Praise song to the lion

From African shaman, author and lion priest Credo Mutva. 

Ngonyama, lion, lord of the forests!

Creature that puzzled our forefathers, who did not know what to make of you!

And they called you ngonyama, the creature with two fleshes

They called you ngonyama, the creature of two shapes

They said that your tail was that o the bull of the skies, of the bull of heaven

They said that your mane was that of the great baboon of the wilds

And they said that your head was nobler than that of ingwe, the leopard

Ngonyama, symbol of the kings of the Zulu people!

Ngonyama, thunder of the valleys!

You, whose roar frightens the dreams our of the heads of sleeping warriors!

Ngonyama, you whose footprint is never erased by the passing winds!

Ngonyama, where your roar is heard, there is life to be found!

Ngonyama, where you are smelt, there is no evil.

And where you are heard, there is no ill.

And where you are seen there is no fear!

Ngonyama, long may you walk the plains of this land!

Bayte!

From the book Isilwane The Animal, Credo Mutwa