazi noba ndingabathini na...bayahamba...bade bayahamba ngoku...ndibabonile...oo h ayi ke ngoku ke yenza le nto...uz' uvuke kusasa...uz' uye kwelaa chibi likhulu...kwelaa chibi likhulu ke uya kufika apho uhlale phezu kwechibi...kwakuphuma iinyamakazi zibe mbini zize kuwe...uze ungazoyiki k' ezo nyamakaz'...uz' uyibamb' enye...eyokuqala ziza kuza nganye uz' uthi wakuyibamba leyo uyihlinze...uyihlinze bungxowa...wenze ngokwengxowa yebhokhwe...kuza kuphinda kuphum' enye wakugqiba...uphind' uyihlinze...uyihlinze ngokwengxowa yebhokhwe...wenzel' into yokokuba ke aba bantwana ubafake ezingxotyeni...ezo nyamakaz' amagama wazo ziimbulu...uze ubafake apho ke amagama ke wabantwana bakho nguMbulu kunye noMbulukazi...khawuze nohlwaya...wesuka k' umfazi wabheka kwa sendlini...waluthatha ke uhlwaya wafika ke ngonje ke uhlwaya walugalela...wath' akugalela k' uhlwaya anqol' amahobe anqola anqola anqola athi ke siyahamba ke ngoku emka k' amahobe washiyeka k' umfaz' wahlala ke umfaz'...wathi ke lo mfazi...ekuseni...waphatha umphako wezonka...waya kuhlala phezu kwelaa chibi eyilolil' imela yakhe ibukhali...wath' akufika kwelaa chibi wahlala wahlala wahlala wahlala...wabon' amanz' echib' eshukum' eyaluz' eyaluz' eyaluz'...wath' akuyaluza la manzi wathi gqi into wayoyika kodwa wakhumbula ngedinga eb' ethethiwe kuye ngamahobe...womelela watsho wayibamba le nyamakaz' wath' akuyibamba wayihlinza...hayi yavuma...wayihlinza wayihlinze wayihlinza wayihlinza kakuhle...yayingxowa^[221] yebhokhwe...wathi akuyigqiba leyo wayisuka wath' esayisuka njalo kwathi yalulu yalulu yalulu yalulu kwa kweli chibi...kwaphinda kwathi gqi...kwa inyamakaz' ekwanjeya...waphinda wayibamba...yavuma...wayihlinza wayisuka wazisuka wazisuka wazisuka zathamba...wahamba wagoduka...wafika k'ekhaya...wath' akufik' ekhaya ke wakhuph' abantwana bakhe waval' ucango emnyango ukuba kungabikho mnt' uyibonayo le nto ayibonwa mntu konke kweli lizwe...akukho mnt' uyaziyo...wathi...yiza Mbulu...utsho kulo mntan' uyinkwenkwe...wamnxiba wamnxiba wamnxiba...wa--- wayimbulu^[222] enomsila...wath' yiza Mbulukazi... weza lo uyintombi...wamnxiba wamnxiba wamnxiba wamnxiba...wayimbulukaz'^[223] ...waphothula ke ngoku lo mfaz'...waphothula waphothula waphothula wabavubisela ngamanzi kuba iinkomo zakhe zahluthwa yindoda...wabavubisela ngamanzi wathi galel' ityiwa uba kubekho ubuncasana...batya abantwana...bahlutha bahleka badlala aph' endlini uvalile...aph' emnyango...ulayitile ngaphakath'...wawa--- wathi ke ngenani ke ngonje pha' bangen' efatyin'...bangena ke efatyin'...wava--- wavula ke ngonje emnyango...wahlala lo mfazi...baxing' abantwan' efatyin' intombi yaphum' amabele inkwenkwe yaphum' ezobukhwenkwe izinto^[224] ...oo ndiza kuthini ngoku...abantwana bayaxinga kule fatyi...badala ngoku...yaye bafun' ukuncokola nonina...oo...walila...ndiza kuyithini ngoku le nto...kuba andiyaz' indlela yokudibana namahobe andiwaz' aph' ahlala khona...wakuhlal'^[225] ecalu kothango...walil' ecalu kothango walila walila walila walila