HISTORY OF MTEMI KAPELA OF UKUNE AND THE HISTORY OF THE CHIEFDOM OF UKUNE(Part Two)THE MILITARY ALLIANCE BETWEEN KAPELA AND MILAMBOKapela was a very brave warrior, but it is believed that his nephew Milambo was even braver and commanded a more ruthless army than Kapela’s. Milambo and Kapela went to fight wars in Ufipa and Kigoma.On their journey, Kapela and his forces passed through Kasulu, Kibondo, and finally Kigoma. Milambo passed through Mpanda. However, Kapela did not fight in Kigoma because his mother originated from Kigoma; in other words, the people there were his maternal uncles. In addition, his chief diviner was also from Kigoma.On his return journey, Kapela met his nephew Milambo at the Malagarasi River, each with his own army. Once again, a dispute arose over who should cross first. Eventually, they agreed that both Kapela and Milambo would board the same canoe and cross together. It is believed that Milambo intended to kill Kapela, but Kapela discovered this plot.After crossing, all the armies headed to Milambo’s palace, known as Ikonongo. Kapela set up his camp some distance away, outside Milambo’s palace. Milambo informed his wives—who were more than ten—that his uncle, Mtemi Kapela, had arrived, so they all went together to greet him, lining up in a row.The first two wives stepped forward. The first wife, Wipunga, who wore a shilungu (or jilungu) around her neck, and the second wife, who wore a copper shilungu and was called Mihopa, both carried gifts. The first wife brought two elephant tusks, and the second brought one elephant tusk as gifts for their in-law. The following day, Kapela decided to return to his home in Ukune after bidding farewell to Mtemi Milambo.THE WAR IN USUKUMANIA few days after Kapela returned home from Ikonongo, Milambo sent word to his uncle Kapela telling him to prepare himself, as he was coming to take him along to fight his enemies. Kapela accepted the invitation. Milambo arrived with his army near the Ukune palace and set up camp on Mangua Hill. Milambo told Kapela that their journey would head toward Usukumani via Ukamba, Luhombo, and Tinde.When they reached the border between Tinde and Usanda, Milambo said that he would pass through Shinyanga while Kapela would go through Nindo, and that they would meet in Usumau. Milambo had heard rumors that there were many cattle belonging to the Wasukuma in the Busiya area, and he intended to seize them. Kapela told Milambo that when he reached Usanda, he should not attack that area because his maternal relatives lived there.Milambo’s expedition was unsuccessful because the Wasukuma had received information that he was coming to take their cattle. The Wasukuma hid their cattle in the bush, and Milambo ended up capturing only women. He continued as far as Seke, where he encountered a large herd of cattle belonging to Ngw’anamalundi, a man renowned for his powerful witchcraft.Milambo failed to seize the cattle, and many of his soldiers died due to Ngw’anamalundi’s magic and from hunger. Milambo went straight to Usumau, where he and Kapela had agreed to meet at a place called Bungulwa.Kapela succeeded in capturing many cattle, including the ritual bull of the chief of Buhungikila. That bull was called Ilindilo, meaning “the bull that protects the land.” Milambo told Kapela that he had encountered a Sukuma man who was a witch and had wiped out his soldiers. When Milambo saw the bull Ilindilo, he desired it greatly and said to his uncle, “Give me this bull.” Kapela refused and told him, “This bull belongs to the chief; I cannot give it away.” Kapela and Milambo stayed for a long time in Usukumani—Nela, Usumau, and Uhungukila—and they succeeded in capturing much wealth, many cattle, and also people.KAPELA AND MILAMBO RETURN HOMEAfter the wars in Usukumani ended, they returned via Ngaya and Kahama and arrived in Ukune. Milambo went to his camp at Mangua. Later, he sent his soldiers to Kapela to ask for cattle for meat, and they were given 45 cattle. Milambo sent them again to request more cattle, and they were given 25 cattle. After several days, he sent them a third time. Kapela remained silent and gave no response.The soldiers returned and reported to Milambo. Milambo told them that perhaps Kapela had not heard them and instructed them to go again. The soldiers returned once more, and again they received no response. Milambo then sent one soldier to tell Kapela that they should meet the following day.Mtemi Kapela agreed to meet Milambo. The next day, the two met, each accompanied by his army. Milambo demanded to be given that bull, Ilindilo, or to be given more cattle. Kapela replied, “I have already given you many cattle; all of this shows only that you are ungrateful.”Milambo’s intention was to obtain the bull Ilindilo, and none of the cattle he was receiving included Ilindilo. That bull was special, for it had hair of many colors, long like the mane of a male lion. When he realized he would not get it, he continued to press his demands in order to fulfill his desire to obtain Ilindilo. After fierce arguments, Milambo told Kapela that he was going to build Isela Magazi lya Wapela (meaning “the river of blood of Kapela’s followers”), and if Kapela defeated him, he would take all of Kapela’s property.Kapela, in turn, told Milambo that he would build Iboja Mishinzi ya Balambo, and if he defeated him, he would take all of Milambo’s wives along with his property. Milambo’s statement about building Isela Magazi lya Wapela and Kapela’s statement about building the fortress of Iboja Mishinzi (meaning “the fortress of braiding the hair of Milambo’s followers,” since Milambo’s soldiers did not shave their hair) are the origins of the names Iboja—the palace of Kapela, a name still used today—and Isela Magazi, which was one of Milambo’s palaces and whose name is also still used today.TO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW MORNING