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Overview
A-Mulombe a Nganzu obtain hoes from Musudi a Tumba and promise to pay with wax in the third month, after taking the produce from their hives. On the agreed day, the blacksmith seeks payment, but the assembled birds insist that he identify an individual debtor. Their matching appearance makes that impossible for him. They maintain that he must name the particular recipient, rather than demand payment from the company, and repeat the argument before their chief Na Katete.
The first hearing stalls because the blacksmith cannot pick the debtors out. Kadiembe the dove then intervenes, directing him to bind several birds. Some confess, while others offer to identify the debtor if released. All the bound birds ultimately pay the wax and the debts end. The company’s speaking, commercial obligations and coordinated pleading belong to the animal narrative. Chatelain explicitly warns that mu-lombe means a black bird and does not identify the European or American birds called blackbirds; his regional comparisons do not justify assigning the defendants a single scientific species.
Origins & earliest records
Named contributor Jelemía dia Sabatelu; collection and literal English translation by Chatelain. Note 458 distinguishes regional uses of mu-lombe and explains the name’s collective form. The group is retained as one narrative company rather than multiplied into unnamed profiles.
Records & interpretation
Complete tale XVI, Blacksmith and Blackbirds, bilingual pp. 150–153; English pp. 151, 153. Contributor note and note 458 p. 290; conclusion p. 153.
Selected bibliography
Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.
- 01
Folk-Tales of Angola
Complete tale XVI, Blacksmith and Blackbirds, bilingual pp. 150–153; English pp. 151, 153. Contributor note and note 458 p. 290; conclusion p. 153.
Family & connections
A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.
References
Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.
- Collected Ki-mbundu text with facing English translation and contributor notesChatelain 1894 — Blackbirds of the Hoe-Debt CaseResearch access: 2026-10-05
Image credits
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