walila walila ath' thu amahobe^[226] ...afik' ahlala...lath' elinye vukuth'...lath' elinye vukuth'...khawubuz' uliliswa yintoni na ngoku...vukuthu kuthiw' uliliswa yintoni na...hayi ndililiswa yile nt' uba^[227] aba bantwana badala...aba bantwana bebadala nje ke ngonje bayaxing' efatyini...kuba ngonje le ntombi le inamabele...kuba ngonje nenkwenkwe le izama zobukhwenkwe izinto...ke ngoku ke...base^[228] babe bendimemeza...besithi mama si--- sikhulule siyaxing' apha...ndiye--- andiyazi ke ukuba ndiza kuthini na ke...oo...athi ke amahobe vukuthu...lathi elinye vukuth'...yitsh' abakhuphe ngaphandle aboval'^[229] emini yen' ahlale phandle...abavalele...ke khawuze nohlwaya...wesuk' umfaz' wabhek' endlini...wathatha uhlwaya...wafika waluhlwayela...anqol' amahobe nqo nqo nqo nqo nqo nqo athi sisemkile ke...ke ngonje ke kufunek' ubavulele ngomso...nango k' emk'^[230] amahobe wahlala k' umfazi wathi kwakusa...wavula...wayibeka pha' ifaty' wahlala nabantwana bakh' endlini esililini...waval' emnyango...uvula ngokuhlwa ke emini yonke uyaval' akafuni mntu...indoda 'zang' ayibon'...indoda noba iyegqith' apha...noba se esithi ndincazele...i sithi sibhanxandini...zifunel' amadoda...andiyaz' int' oyihlalele kuloo mzi kuba akuzali...wahlala lo mfazi ke...uhleli wahlala ke lo mfaz' apha...eman' ukuthi ke x' emkayo eya^[231] kulima emasimin'...kuba ngonje kuyalinywa...'ze nincede ke bantwana bam...ningakhe nilinge nivule apha niphume phandle...athi kuba iingcango zakudala zamanyange...yayiziingcango^[232] zezinti zemithi...loo nto kuvalwa ngesifingo kuxhaswa kuvalwa ngentambo...bas' abantwana bayiqhawul' intambo...unin' engekho...base baphum' abantwana...yathi le ntombi iyintomb' inguMbulukazi yathath' ibhekile...yathi hee! Mbulu!...khawuhambe siye kukheleli umam' amanz'...soze uyibone into kant' umama uyab'^[233] esebenza ma'khe^[234] siye kumkhelel' umam' amanzi ndifun' ukupheka iinkobe mn' umama uze akh' afik' ahlale...yath' inkwenkwe hayi Mbulukaz' kaloku kwakuthiwe 'ze singaphumi phandle sibonwe ngabantu...hayi maan^[235] masihambe Mbulu siza kuhla ngasebuhlanti...asizi kuya mzini...yathi ke inkwenkwe le hee Mbulukazi uyayazi ke indaw' ekukhiwa kuyo...wathi uMbulukazi hee Mbulu siza kuhamba ngendlela siza kubon' indaw' ekhiwayo...wavuma...bayiqhawul' intambo baphuma...waphath' ibhekile ke...uMbulukazi...bafik' emlanjeni...bakha amanzi.. .wathi uMbulukazi hee Mbulu ma'khe sihlamb' umzimba...ma'khe sihlamb' umzimba umama udiniwe kukuhlamb' abant' abangangaye...ma'khe sihlambe 'z' akh' afike sihlambile...hayi kulungile...kwo! sayithini^[236] le nto...bahlamba.. .bath' bakuhlamb' apha bahlamba bahlamb' imizimba...aba bantwana ke balubeeeelu abazange balibon' ilanga...aba bantwana k' iinwel' ezi zimnyama zinde...bathi besahlamba njalo kwathi gqi amahash' amane...abantu abakhweleyo...abantu abaya kucela intombi kundawo zabo...bathi bakuthi thu aba bantu kwaba bantwana behlamba...wath' ophambili wathi ma'khe singaveli ma'khe sibajonge ukuba ngaba yintombi yakwabani na intle