A Boastful Man Borne by a Brave Woman: The Mubila Epic of the Lega (Democratic Republic of the Congo)

Abstract

This paper focuses on the hero Mubila and his wife Kabungulu, protagonists of the Mubila (Mubela) epic of the Lega. The oral narration was recorded in writing by Daniel P. Biebuyck in 1953 from Kambala Mubila of the Beianangi group residing in a remote Lega hamlet. Together with his apprentice and four percussionists, Kambala Mubila recounted, sang, and dramatized the narrative over several days to a large group of interactive participants. Close examination of the text reveals that while Mubila is identified as the central hero of the epic who loudly professes his victory over adversaries, he is more often than not assisted by his wife Kabungulu. One can go so far as to say that he would not be the hero he claims to be without the help of his wife who overcomes his enemies by directly intervening on his behalf.