Nandakambilwa
alikona Khumwanda Kwenjoli
(An
inadvisable one would lay his life on a damned path)
This proverb comes from
the story of a young man, Nandakambilwa originally called Silikhaya from Bang’ale
clan, a tribal fold within Bukusu sub-nation. His father was Wamafwi, strict and
principled. He was a former blacksmith and wealthy man, well-endowed with
cattle and other livestock. Despite being brought up in a well nurtured home, Silikhaya
grew rude and obedient. One day, he bade farewell to the family and told his father
he will set up his own home in a land far away. He felt he could live in peace
and do anything just like his father.
He travelled for many
days and nights, covering a huge span of distance. He arrived at a certain
place and erected a blacksmith’s hut (lirumbi), right in front of a path that ran
down the river. No sane person would build a hut on a path that elephants
(chinjoli) passed by to go drinking. His smithery nevertheless flourished and he
grew quite famous in these new lands. Until one day, a band of Maasai Morans (Bamuruku)
visited him carrying a human skull! They demanded he forges it into iron to resemble
a pig’s head (whatever their motivation was) or if he failed, they would kill him.
That same evening, he was very troubled for how could he forge pig iron from a human
head? His mind wandered and he was unable to sleep. He remembered one thing, home…
Early next morning, he
set for the journey home, to seek the advice of his old man. He was well received
but the father declined to advise him, insisting that now he was a grown up and
could make his own independent decisions. After hours of pleading, however, his
father instructed him to take a significant amount of burare (iron ore), put it
in the skull and blow in the furnace. With quickness of steps, Silikhaya went
back. The same evening, the Morans came and stuck their spears outside the house
as was their custom. Silikhaya received them and did as his father had told him.
Confidently, he fanned the skull, till it was red hot, put iron ore and hammered
it into a pig head. The Morans were impressed of his prowess and shook his hands
excitedly. They praised his genius, went away happy and probably later rewarded
him.
This prodigal-son proverb
is used to warn people for neglecting advice. One who despises advice is like Nandakambilwa,
who refused to stay, went into foreign lands but when trouble arose, he ran
back home to seek advice and solace.
Have a thoughtful
weekend, won’t you?
