Long ago, before the world was filled with people, the Ba-Kaonde of Zambia tell that there was only Leza, the Supreme God. Though unseen, Leza’s presence was everywhere, guiding life, shaping order, and laying the foundation for religion, custom, morality, and political harmony. Yet even in his greatness, Leza did not wish to remain alone. In the northwestern corner of Zambia, he created the first human beings: Mulonga, the man, and Mwinambuzhi, the woman.
Mulonga was strong and fearless, while Mwinambuzhi was gentle and uncertain. Apart from their temperament, they were identical, for neither possessed the organs that would make them truly man and woman. This incompleteness caused them discomfort, especially as they began to feel an attraction to one another without the means to express it. Burdened by frustration, Mulonga climbed the sacred hill to consult Leza.
Leza, wise and compassionate, gave Mulonga two roots, one for himself and one for Mwinambuzhi. “Use this root tonight,” Leza instructed, “and let Mwinambuzhi use the smaller one.” Grateful, Mulonga set off for home, though the journey was long. Night fell, and he climbed into a tree to rest. Before sleeping, he placed the root between his legs. By morning, to his astonishment, his body was transformed, he had become a complete man.
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Curious, he inspected the second root meant for Mwinambuzhi. Its smell struck him as foul, and thinking it had spoiled, he discarded it carelessly.
When Mulonga returned, Mwinambuzhi was astonished at his transformation. Eager, she asked about her own change, but Mulonga concealed the truth. Soon, she herself went to Leza, who, perceiving Mulonga’s act, gave her a fresh root. At last, Mwinambuzhi too became a complete woman.
Together, they discovered desire and embraced it, experiencing the joy of intimacy. But afterward, fear crept into their hearts. Had they sinned against Leza? Trembling, they sought him once more.
Leza listened kindly. “You have done no wrong,” he assured them. “Your actions were natural and good. Yet, Mulonga, by discarding the gift meant for your partner, you have committed an offense. For this, you must pay Mwinambuzhi a Muketo, a marriage gift. From this day, the Muketo shall be given to brides among the Kaonde.”
The couple departed, relieved, while Leza smiled at their innocence. Yet soon he grew troubled. He foresaw difficulties awaiting them. To aid his creation, he summoned Mayimba, the honey-guide bird. Trusting Mayimba as a friend of humans, Leza entrusted him with three sealed gourds, closed with wax.
“Take these to Mulonga and Mwinambuzhi,” said Leza. “The large and small gourds hold seeds for planting, but the middle gourd must remain closed until I give further instructions. Warn them not to open it without my command.”
Mayimba agreed and began his journey. But as he flew, curiosity gnawed at him. What secrets did the forbidden gourd hold? The more he pondered, the greater his temptation grew. At last, overcome by desire, he broke the seal.
Instantly, calamity burst forth. From the gourd poured ferocious beasts, venomous reptiles, poisonous plants, plagues, and above all, death itself (lufu). The creatures and spirits scattered across the earth with supernatural speed. Mayimba flapped frantically, trying to gather them back into the gourd, but it was hopeless. What was unleashed could not be contained.
Thus, according to the Kaonde people, death and suffering became part of human life. What was once meant to be withheld until Leza’s guidance was forever lost because of Mayimba’s disobedience.
Moral Lesson
This tale teaches that disobedience and impatience bring lasting consequences. Mulonga’s carelessness created the tradition of the marriage gift, while Mayimba’s reckless curiosity opened the door to death and suffering. The Kaonde myth reminds us of the importance of trust, responsibility, and respecting divine instructions. Choices, whether small or great, shape the fate of generations.
Knowledge Check
Q1: Who are the first man and woman in the Kaonde creation myth?
Mulonga and Mwinambuzhi.
Q2: What mistake did Mulonga make with Leza’s gift?
He threw away the root meant for Mwinambuzhi, thinking it had decayed.
Q3: What cultural practice is explained through Mulonga’s mistake?
The tradition of giving a Muketo (marriage gift) among the Kaonde.
Q4: Who delivered the gourds to the first humans?
Mayimba, the honey-guide bird.
Q5: What escaped when Mayimba opened the forbidden gourd?
Carnivorous animals, poisonous reptiles and plants, diseases, and death (lufu).
Q6: What is the central lesson of this myth?
Obedience to divine instruction preserves order, while curiosity and impatience bring suffering.
Folktale Origin: Kaonde myth, Zambia. Collected in Folktales of Zambia (see: Chiman L. Vyas, comp., “Folktales of Zambia” collection).