kangaka...aba bantu bahle kangaka bavela phi na...bahlamba bon' abantwana kub' abababoni...hayi bo! ad' es'ke amadoda anokutshiseka uba makasondele ababonele kufitshan' abantwana...abantwana bahle...gqi! la madoda...ayibona kwangoko uMbulukaz' wathi yho! Mbulu nab' abantu bath' ukuya kwabo kwezaa & lsquo;nto zabo...bazifaka ke ngonje zancamathela ke ngoku k' ezaa zikhumba kuba bamanzi...bazifaka gxudu gxudu ay' efika ke wona amadoda hayi molweni bantwana bam ningenzakali...ewe tata^[237] ningabantwana bakabani...asimaz' utata...'zange simbone...umnt' osimaziyo ngumama...kuphi kowenu...balath' abantwana...kowabo...oo...ngoku ke uph' umam' 'akho...hayi umama uyokulima emasimin'...ziinton' ezi nizinxibileyo bantwana bam...ziimfele zeembulu umama wayengazali...waze ke umama ke ngoku ke wazaliswa ngamahobe waze ke umama ke wasifak' efatyini...ke ngoku ke 'se^[238] saphuma ke thina...oo hambani ke bantwana bam...atsh' egqitha k' amadoda...athi akugqitha kancinci la madoda kanti k' enye le yinkos' yiyo le ifuna umfazi...oo masijike madoda...ndimbonile umfazi wam...masokuthatha^[239] ngokutsha ekhaya emva kuba apho 'be ndisuka ndisaziwa kuba ndiya khona andisayi kufikelela...ajika k' amadoda...athi ke akujika ke la madoda bafika k' abantwan' ekhaya...kwo!...bathi bakufika k' abantwana ekhaya...bahlala wafik' unina...wathi kutheni...kwaqhaqhw' emnyango...'be nifikelwe yintoni bantwana bam...wathi uMbulu hayi mama nguMbulukazi uthe masiy' emlanjeni...'khe siphek' iinkobe...kudal' udiniwe saze sathi sakufik' emlanjeni...waze ke ngonj' uMbulukazi wathi masivase...saza sabonwa ngamadoda asibuz' uba utata ngubani n'...sathi ke thina asimazi utata 'zanga simbone...int' esiyaziyo ngumama...aze ke la madoda abuz' uba kuphi na kowen' sakwalatha k' ekhaya...abuza ke la madod' uba uphi na umama sathi ke thin' uyokulima^[240] ...emka k' amadoda...kwo!...imbi int' enindenze yona bantwana bam...ngoba ngoku nizibonis' amadod' andingawaziyo nalo madoda...oo! Mbulukazi 's'^[241] ukuyenza le nto mntan' 'am...nxa ndithethe into...ubokuyenza^[242] ngohlobo ebe ndiyithethe ngalo...hayi mama...watsh' uMbulukaz' 'be sikusizela...hayi ke wahlala ke lo mfazi wonwaba noko naxa kunjalo...kuthe ke ngoku ke...ezintsukwini...afik' amadoda...aya kulaa mzi...uyise ahlala kuwo wamahlungulu...afika athi azokucela intombi...ithe ke le ndoda kwakuthiwa kuzokucelwa intombi yakhupha ihlungulu...yathi ke intombi zam nanzi...yatsho ke yezis' amahlungul' angamathokaz'^[243] ...yathi ke nanzi iintombi zam...ke nimele uze niyikhethe ke leyo niyifunayo...kwathiwa hayi...sakuthini^[244] 'be sifun' intombi...wathi ke e--- iintombi zam nanzi...okuba^[245] nindithandile...nithande mna ke...nanzi ke iintombi zam...yatsho ke le ndoda ke yalithatha ke eliny' ihlungulu yathi kulungile...ndiyalitshata...ewe kulungile ke yitsho ke mfo...watsho k' umfo wathi ke ndifuna iinkom' ezintandathu^[246] ...ngale ntombi yam...waye umfo yena esitsho eqinisekile kuba azange azale...ngokwenene ngokwenene yena unyanisile kuba yintombi yakhe le...kumhl' abon' intombi ngezintaka...zakhutshwa ke ezo nkomo zintandathu...ngoku ke...kwaphinda kwas' efika...wathi ke lo mfo ndifuna intombi...ndifuna intomb' again!