The Tale of Loango: The Keeper of Seven Stars

The palm of the hand holds the seven stars;

In the beginning of the kingdom, there was Mwe Tchikambissi,

Disappointed by the behavior of her subjects,

She went to settle in the eighth province of the Kingdom of Luango—

In the Atlantic Ocean.

She is powerful,

But she is generous.

Our people believe in her.

After her departure, the Kingdom, like an octopus,

Spread its tentacles across the vast land of the Kings.

The land of Soundi, on the road to Mpombo, the smile of Pool.

The region of Bukkemeale.

The poetry of Zanaga.

The region of Mount Birougou, between Ngouni, Fougami, and Lambaréné.

The smile of the Kongo and Ngoyo Kingdoms also lies under the sharp and unwavering gaze of Mwe Tchikambissi of the Luango lands.

Look at my hand,

It has five fingers.

But look at the palm of my hand

It holds seven stars.

These are the poems and songs of the people of the provinces.

They are represented in the coat of arms of the Kingdom.

Do you know these seven provinces?

TCHILOUNGA – the song from Madingou Kayes to Nzambi

MPILI

LOANDJILI

KANGNI

YOMBE

NKANU

and KUNI, the smile of the Niari Valley.

Look closely at the seven stars, and listen to the storyteller.

Look at the face we carry

How many openings does our face have?

Two eyes, two nostrils, two ears, one mouth.

Mwe Tchikambissi tells the end of this story.


In the concluding whisper of Mwe Tchikambissi, the end of this tale echoes, leaving behind a lesson to be discerned.

Title

The Tale of Loango: The Keeper of Seven Stars

Themes

divine intervention | society | cosmogenesis

Emotions

pride | reverence | wonder | nostalgia

Lesson

Heed the lessons embedded in our narratives and symbols; they guide our societal values and actions.

Characters

Mwe Tchikambissi: a deity overseeing her realm, The Storyteller: narrates and connects the people with their heritage

Back-grounds

Atlantic coast, Birougou mountains