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110 At the Back of the Black Man's Mind By R. E. Dennett
XUULA, the croaking frog, has two voices. When you hear it croaking in a stuttering
guttural way you may expect evil When on the contrary it utters a soft purring kind of
croak all is well. The word ULA is connected with the smashing and crushing that goes
on, on earth and -in rivers during a storm when trees are falling and waters rushing
madly towards the sea.
MBIXI is the little bird that sings LU ELO-ELO-ELO. And if you are going out fishing in
the sea and you hear this pleasant sound you are sure to have good luck.
SUSU, the fowl. It is a bad sign to hear a cock crow after 6 p.m. and before 3 a.m.
XIXEXI, a very small bird. When this bird sings XIXEXI and you hear it on your way to
fish, it is a good sign ensuring luck, but if it sings TIETIE turn back, as you will catch
nothing.
KULU = the horned owl. When at night this bird comes near to you and you hear it
hooting it is a sign of death that is about to overtake you or one near to you.
NXECI is a fairly large black bird, whose wings are tipped with white. Its song KE-E-E
portends "witch palaver."
KNA KNA, a slender black bird with a long tail, that is continually crying out KNA KNA.
When the Bavili hear this bird they conclude that there is something wrong with
MABILI, not the power but the NKICINKONDI or entrance gate to their village, or there
is some sickness hanging about some one dear to them. This bird came from the East
with MABILI.
MVIA is a brown bird that cries out VIA, reminding the native of witch burning palaver.
It is a bad sign. VIA=to burn.
NUMVU is a large dark-brown bird, the fish eagle, that lives near to rivers. When it is all
one colour it is a bad sign, but when you meet one with its wings tipped with white it is
a good sign.
XIFUTU NKUBU = the screech owl. Like the KULU, to hear it hoot is a sign of death.
MBENDA = the field rat. If this rat runs across your path from left to right it is a good
sign; not so good when it crosses from right to left. Should it run towards you it is a bad
sign, but if it runs along in front of you in the way you are going, "Oh! that is very good."
MPAWLO PAWLO = the common owl. When you hear the hooting of this owl you may
feel happy, for it means "Be at rest, all is well! "
THE SNAKES AND COLOURS OF THE RAINBOW OR THE NERVES IN CONNECTION
WITH THE SENSES AND PERCEPTIONS.
MPILI, the spitting adder, strikes terror into the noisy and is evidently connected with
the sense of hearing.
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