^[247] ...ee yiphi ngoku...ndifuna kaloku ngonje enye intombi kulaa mzi mkhulu...hayi kulaa mzi mkhulu 'zanga kuzalw' apho yinja leya^[248] 'zang' ibe namntana...mm...ndemka kulaa nto leya andihlali kulaa nto...hayi hayi bawo...siyayifuna thina intombi phaya...e--- siyibonile thina...intombi enguMbulukazi...ingakho loo nto ingakho loo nto kubekh' intombi kulaa mzi nanibona oodadewabo...hayi bawo...siyayifuna intombi phaya...khawusiyele khawusiyele...siyayifuna intombi phay' ibe ngumfazi wasekunene...ithi le ibe ngumfazi omkhulu...kaloku thina ziinkosi siyazithatha iintombi zomz' omnye...oo hayi ke kulungile ma'khe siye ke...baphaya ke ngonje ngokuya...waya umfaz' etshikiza phambi kwendlu...ee onwabile gqitha int' ayibonayo yena kulo mkakhe ubon' ub' es'ke watyeb' was'k' wanegazi...engamaz' nob' utya ingca nob' utya ntoni na...oo wath' akufika ke...hee...Nobani...khawuphume aye la madod' ehleli enkundleni...khawuphume...waphuma...le ntombi iman' ukubonw' ekh' apha yintoni...gqada kwalaa Mbulukaz'^[249] ...gqada laa Mbulukazi hee mama...la madoda ke nanga la madoda^[250] ayegqithe pha'...waqala ke lo mfo ngonje...intloko wayifak' emathangeni^[251] ...oo wanokudana wanokuhla akubona le nto...kodwa uyabona nje phay' ezantsi uba ziinyawo zomntu...uyabona phay' ezandleni uba zizandla zomntu...esiqwini apha akaboni mntu kodw' uyayibon' uba le nto inxityiwe asik'^[252] uba lo mntu uyile nto...wathi hee...yiz' apha mfazindin'^[253] ...wathi umfazi yiza kum endlini...wawundishiye^[254] endlini...wawungandishiyanga^[255] ngakolo thango^[256] ...hayi khawuze kaloku ndikubiz'...hayi 'zang' undishiyel' esiqhwini yiz' apha kum endlini kule ndawo wawundishiye kuyo...ndisahleli ngakulo mbundu...hayi yasuk' indoda...yahamb' iphulul' iindevu isiya endlini apho...yafik' yathi Nobani...mmmhm yafika ngonje 'se ibuliswa abantwana babulisa kule ndoda... hee Nobani aba bantwana hayi kaloku ndibaphiwe nguThix' abantwana...ababuzwa...ewe khawuhamb' uye phay' emahlungulwini 's'^[257] ukuza kubuz' abantwana andibaphiwe nguThix' apha wawundishiye noThixo wam kule ndlu...waze wandipha k' abantwana...oo hayi hayi hayi khawusondele mfaz'^[258] ...hayi yinkosi le izokucela umfazi...ke le nkosi 'se ithathil' intombi enguHlungulwana phay' ezantsi...ke ngonje ke ith' ifuna umfazi wasekunen'...ithi ke ibone le intombi apha inguMbulukaz'...ngoko ke kumele kuthini ke nkosikazi...wathi yenza kaloku ngokubon' andiz' kukulawula kuba kusemzin' 'akho andikemki emzin' 'akho...hayi ke ndiza kuyinika ke nkosikazi...hayi ke le ndoda ke yayinika ke inkosi yaze ke ngoku ke inkosi ke yathi i--- i--- ungathetha ke bawo int' othetha yona...hayi ke wathi ndifun' ishum' elinesithandathu leenkomo ngale ntombi...ngoba lo mfazi lo uzele s' elixhegwazana yath' inkosi hayi azitheth' ezo nkomo ziphandle nje ndiyazikhupha