In the heart of Angola, among the Kimbundu people, there lived a brother and sister whose bond was tested by tragedy, hardship, and betrayal. This is the story of Nga Nzua, the elder brother, and Fenda Maria, his devoted sister. A tale passed down through generations, carrying lessons of resilience, truth, and the power of justice.
Nga Nzua and Fenda Maria were children of a respected family. But misfortune soon befell them: their parents died, leaving the siblings vulnerable. Nga Nzua married a woman named Nga Nzuana, and together they brought Fenda Maria into their household. Yet instead of finding comfort, the young girl encountered cruelty.
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Nga Nzuana treated her husband’s sister not as family but as a servant. She forced Fenda Maria to rise before dawn, fetch heavy loads of water, gather firewood, and toil endlessly. If the girl faltered, she was beaten or mocked. Fenda Maria endured these hardships in silence, her only companion a small goat, whose gentle bleating was her comfort.
One day, Nga Nzuana’s cruelty deepened. She gave Fenda Maria impossible tasks, carrying water in baskets that leaked, grinding enormous amounts of grain without rest, and tending the fields under the burning sun. Exhausted and tearful, Fenda Maria nearly collapsed. At her lowest moment, an old woman appeared.
This woman, mysterious and wise, had watched Fenda Maria’s suffering. She gave the girl magical guidance: “Do not despair. Your goat is not merely a goat; it carries the truth of your trials.” The old woman instructed her to care for the goat well and never let it be taken away.
Time passed, and Nga Nzuana, consumed by envy, plotted to rid herself of Fenda Maria. She demanded the goat be slaughtered. Fenda Maria wept, but again the old woman appeared, whispering that the goat’s remains must be gathered carefully, for they would one day reveal the truth.
Reluctantly, Fenda Maria obeyed her sister-in-law’s orders. The goat was killed, but she preserved its bones and blood in secret, just as instructed. That night, the bones transformed into magical objects: a flute, a drum, and a rattle. Whenever Fenda Maria played them, they sang out her story, the cruelty, the suffering, the truth hidden behind closed doors.
When Nga Nzua heard the sounds, he was astonished. “Who sings these things?” he demanded. Fenda Maria stepped forward, trembling, and revealed the instruments. As she played, each note carried her pain, her tears, and the undeniable truth of her oppression.
Nga Nzua was struck with shame and anger. His wife’s cruelty was exposed, and justice could no longer be denied. He restored his sister’s honour, ensuring she was cared for with dignity. As for Nga Nzuana, her deception and malice became known to all, and she was cast out, her pride reduced to nothing.
Thus, through resilience, faith, and the hidden power of truth, Fenda Maria triumphed over cruelty. Her story continues to echo among the Kimbundu people, reminding all that injustice may linger but cannot last forever.
Moral Lesson
The story of Fenda Maria and Nga Nzua teaches that truth and resilience will always overcome deceit and cruelty. Even in the face of suffering, patience and perseverance can turn hardship into triumph. The folktale reminds us that justice, though delayed, will always prevail.
Knowledge Check
1. Who are the main characters in the Angolan folktale of Fenda Maria and Nga Nzua?
The main characters are Fenda Maria, her brother Nga Nzua, and his wife Nga Nzuana.
2. What role does the goat play in the story of Fenda Maria?
The goat symbolizes comfort and truth, later transforming into magical instruments that reveal Fenda Maria’s suffering.
3. How does Fenda Maria endure her hardships in the folktale?
She endures through resilience, silence, and the guidance of a wise old woman who helps her protect the truth.
4. What magical transformation occurs in the tale?
The goat’s remains transform into a flute, a drum, and a rattle that sing the truth about Fenda Maria’s suffering.
5. What lesson does the folktale of Fenda Maria and Nga Nzua teach?
It teaches that truth, resilience, and justice will ultimately triumph over cruelty and deceit.
6. What is the cultural origin of the story of Fenda Maria and Nga Nzua?
The story originates from the Kimbundu people of Angola and is preserved through oral tradition.
Source: Traditional folktale from Angola’s Kimbundu people.
