In memory of Lewanika-a 100 years after—A poem from Makena
by Ilutwa Makena
Born with his left hand gripped on his right wrist A mystical pointer to a successful future Lubosi lwa Mawaniketwa Nakandambo A herdsman elevated to Kingship Like King David of the Bible, False start, was his initial rule When the Barotse turned against each other His fate was defined by his adversaries Fusilladely, guns were fired Mushondwa—the shamed one, they called him Like a cat of many lives, survived To redefine his destiny And that of his nation, Barotseland In exile, the lionized one rose from the ashes Like the mystic phoenix, To re-write the history of his nation Liwanika-la-Mafuci—the visionary unifier of nations Admired by many, respected by all and feared by foes Never feared to face the unknown, and That became the dominate feature of his character, When he encountered Maputukisi (the Portuguese) from the West Majelemani (the Germans) from the South West and Matebele from the South East, He pitted the British against their own kind—the Europeans A demonstration of his intellectual faculty, and A deep wisdom, rarely associated With African Kings and worlds yonder His unique military and economic exploits Supported by men with military ingenuity, men Idolized and renowned in raids For their devastating scale of attacks, unearthed in him Uncommon bravery and heroic deeds Lubosi lwa Nyambe recognized the importance of the Almighty God And saved his people from perpetual darkness Unknown to all, he fore saw The knowledge and wealth hidden in books, Posterity benefitted from his legacy A legacy worth defending O’ Nanikelako, blessed you are Bestowed with the honor of holding his remains For ever and ever