Chapter 22
The Mwindo Epic
Introduction to the Mwindo Epic
• An oral epic told by the Nyanga people from the Democratic Republic of the
Congo, in central Africa.
• Our version was performed by Candi Rureke and recorded by Daniel
Biebuyck in 1969.
• There are four different versions of the story of Mwindo.
• In each version:
– The hero has an unusual birth and performs mighty deeds.
– Mwindo’s greatness is achieved primarily through wit, trickery, singing, dancing,
and dice-playing rather than the physical prowess of a fighter.
• In most versions:
– The Pygmies and the hero’s paternal aunt are his supporters and advisors.
• In our version:
– He is born against his father’s will.
– The gods themselves are unable to conquer him.
The Courtship of Mukiti and
Iyangura
• The chief Shemwindo builds a village called Tubondo in
the state of Ihimbi. He is born with a sister called
Iyangura.
• Shemwindo has seven wives and demands they give
birth only to girls.
• There is a river in which there is a pool, and in this pool
there is a water serpent, master of the unfathomable.
This serpent Mukiti courts Shemwindo’s sister.
• Iyangura goes to live with Mukiti, under the protection of
his headman called Kasiyembe.
• No one is to walk downstream against the flow.
Mwindo’s Unusual Birth and His
Brief Early Years
• One of Shemwindo’s wives, the seventh and the Preferred One, lags behind in giving
birth.
• Her child, still in the womb, brings her firewood.
• When she finally gives birth, it is to a boy, Mwindo.
• His father tries to kill him with a spear thrown into the birth hut, but it is always
deflected.
• Mwindo is born with a conga scepter, and carrying an adze and a bag with a long
magic rope.
• “Mwindo was born laughing and also speaking, already a man among men.”
• His father has him put in a grave, but he climbs out. His father then has him put in a
drum and sent downriver.
• Mwindo reaches Iangura despite the efforts of Musoka, Mukiti’s sister, and
Kasiyembe, Mukiti’s head man, to prevent him. He is helped by Mukei the hedgehog.
• Nkuba the lightning tries to kill Mwindo, but it is unable to strike him.
• Mwindo sets fire to Kasiyembe’s hair.
Mwindo’s Campaign against
Shemwindo
• The Baniyana, Mwindo’s maternal uncles, make armor
for Mwindo.
• Mwindo calls upon all his father’s possessions to come
to him.
• Mwindo’s uncles are defeated by the people of Tubondo.
• Nkuba, the god of lightning, becomes Mwindo’s ally.
• Tubondo and all who dwell in it are turned to dust by
lightning. Shemwindo runs away.
• Mwindo resuscitates his uncles and gives chase to
Shemwindo.
Mwindo’s Campaign against
Shemwindo, 2
• Sparrow shows Mwindo that his father has gone to the Underworld,
the realm of Muisa.
• Kahindo, the spirit of good fortune and daughter of Muisa, helps
Mwindo in his encounter with Muisa.
• Muisa gives Mwindo a series of tasks:
– Cultivate bananas.
– Gather honey.
– Gamble with Sheburungu, the creator god.
• Muisa offers Mwindo Kahindo’s hand, but he refuses.
• Mwindo returns home to Iyangura and tells the story of his
adventures to her.
• Mwindo heals those who had been killed in Tubondo.
The Royal Presentation
• Mwindo and his father become reconciled:
– Iyangura accuses Shemwindo of behaving
badly to Mwindo.
– Mwindo says he does not hold a grudge.
– Shemwindo declares Mwindo his successor
and installs him as chief.
– Mwindo receives four wives.
Confronting the Dragon and
Being Punished for His Deeds
• Dragon kills three of four of Mwindo’s Pygmies, whom he
has sent to hunt meat.
• When Dragon attempts to swallow him, Mwindo beats
him with his scepter.
• The Pygmies emerge from the body of Dragon.
• Nkuba inhales the smell of his friend Dragon, and
descends on the spot to take Mwindo on a journey to
show him that he did wrong.
• The journey lasts a year, and on it, Mwindo meets cold
and icy wind and rain and sun and stars.
• On that trip, Mwindo learns that he must not kill any
animal or he will die.