Voices

Many makishi speak, sing, or produce some other type of vocalization. For the spirit manifestation to be successful, each of these ancestors must utilize a specific, unique vocal timbre. Properly doing so will allow for its correct identification. In this way, the encultured can recognize a spirit before it is even visible. Although this ancestral theatre involves improvisatory interactions between the makishi, other performers, and onlookers, each vocalizing spirit is expected to say things (in the appropriate manner) that align with its characteristic personality. Below is a small sampling of short video and audio clips of various vocalizing makishi. I also include some common words the encultured use to describe these voices. For further commentary on the voices of ancestors, check CHAPTER of my dissertation.

Chahwa

Chahwa at Likumbi Lya Vaka Chinyama;
July 21, 2019 in Cazombo, Angola;
original audio stored in ZNBC audio-visual archives
Chahwa arriving in a village during mukanda;
November 18, 2021 in Chavuma, Zambia;
for higher quality video, download from “Videos of Luvale (and Related) Sonic Culture” link;
original video stored in ZNBC audio-visual archives

Chikuza

yakuhanjikila mujimo (he speaks from the stomach); lizu lyamukuluntu (elderly voice); kukanguka chikuma (very dried out/tight/carrying/loud); kulikuwa (scream); yayindende na mwishi (small and low/down/quiet); lizu lyakusweka (hidden voice); similar to Kalelwa

Chikuza performing kutanga;
August 8, 2019 in Cazombo, Angola;
for higher quality video, download from “Videos of Luvale (and Related) Sonic Culture” link;
original video stored in ZNBC audio-visual archives
Chikuza performing kutanga;
August 22, 2019 in Zambezi, Zambia;
for higher quality video, download from “Videos of Luvale (and Related) Sonic Culture” link;
original video stored in ZNBC audio-visual archives

Chileya (cha Mukanda)

lizu lya kunjonjoma (hoarse voice); lizu lyakupalata (stuck voice); lizu lyalipi (bad voice); rough; similar to Sakashivi, Samakota, and Ndondo

Chileya dancing Machakili with Likumbi Lya Mize Chibolya group at Kabwata Cultural Village;
June 29, 2019 in Lusaka, Zambia;
for higher quality video, download from “Videos of Luvale (and Related) Sonic Culture” link;
original video stored in ZNBC audio-visual archives
Chileya in procession at Likumbi Lya Vaka Chinyama;
July 21, 2019 in Cazombo, Angola;
original audio stored in ZNBC audio-visual archives

Kalelwa

kulikuwa (scream); kutenuka (angry); katenda (shrill/loud); lizu lya helu (high/carrying voice); lizu lyakutaluka (well-built/tall/large voice); kukanguka (dried out/tight/carrying/loud); lizu lyakusweka (hidden voice); similar to Chikeza, Chikuza, Kambulu, and Kamutonga

Kalelwa in procession at Likumbi Lya Mize;
August 21, 2019 in Zambezi, Zambia;
for higher quality video, download from “Videos of Luvale (and Related) Sonic Culture” link;
original video stored in ZNBC audio-visual archives
Chikuza, Chimbunji, Kalelwa, and Kapapa in procession at the Chivweka festival;
July 22, 2022 in Kabompo, Zambia;
for higher quality video, download from “Videos of Luvale (and Related) Sonic Culture” link;
original video stored in ZNBC audio-visual archives

Kanjenjela

 

Kanjenjela in procession at the Luvale New Years bash;
December 31, 2021 in Lusaka, Zambia;
for higher quality video, download from “Videos of Luvale (and Related) Sonic Culture” link;
original video stored in ZNBC audio-visual archives

Kapalu

 

Kapalu reciting mujimbu at Likumbi Lya Mize;
August 22, 2019 in Mize, Zambia;
for higher quality video, download from “Videos of Luvale (and Related) Sonic Culture” link;
original video stored in ZNBC audio-visual archives

Mupala

lizu lyakukumwina (groaning/grunting voice); kulikemenena (groan/grunt within oneself); nge uze muthu nahono (like that person who lacks strength); wazeye chikuma (you are very tired); nge wambate chize chachilemu (like you are carrying that heavy [thing]); the tongue is tied up; lizu lyakusweka (hidden voice); lizu lya mukemo (voice of groaning/grunting); kuhanjika na mikemo (to speak with groans/grunts)

Mupala in procession at the Chivweka festival;
July 27, 2022 in Kabompo, Zambia;
for higher quality video, download from “Videos of Luvale (and Related) Sonic Culture” link;
original video stored in ZNBC audio-visual archives
Kavanda Chaila and Lote Sapato’s impressions (and descriptions) of Mupala’s voice;
January 5, 2022 in Lusaka, Zambia and July 11, 2022 in Zambezi, Zambia (respectively)

Sakashivi

wakutenuka (of anger); lizu lyakutavunuka (strong); lizu lya kunjonjoma (hoarse voice); it doesn’t sound well; similar to Chileya, Ndondo, and Shaukolo

Sakashivi reciting mujimbu at a mukanda;
November 9, 2021 in Chinyingi, Zambia;
original audio stored in ZNBC audio-visual archives
Sakashivi arriving in a village during mukanda;
November 18, 2021 in Chavuma, Zambia;
for higher quality video, download from “Videos of Luvale (and Related) Sonic Culture” link;
original video stored in ZNBC audio-visual archives
Sakashivi arriving in a village during mukanda;
June 5, 2022 in Chimbangala, Zambia;
for higher quality video, download from “Videos of Luvale (and Related) Sonic Culture” link;
original video stored in ZNBC audio-visual archives

Utenu

hakachikachi (medium); lizu lya kunjonjoma chindende (a slightly hoarse voice); mwishi (down/quiet/low); lizu lyalineneko chindende (a slightly big voice); kalikuwakoko (not a scream); too sharp

Utenu entering the arena at Likumbi Lya Mize;
August 24, 2019 in Mize, Zambia;
for higher quality video, download from “Videos of Luvale (and Related) Sonic Culture” link;
original audio stored in ZNBC audio-visual archives
Utenu in procession at the Luvale New Year’s bash;
December 31, 2021 in Lusaka, Zambia;
for higher quality video, download from “Videos of Luvale (and Related) Sonic Culture” link;
original audio stored in ZNBC audio-visual archives
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