ishum' elinesithandathu...ooo ke ndifuna ke le ntomb' iye ngoduli kwam ingathwalwa...kulungile ke...masicebisane ke ngaloo nto ke ngoku...hayi ke siyabuya...kwatsho kwemkiwa ke ngabantu basemzini bashiyeka k' apha...ayaze ke le ndoda ngok' iphind' iye pha' kulaa mzi wamahlungulu yase ngonje le ndoda yalal' ekh' apha...yase ke ngonje yathi yab'^[259] ilel' ekh' apha wathi lo mfazi kusasa goduka...ewe goduka yiya emzini wamahlungulu...int' ekhoyo lungisa wena into le uyenzayo uphaya 's' ukuza kuhlala ekh' apha...hayi ke yagoduka ke indoda yaya emzini wayo kwakusa...kwalile ke kuveki^[260] ezayo bafika ke abayeni...befike ke ngonje bezokwenda^[261] ...kusilwe ke iindywala ezingako bafika ke ngonje ke baqala pha' kulo hlungulu bend' apho bagqiba baxhelelwa bakhuph' iibhotile^[262] bakhuph' ezaa nkomo babuya baza kutsh' aph' kulo umzi wakuloMbulukazi bakhuph' ezi nkomo zilishum' elinesithandathu bakhupha iibhotile bambathis' unina wentombi bagoduka k' abayeni kwashiywa usuku lokokuba ke uduli 'ze^[263] lufike ngamini ethile...ezi nduli ke 'ze zifike ngemin' enye...oo! kwakuba kunjalo ke kwemkiwa kwalungiselelwa ke phaya kulohlungulu laa mfazi ke uzal' amahlungulu akayazi le nto yokokuba apha kukho intombi akayazi konke into ekhoyo apha indoda iyayifihla le nt' ayisayithethi kulaa mfazi noko ngoku laa mfazi 'se bukrakrana^[264] ...ewe os' ebhetelana^[265] ngulo...int' ekhoyo noko kusafihlwe intloko kuba le nto mayid' iqabele...kwahanjwa ke ngoku...kwalile ke ekudaleni ke kulungiselelwa ke kulungiswa kulukw' omakhuk' oozingobozi zonk' izitya zokwenda yonke into yonke into yonke into kwagqitywa...kwathi kwakugqitywa kwafunwa iintombi namadoda namankazana abantu bokuhamba neenduli...kwathi pha' kulohlungulu yaziintombi^[266] ezimbini namankazan' amabini namadod' amabini yangabantu abathandathu...kwathi apha kulo--- kulonantsi--- kuloMbulukazi...yaziintombi ezine...yangamankazana amane...yangamadoda amane...aba bantu ke xa bebonke kwabotshwa isipani^[267] senqwelo ishum' elinesithandathu leenkabi kwalayishwa^[268] impahla kaMbulukazi wakhwela ke uMbulukazi wanokukikizela ke unina wathi ki ki ki ki ki ki kiki kiiiiiiiii^[269] ...hamba ke silonyana sakuloTese^[270] mntu wenziwe ngabom^[271] ...ee! yahamba ke intombi yaphuma ke phaya leya intombi i--- i--- i--- yentaka^[272] ewe!...kwathiwa halaalaa yeha yeha halala halala^[273] kwahanjwa ke eeeee! zakufika ke iinduli iyaqhuba ke le intomb' inguMbulukaz' iqhuba inkomo yempothulo...iqhuba inkomo yobulunga iinkomo zimbini...iphethe imali yamankazana...kwakufikwa ke...yes^[274] kwafikwa pha' emzini...kwathi kwakufikw' emzini zahl ala entla komzi amaduli^[275] ...ngoratya...zakhonkoth' izinja hawu hawu! hawu hawu! hawu hawu hawu!^[276] kwo! 'bonakal'^[277] uba bafikile abantu basemzini...kwaphum' umntu wathi hayi bakhona bakhon' abantu yhu! 