According to folklores, there is a tribe in central Africa, some say it is the Himba Tribe, while some say it is the Ubuntu Tribe, which have a unique tradition. When a woman wants to become a mother, she recluses herself from the tribe and goes to stay in the forest. She stays amongst nature and a song comes to her, the song of her child. She comes back and teaches her partner the same song. They sing it often, sometimes even when they are making love. Once the child is born, the song is sung to him or her, till the child learns the song. Anumita unveils one of the mysteries – a believe it or not kind of a story – of the Dark Continent. A Different Truths exclusive for the Special Issue on Africa.

Every soul has a song and that song is a part of their life even before it is born on the earth. This is a fable-like story which often is found on the social media sites. I have read a few versions of this story.

According to folklore, there is a tribe in central Africa, some say it is the Himba Tribe, while some say it is the Ubuntu Tribe, which have a unique tradition. One version says that when a woman wants to become a mother, she recluses herself from the tribe and goes to stay in the forest.

She stays amongst nature and a song comes to her, the song of her child. She comes back and teaches her partner (the father of the to-be child) the same song. They sing it often, sometimes even when they are making love. Once the child is born, the song is sung to him or her, till the child learns the song.

Another version says, when the tribal woman is pregnant, she makes a song, while taking time for herself alone. She sings this song to her unborn child and teaches it to him or her after its birth.

The fable-like story does not end here. It weaves the song throughout that person’s life. The song is sung to him or her at every new event in his or her life. Growing up with a song and making it a part of the person’s existence.

It is also used to teach the person right from wrong. As the village often sings it to the person when he or she commits a crime or mistake and it is said that the vibes of the song take away the wish to do wrong and evil.

The story takes it to the end of the lifecycle of the person. When he or she lies on the deathbed, the family and the villagers sing the same song.

When a soul is born with a song and leaves with that same song, the life of that soul is lyrical and rhythmic, the spirit lives forever.

There is not much evidence of such tribe and their birthing song, but such stories give mankind the feeling of being aligned with the higher spirits. The feeling of community and the wellbeing of all is the baseline of such fable-like stories.

The internet may carry such stories and many new facets may be added to it, but at the end, it is important to understand the belief and faith of such stories.

Africa, a continent with many such spiritual and fable-like stories, has so much to tell the whole world. We just need to listen. Listen to the song of life!

Photos from the Internet

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Anumita Roy

Anumita Roy is an artist at heart and legal/medical interpreter by profession. She creates word images in her verses and loves to write short stories. Mother of children in the spectrum, she advocates special needs issues in whichever way possible. Born in India, brought up in several countries, makes her a true global citizen. She now lives in the Columbus, Ohio, with her family and follows her passion for writing and advocacy being the Managing Editor of Different Truths.