The natives of British Central AfricaWerner, Alice
History
The natives of British Central Africa
Werner, Alice
Ethnology -- Malawi; Malawi -- Description and travel; Malawi -- Social conditions
This account then goes on to state that they went north, and came
‘to Magomero,’ and fought two days with the Atonga, ‘who dwell there
to this day’; and the Atonga ‘clasped their feet,’ _i.e._ submitted,
and acknowledged them as chiefs. The name of Magomero is given by the
Blantyre people to the Konde country at the north end of the Lake, as
well as to the place of that name, near to Lake Chilwa. As the word seems
to mean ‘the slopes,’ it may be of frequent occurrence. They then passed
round the north end of the Lake, and turned south again. Harry Kambwiri’s
written account says nothing of this, but it is evidently to be
understood, as the next fact mentioned is that they crossed the Rovuma.
Crossing the Lichilingo, and another stream called the Luli, they came
to Mwalija’s, where there were cattle, and intended to push on thence to
the Lujenda, but ‘found a desert without water,’—so they returned, lifted
Mwalija’s cattle, and struck off south-westward, wishing to return whence
they came. They reached the Shiré at Matope (the regular crossing-place,
a few miles north of the Cataracts), and wished to settle there; but one
Sosola cheated them into going on by showing them a basket of cow-dung,
and saying that cattle had passed by, but were now in the Chipeta
country. The raiders’ instinct at once rose to the bait, and they crossed
to Mponda’s, and went on north-westward to Mount Chirobwe. Finally, they
settled near Domwe Mountain, somewhat to the north of it, and while there
fought with Mpezeni, son of Zwangendaba, and defeated him. ‘Mpezeni’s
people ran away,’ and this must have been when they settled in the old
Undi country (near the present Fort Jameson), where Mpezeni died a few
years ago.
It is interesting to note that, in 1903, Madzimavi, a son of Mpezeni’s,
but not the one chosen as his successor, applied to the Native
Commissioner for permission to take the name of Zwangendaba (Sungandawa,
as spelt in the official document), on the ground that his grandfather’s
spirit had appeared to him in a dream, and ordered him to do so. His
request was refused, after discussion with the principal chiefs, a
majority of whom seemed to be of the opinion that such a step on
Madzimavi’s part was only preliminary to declaring himself independent,
if not ousting his brother altogether.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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