'se^[278] babanintshi gqith' aba bant' andiyazi le nto...yath' inkosi ha ha ha! kalok' ifanele loo nto 'ba^[279] babe njalo 'ba^[280] zisuke kunye...iindul' ezo...ooo! hayi ke makuye umntu aye kubuza 'ze^[281] niqale ke kolu duli li--- lukaHlungulushe ningaqali kolaa lukaMbulukazi ukubuza...kwayiwa...wath' umntu molweni ewe...mm! abant' aba baphuma phi...hayi siphuma phesheya koMbashe siya phesheya kweNciba^[282] ...int' ekhoy' sihamba ke nomntan' oqhwalelayo sicel' indawo^[283] ...ooo wemka 'bhek'^[284] endlini...wafik' endlini...hayi aba bantu bathi baphuma ngapha...bathi babheka phesheya kwamaNciba...andibazi mna aba bantw' aba bathi bahamba nomntana odiniweyo^[285] ...hambobathatha^[286] ...yaye ke 'se ilun gisiwe indlu zimbini...hambobathatha...hambobafaka^[287] kulaa ndlu...bafakwa ke kuloo ndlu...bangen' apho...olo uduli...kwathiwa makuyiwe makuye indoda koluya kungayi inkazana lobuzwa^[288] yindoda...waya umfana oliphakathi wakomkhulu...wafik' wathi molweni...kwathiwa ewe...ooo hayi^[289] ndithunywa endlini kuthiwa mandizokubuza okokuba abantw' aba bahleli entla komz' eli xesha ngaba ngabant' abatheni na...ooo hayi waphendul' unozakuzaku umf' ongaphambili...hayi nkos' noko abantw' aba bahamba indawo int' ekhoyo kus'ke kwamnyama ilizwe nok' abaliqhelanga...ke kwanokukhanya okokuba umz' os' ecalu kwendlela lo bayihambayo...mabacele kuwo indawo...kuba kukho noko umnt' ominxana isifuba kwalaph' elundwendweni...ooo...hayi ke kulungile ndisay' endlini...watsho wemk' umntu wabhek' endlini...wafika wachaz' endlini uba bath' aba bantu baphuma kude ke bahamba nomntu nok' ongaphilanga kakuhle bacela indawo...ooo kulung ile mabothathwa^[290] abo bantu...basiwe ke kulaa ndlu isindwe ngobisi^[291] ...isindwe ngobisi not^[292] ubulongwe ngobisi...ooo!...hayi ke waya ke wathi ke lo mntu ke hayi ke kuthiwa mandize kunithatha ke...landelan' aph' emva kwam...balandela k' abantu...bangena ke kule ndlu...bafika ke kwandlel' iinkhuk' ezintsha kule ndlu...'fika^[293] bahlala ke ngonje kakuhle ke kule ndlu...kwenziwa k' iraladiya^[294] ngomraji^[295] ...waqhinelwa waqhinelwa phezulu zajikela ngaphay' iintomb' ezi...kwathi kusahleliwe njalo...kwangena inkazana...yath'izokuthundisa^[296] ...ndizokuthundis' uduli...kwathundw' apha kwarolwa i--- ishumi kwanikwa kwathiwa siyavala...kuba ngonje sidiniwe sifun' ukulala...ungaphindi k' uzokuthundisa...hayi bahlala ke kwalile kuse njalo...kulaa ndlu ke kaMbuluka--- kaNa--- kaHlungulushe...bahleli nje akukho mnt' uthetha nto...akuthethwa nto ba--- abaqhubi...wasuka nonozakuzaku walapha kwaMbulukazi...wathi ndiyacela...ndiyacela ndicela uthango ndi--- ndinento endiyiqhubayo endiyisa kwelizwe ndiya kulo ke noko iya 's'k'^[297] iqhweshe mhlayimbi...oo hayi.kulungile...wawuvulelwa^[298] k' ebuhlanti wafaka k' ezi nkomo zombin' aziqhubayo...kwalil' ekuseni...wathi ndiyacela ndicela ukuvulelwa ebuhlanti ndaye ndiboleka nentambo kwaxhelwa ke impothulo kaMbulukazi yaxhelwa ke le mpothulo ke yasiwa ke endlini...bakhupha k' inyama yasekhaya...kwasa ke kusasa kwasa kuyimipheko kwaye ke kusilwa k' ekh' apha kusilwa umgid' wokubonwa koduli...zikhutshiwe ke iimali zamankazana zonke nezeendevu zonke nezeenkciyo