Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Then for the first time Dorcas heard, for hitherto all had seemed to happen in silence. "Die, Umtakati! Die, you wizard, as the King commands, and feed the river-dwellers," said a deep voice. There followed a struggle, a horrible twisting of shapes, and the elderly man vanished over the cliff, while a moment later from below came the noise of a great splash.
Indeed, the person who does so is apt to be called an "umtakati", or bewitcher, who will bring evil upon its head, a word that I heard murmured by several near to me. Nandie dragged it from him, saying: "Would you bring death upon my son, O Chief of the Amasomi?" Then, turning, she walked away from the feasters, upon whom there fell a certain hush.
Tell us, now, the nature of this muti, and, being wise, as you are, be careful to tell us truly, lest it should be said, O Zikali, that you are not a Nyanga only, but an umtakati as well.
"Yes, Inkoosi, especially as the pitfalls are dug from side to side of the path and have a pointed stake set at the bottom of each of them. Oh, Mameena is already as good as dead, as she deserves to be, who without doubt is the greatest umtakati north of the Tugela." "And what did Saduko say to that?" I asked.
Thus one day I heard a great tumult and shouting proceeding apparently from the Isigodhlo, or royal enclosure, and on inquiring what it was afterwards, was told that Cetewayo had come from the Amangwe kraal and denounced Nomantshali, the King's wife, as "umtakati", or a witch.
Therefore by the spirit of that woman, which still can draw you like a rope, I charge you, tell me what does this old wizard mean, and why should I not kill him and be rid of one who haunts my heart like an evil vision of the night and, as I sometimes think, is an umtakati, an evil-doer, who would work ill to me and all my House, yes, and to all my people?"
Word Of The Day