A Chopi song from southern Mozambique. It may be sung at weddings but has also a more general popularity. The argument of the song is that the bride must learn to acknowledge her love for Nyagumbe.
BRIDE: Nyagumbe!
Nyagumbe!
Why do you refuse?
GROOM: I am refusing.
In my heart is the love of refusing.
BRIDE: I will go
To the band of men.
Father! Father!
Nyagumbe refuses.
FATHER: Why does he refuse?
BRIDE: He is refusing.
In his heart is the love of refusing.
I will go
To the hearth.
Mother! Mother!
Nyagumbe refuses.
MOTHER: Why does he refuse?
BRIDE: He is refusing.
In his heart is the love of refusing.
MOTHER: Go to the bin!
Procure beans!
Cook! Cook!
Serve! Serve!
BRIDE: I will go
To the boys’ hut.
Nyagumbe! Nyagumbe!
Here are beans.
Why do you refuse?
I will go
To the band of men.
Father! Father!
Nyagumbe refuses.
FATHER: Why does he refuse?
BRIDE: He is refusing.
In his heart is the love of refusing.
I will go
To the hearth.
Mother! Mother!
Nyagumbe is refusing.
MOTHER: Why does he refuse?
BRIDE: He is refusing in his heart.
MOTHER: Go to the fowl run!
Catch a cock!
Kill! Kill!
Cook! Cook!
BRIDE: I will go
To the boys’ hut.
Nyagumbe! Nyagumbe!
GROOM: What is the meat?
BRIDE: The meat is a cock.
GROOM: What is the cock?
BRIDE: The cock is a cockerel.
Why do you refuse?
GROOM: I am refusing.
In my heart is the love of refusing.
BRIDE: I will go
To the band of men.
Father! Father!
Nyagumbe refuses.
FATHER: Why does he refuse?
BRIDE: He is refusing.
I will go
To the hearth.
Mother! Mother!
Nyagumbe refuses.
MOTHER: Why does he refuse?
BRIDE: He is refusing in his heart.
MOTHER: My child! My child!
Love him! Love him!
BRIDE: I will go
To the boys’ hut.
Nyagumbe! Nyagumbe!
I did love you!
He is laughing.
Why are you laughing?
GROOM: I am laughing.
In my heart is the love of laughing.
from Oral Poetry from Africa 1984
compiled by Jack Mapanje and Landeg White,
Longman