zonke nezongen'-endlini zonke iimali ezimele 'ze zikhutshwa...kuthe ke xa kunjalo...kwabonakal' okokuba ke ngonje ke mazibonwe ke iinduli kwa ngemini enye...zabonwa ke iinduli...zathi ke zakubonwa...kwaqalwa kwangolaa duli lukahlungulu...labonwa...kwathiwa yho yho yho yho yantle intombi kwagqunywa...laphuma k' uduli lukaMbulukazi...laphuma ke olo duli lulungcelele...umntwenyana^[299] ephakathi kweentombi ezine inguy'owesihlanu phakathi amankazana ngaphambil' emabini^[300] emabini ngemva...amadod' emabini ngaphambili...afika k' ebuhlanti...ath' akufik' ebuhlanti kwandlala ukhuko wahlala phezu kokhuko enxibe isidanga namayila...wabonwa ke kwo! yanduzuka yonke indlu yobuhlanti yho yho yho yho yho ngumnt' otheni l' unje...esaa sikhumba sakhe ke wayesinxiba esobumbulukazi...sanikwa laa nkomo yakhe yobulunga uba mayisitye yasitya ke laa nkomo yobulunga yakhe ayiqhubileyo isekh' apha...kwasa ke ngoku kwasa ke ngonje kubonakal' ub' uduli maluye kuphalaza kwakuthezwa---^[301] kwasa ke ngonje ke uduli luyophalaza^[302] laya kutheza ke iinkuni uduli lubhinqe izikhaka...kufakwe izidanga kwaya kuthezwa ke ngonje ke zaza kubekwa ke ezo nkuni...kwasa ke ngonje ke uduli ke lugoduka yashiyeka^[303] k' abatshakaz' emzini wabo...bathe bakubonakal' uba bashiyekile ke ngonj' abatshakazi waye lo umtshakazi unguMbulukazi uya kwazi ukutheza unezandl' unentlok' uneenyawo waye lowa uyintaka akakwazi kwenza nto phandle kokuchol' iinkozo^[304] ...wahlala ke wayiloo nto yakhe ke ayiyo ekh' ap h'...kwakhiwa k' ezindlu zabo...wakhelwa indlu ke ngoku yena uMbulukazi engufokona^[305] yinkosi...wamakhela indlu ephezulu inkosikazi...kwaqala ke ngonje uhlungulu wayinto nje kodwa wayintaka ethwabazayo ekh' aph'...'sukile ke ngeny' imini...wanobukhwele...kub' indoda ngeyakhe^[306] kuqala...ngonje ke ayimfuni...yaye ke le ntak' iya kwaz' ukuthetha kuba kaloku yazalelw' ebantwini...yaze yakhwaz' ukuthetha...iyeva ngeendlebe...ooo! kubonakal' uba ke ngonj' andiyonto ndiyinto yokuhlekis' apha ndihlekwa nangabantwana^[307] ooo! masihambe dadewethu...wanga uyamthanda wamnxusa...masihambe dadewethu...masiye kutheza...utsho kuMbulukazi...wath' uMbulukazi oo! mnta' kabawo...uza kuthwala kanjani wena...hayi kaloku masiyokutheza^[308] ndakuman'^[309] ndizaphula ngomlomo...uze wena ke^[310] wena mnt' ukwaz' ukuthwala uz'^[311] uzithwale^[312] ...oo kulungile masihambe bahamba...batheza k' ehlathini...batheza batheza batheza batheza bathi besatheza njalo...wathi uhlungulu hee Mbulukazi heeee luyandoyisa olu khuni...lutheni...kudal' ndilujija alujijeki^[313] khawuze khawuze^[314] mnta' katata weza k' uhlungulushe...u--- u--- uMbulukazi wath' akufik' uMbulukazi...wathi heee wethu ub' uth' uz' utheze kundaw' enje ub' utheni...hayi hayi yima kule ndawo yima kule ndawo ulutsalele ngapha...wema ke kuloo ndawo...walubamba k' ukhuni...kwo! yaxhumela kuy' intaka yamphandl' emehlweni ngamaphiko...yathi yamphandl' emehlweni ngamaphik' wath' ukuxhuma kwakh' ukubamba kwakh' ebusweni waya kuw' ezants' eliweni^[315] ...wantlekeka