Performed by Tute Chigamba, from the album Yangu Ndega
“Nyamamusango” (Meat in the forest) is a hunting song. When we say “Nyamamusango,” these days people are going to work. Long ago, they used to hunt. If someone stayed home, dodging the broom as his wife swept, she would say, “Oh! Get your leg out of the way, so I can sweep!” And you would lift one, then the other, so you are dodging the broom! Everyone else is out hunting, and they will return with meat.
When they return with meat, they arrive saying, “Here we are.” You say, “Oh, my friend, just give me something, cut me off a small piece of meat!” He says, “Hey you! Meat is found in the forest. If you want meat, go into the forest and hunt there.” Yes.
Just like now; these days people go to work. You spend the day here, at home. When someone receives his pay, you say, “Oh, my friend, just buy me a little bit of beer today.” He says, “Hey you! Money is found at work. Go find a job, and work! That is where there is money. If you want money, get a job and work. Then you’ll receive your pay.”
So, meat is found in the forest. At home, there is no meat; you have no cattle kraal, so where will you find meat? You haven’t even chickens or goats, so where will you find meat? You go into the forest, and you hunt there. Yes.
If you accompany others hunting, even if you have no hunting dog and all you have is a little axe, that little axe will do its work there in the forest once we catch an animal. Yes, you will receive your small share, and you’ll come back and give it to your children to eat.