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The mass media is becoming more sophisticated and complex. The sad part is that our folklore is poorly positioned in this regard.
Most often the stories invading television and radio are lacking the morals and ethics. In addition to lack of a hu¬man face. My mind goes back to the days we used to sit and listen to folktales and songs.
There was only one radio station too. So, after listening to the main news bulletin, the elders would switch off the radio and call the children to gather around.
Kambuku
Today, l have remembered one story. This is a about Kambuku the Leopard. Once upon a time, tili tonse! In a certain village there was a beautiful girl. She got married to a hard working young man. Tili tonse! The young man used to go out of the village to drink beer. The local brew was his favorite and always made him feel on top of this world.
Noctunal escapades
One day, he decided to go and enjoy himself. He went to the other village farther away passing through a forest. He had fun forgetting that time could be elusive. He woke from his slumber and decided to walk back home. While close to the village, he remembered his home and how he used to turn into a leopard. He decision was to relive the experience. He turned into a leopard and climbed a tree just close to his brother in-law hut.
Spears
The leopard became confortable. Relaxed. The brother in-law who was also drunk decided to go out to answer the call of nature. He saw something moving up in the tree. He was shocked. He rushed back and took a spear. As he drew close to the tree, he heard a voice. Mlamu usandigwaze! Ndine mlamu wako! He responded choka kambuku iwe! The whole village was still asleep. Tili tonse.
He shouted and called for help. The villagers thought he was drunk and continued sleeping. One could hear them saying" he is drunk. Let him shout' Others were angry with him for disturbing them at the zenith of sweet dreams.Usandigwaze,ndine mlamu! Choka kambuku iwe! Ananu kaphuleni mbatata! Yapyelera.
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