ke waphum' ubuchoph' waphuka ke walivith' apho...yagoduk' intaka...yafik' ekhaya...oo...hayi ke yakufik' ekhaya yath' indoda tyhini unkosikazi umshiya phi...'be ndimshiy' esabekelela kaloku kudala ndimthezisile mna ndifun' ukuhamba...ke mn' andikwaz' ukubekelela...int' e'be ndiyenza ndimncedis' inkosikazi leyo yakho...ke ungathin' ukumshiya ke ub' uhambe naye nje...uz' umshiye...ndiza kuthini kuhlwile nje nx' afun' iinyang' ezisibhozo^[316] ...oo! hayi imbi le nt' uyenzileyo...hayi wahlala...cwaka cwaka cwaka cwaka cwaka cwaka cwaka yabuya laa nkomo yayitye...esaa singqwashu sakhe wayesinxiba^[317] ...yabuya kweziny' iinkom' ikhala boooooo boooooo boooooo kwathiwa hee! itheni le nkomo...iqinisil' yafik' ekhaya...yathi yakufik' ekhaya...yaya kulaa ndlu...kaHlungulushe...yafika yayihlaba yayihlaba yayihlaba yayiqika yayiqika yayibodloza namagade yawa phantsi le ndlu kwathiwa heee yint' yantoni le yenziwa yile nkomo...hayi bo wabalek' uHlungulushe wabhabha...hayi hee! ikho le nt' ixelwa yile nkomo...yabuya yakhala yaza kutsho phambi kwendlu yakhe...yakhala im' emnyango yakhala yakhala yemka ikhala kwalandelwa ngamadoda kwathiwa ikho le nt' ixelwa yile nkomo ngoba lo mfazan' akakabuyi...kwalandelwa 'landel'^[318] yesuk' inkosi namaphakathi kwagqum' emva kwenkomo...kwakufikwa^[319] pha' yangen' ehlathin' inkomo yangena kwalandelwa emva kwayo yafika yema phezu kweliwa kulaa ndawo eb ' etheza kuyo...yem' ikhal' ijong' ezantsi kwathi kwakukrotywa tyhini! nanku lo mntu...wasabalaka kudalo...yafuna k' indawooooo yazula le nkomo yath' isezantsi yab' iphezulu yade yayibona indawo enokucakatha ide is'k' ingene ngaphantsi...yaya kufik' apho yathi yakufik' apho yafika ke ngonje yamkhooooothaaaa yamkhotha iqokelela iqokelele ngophondo ikhothe iqokelele ngophondo ikhothe ikhala iqokelele ngophondo ikhothe yamkhotha yamkhotha yamkhotha wanxibelelana wanxibelelana wanxibelelana wanxibelelana...yamkhothaaaa yamphakamisa ngophondo yamhlalisa ngeempundu wahexa yamyeka yamkhotha yamkhotha yamkhotha yad' es'ke ke ngonje wahlala ngeempundu...wath' akuhlala ngeempundu yamkhotha yamkhotha yamkhoth' ikhalaaaaa imjikelezaaaaa...wad' es'ke wahlala wajonga wajonga wajonga wabizwa yindoda wasabela...wasukuma...yamkhoth' eme ngeenyawo...yamkhoth' imjikeleza le nkomooooo...wad' es'ke wangcambaaaaaaza yahaaaaaa mba nayeeee ath' akuma imkhoth' imkhoth' imkhoth' imkhoth' imkhoth' imkhoth' abe buqina ahamb' ahamb' ahamb' ahamb' ahamb' ahambe abe budinwa imkhoth' imkhoth' imkhoth' imkhothe wase we^[320] khence! wanje ngoko wayenjalo...bagoduka ke...kwahanjwa k' emva koko...kwakufikwa k' ekhaya...kwathathwa ke isithungu sengca...y--- kwabethwa elaa hlungulu lathathwa lafakwa phakath' endlini^[321] ...kwafakw' isithungu kwalunyekwa le ndlu^[322] latsh' aph' ihlungulu lafela apha ihlungulu yawa le ndlu le...yaze ke ngonje ke yakuba i--- iwile le ndlu laba lifile ke ihlungulu kushiyeke uMbulukazi wahlala ngokonwaba ke ngonje uMbulukazi nendoda yakhe phela phela ngantsomi.