Sala Maleko, Maleko Nsala.
Kuenda bangwata Nsambia Nsulsu
Sambia Ntoto
Nsambia Nsukururu
Sambi Npungo Munalongo
Kuenda bangwata Nfuiri
Kuenda bangwata Ngurufinda
Kuenda banwgawta nbete
Bakulu Bundu Npemba
Kuenda bangwata Kulusu
Kuenda bangwata Ntango
Kuenda bangwata Ngonda
Kuenda bangwata Anabutu
Kuenda bangwata Ngo
Kuenda bangwata Mayimbe
Kuenda bangwata lango
Kuenda bangwata ntoto
Kuenda bangwata Tata Nkisi Malongo Cheche,
leka leka Kunasinda
Kuenda bangwata Tata Nkisi Ngao.
Kuenda Bangwata matari Nsasi
nkita nsila nsulu
Kuenda kunyadi guatoko
nganga vira vira, dundun nganga
Kuenda nboba nchila ko:
Sala Lembe,
& speaking from the chest fire, the heart, here is where I find the language.
These pages are dedicated to my teachers, particularly the things that they like. They have been generous with their own libretos. Those in the old ledger books & those written inside their bones. These pages are dedicated to my Npangui crafting their own libretos. These pages are for the Ngueyo, foot just set upon nzila Kongo: small enough for the shirt pocket when you walk off into Nfinda & your own Malongo. These pages are dedicated to all of those who have taken sombra in the Nzo Kongo. Better than rumor on the wind.
These pages are for those who don’t know what it is I just said at all but kept reading anyway.
&
Disclaimer:
These may not be the “orthodox” thoughts of folklorists/sociologists/ethnographers/art-historians. & most Paleros will say it’s all some ntufi. Many of my teachers may find my thoughts disturbing. This is perhaps heterodox but not quite heresy. At least they may not be BIG heresies. To me it is a poetics. A young priest wrestling with his craft.
This is also for the bundu wanga bacheche of Chola Nwengue: Maria Chica, Maria Luisa, Maria Kwila, Maria Zolia & Mari Kula. Ntondele Yayi Nkisi Malongo. Only the river can run with me because I never the stop the flow.
They are notes. Or drafts for the cathedral door. Be welcome & be wary.
Lembe Ko.
