In the earliest days of the world, Nyambe the Creator lived upon the earth with his wife, the goddess Nasileli. At that time, the land was bare and silent, surrounded by vast waters, without trees, animals, or companions. For a while, Nasileli accepted this solitude, walking alone, singing to herself, and eating in silence. Yet loneliness soon weighed heavily upon her, and one day she turned to her husband with tearful eyes. She pleaded that the earth be filled with beauty, living beings, and companions of both sexes to bring her joy.
Nyambe loved his wife deeply. The very thought of her sadness unsettled him, so he began to create. First, he shaped trees whose leaves rustled in the wind. Then he formed animals to roam the land, birds to fill the skies with song, and fish and reptiles to move through water and marsh. Nasileli rejoiced at this clever creation, but she was not yet satisfied. She asked again, this time for companions in human form.
Nyambe hesitated. He warned her that creating mankind would bring sorrow and worry. Yet when Nasileli wept, Nyambe’s heart softened. He shaped the first man, naming him Kamunu. Clever and resourceful, Kamunu imitated everything his creator did. If Nyambe carved a spoon, Kamunu carved one as well. If Nyambe smelted iron, Kamunu did the same. Even when Nyambe built a hut, Kamunu quickly erected a dwelling identical in size and shape. Nasileli rejoiced at the sight of humanity, but Nyambe grew anxious. His creation mirrored him too closely, and he feared Kamunu’s cleverness would bring strife.
His fears proved true. One day, Kamunu fashioned a sharp iron spear and hurled it at a hare, killing it. He roasted and ate the meat, savouring the taste. Soon after, he killed a lechwe and proudly recounted his hunting exploits. Nasileli admired him with shining eyes, but Nyambe grew angry. “You have killed and eaten your brothers, the children of your parents,” he rebuked. In shame, Kamunu left for distant lands.
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Yet alone, Kamunu realized he was helpless. His skills came only from imitation, and without Nyambe’s example, he faltered. Humbled, he returned, seeking forgiveness. Nyambe refused to see him at first, but Nasileli persuaded her husband to forgive their son. Nyambe relented, granting Kamunu permission to cultivate a garden nearby. Kamunu tended his crops well, and soon tall maize grew in abundance.
But trouble soon followed. An eland entered the garden and devoured the grain. Enraged, Kamunu killed it and ate the meat. Nyambe disapproved but recognized Kamunu’s act as justified, so he forgave him. Still, Nyambe worried. Again and again, Kamunu endangered himself by killing creatures who were meant to be his kin.
Soon after, Kamunu’s dog died, and he begged Nyambe for medicine to restore it to life. Nyambe agreed but with a condition. If Kamunu used this power, he must also revive any person he killed. Kamunu, who had already made enemies, rejected the offer. He preferred to tame another dog rather than risk being bound to such a law.
One day, Kamunu’s cooking pot cracked in the fire. He tried to mend it but failed, so he returned to Nyambe for help. Nyambe answered only with silence. Another day, Kamunu’s hut collapsed in a storm. Again, he sought Nyambe’s guidance, but the Creator angrily ordered him never to appear before him again.
Still, Kamunu returned the very next morning. Exasperated, Nyambe realized that as long as he remained on earth, Kamunu would never allow him peace. He told Nasileli of his decision and prepared to leave the world of men. Gathering the creatures of the earth, Nyambe warned them: “Kamunu is clever and strong. Guard yourselves against him, for he does not treat you as brothers and sisters.” The gentle creatures fled in fear, while the fierce beasts resolved to defend themselves.
Even so, Nyambe gave Kamunu one last test. He asked him to remove a boiling pot from the fire without injury. Kamunu wrapped wet hay around his hands, lifted the pot skillfully, and passed the trial. Nyambe appointed him chief over all people. Yet Nyambe’s heart remained restless, for Kamunu’s power grew, and his defiance weighed heavily on his father.
That night, as Nyambe lay awake, the spider appeared and asked why he grieved. At first, Nyambe was silent, but the spider begged to help. Finally, Nyambe instructed him: “Spin a web from the earth to the sky.” The spider obeyed, and with Nasileli, Nyambe climbed the shining web, ascending into the heavens beyond the clouds. There they remained forever, leaving Kamunu and humankind to live upon the earth without their Creator.
Moral Lesson
This tale reminds us that human ambition and cleverness can be both a gift and a burden. Nyambe created Kamunu with love, but the man’s constant imitation and disobedience troubled his father until the Creator withdrew from the earth. The story warns against arrogance and selfishness, teaching that wisdom lies in humility and respect for all living beings.
Knowledge Check
Q1: Who were Nyambe and Nasileli?
A1: Nyambe was the Creator god, and Nasileli was his wife, the goddess.
Q2: What was Nasileli’s request that changed the earth?
A2: She asked Nyambe to create trees, animals, and eventually humans to ease her loneliness.
Q3: Who was Kamunu, and why was Nyambe troubled by him?
A3: Kamunu was the first man, created by Nyambe. He imitated everything his Creator did, making Nyambe fear his growing power.
Q4: What act caused Nyambe to send Kamunu away at first?
A4: Kamunu killed animals for food, which Nyambe considered the killing of his own kin.
Q5: Why did Nyambe eventually leave the earth?
A5: He grew weary of Kamunu’s persistence, disobedience, and troubling actions, choosing to live in the heavens instead.
Q6: What cultural origin does this story belong to?
A6: It is a Lozi folktale from Zambia.
Folktale Origin
Source: Lozi folktale, Zambia.
