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131 At the Back of the Black Man's Mind By R. E. Dennett
Xina Va Xifumba.
The Susu reminds the prince that on the fourth day (Sona) he must rest (Ku Kala vaci)
and the people of the country (Beci) know that if they do not uphold the authority of
parents and refuse to act as the Nsexi they will become corrupt.
Xina Nkaka.
The cockle shells (Makunkula) remind the people of the death of their king and how
through loss of balance of mind they are led through vice to become murderers and the
prey of that fear associated with the shark Nquimbi.
Desire is like the messenger (Nguali, partridge) that leads them to ask married women
questions which lead to adultery and death if like the water buck (Nvuli), the woman
listens to them.
Hard as it may be to open your mind (Maili) and tell the truth, it is better to say nothing
than to bear false witness in a palaver like the turtle (Nkufu).
Don't let the snake Mboma usurp the place of your conscience and tempt you to act like
the thieving pig (Ngulubu) that steals the mandioca.
Xina Nsoki.
Remember the size of the whale (tele) and the small size of the fish he swallows and
don't be a glutton like the Nvubu and don't become a slave (Nkombo) through playing
the goat but let your wife be all in all to you (Xingolo Xinyundu).
Xina Mvila.
Keep a sharp look out (as the Sungu) lest you fall into sin, and keep within the stockade
of the law (Nkabi) of your own free will. Be loving and knowing as the elephant (Nzau)
and as full of abundance, but take care how you choose your wife or companion and
don't marry your Xina (Nziku Nkondo).
Be noble and serve and respect your God and those who are put in authority over you,
and do not allow yourselves to come under the domination of fear (Nduma for Mboma).
This is the sum total of your duty towards God and man.
This XINA XIVANGA ZAMBI is connected with the category of water, through immorality
and abuse of speech.
XINA VA XI fumba is connected with the category of earth through corruption (SEXI
dust), which is looked upon as the opposite of solidity.
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