Lonkundo is the founder and culture hero of the Mongo Nikundo people of the Congo basin in Africa.
The first people of the forests didn’t know how to hunt animals and it was Lonkundo who taught them how. One night the spirit of his father appeared in his dream. “You must observe the earth very carefully my son,” he told him, “look for the paw prints of the animals and follow them. It will take you right up to the home of the creature. You will learn their ways and then you can set a trap to catch them.”
“A trap, father? What is that?” asked Lonkundo in wonder. It was never easy to catch an animal, he knew. “I will tell you how to make one. For that, you have to get some twigs and some raffia fibres,” said his spirit father and proceeded to guide him on how to make an animal trap. When he woke up, Lonkundo collected some raffia fibres and twigs and followed his father’s instructions to make a trap. Then he set it on the path of a creature he tracked to its den. The mission was successful and the animal was trapped. Delighted, Lonkundo wandered wide and far tracking animals and setting traps. Thus he was able to feed his people. He also taught them how to set their own traps and they were never without meat again.
One night, Lonkundo dreamt that he had caught the sun in one of his traps and woke up with a start. Dawn was just breaking but Lonkundo went to inspect the traps he had set the night before. As he went deeper into the forest, he could see a brilliant light burn from one of the traps.
As he approached closer, he found a beautiful woman, radiant and shining like the sun, hanging from the raffia noose of the trap! Was she the Sun princess, wondered Lonkundo. “I’m so sorry, beautiful one! Here, let me get you out,” he apologised and gently released her.
The woman shone like polished gold and Lonkundo was entranced by her breathtaking beauty. He immediately asked her to become his wife. “My name is Illankaka,” said the woman,” I will marry you on one condition; you must never tell anyone that you caught me in a trap.” “Agreed!” said Lonkundo happily and took her home.
Now, in those times a man’s prosperity was measured not only by his wealth but also by the number of wives he took. Soon, Lonkundo acquired many more wives. Over time, other families became jealous of Lonkundo’s wealth and he decided that he would move away deeper into the forest to live.
As they travelled into the jungle, they heard the screeching of parrots. “That’s a very good omen, Lokundo,” said Illankaka, “let us stop and make our home here.”
They cut down trees and built their huts. Lonkundo gave each of his many wives a hut each. But one of the wives, Nsombe, was not at all pleased with the hut given to her.” “No,” she said shaking her head angrily, “this is too small for me, Lonkundo and ugly too! Build another one for me.”
Lonkundo was very angry. He had been building hut after hut for all his wives and here was this ungrateful woman now wanting another! “No way!” he shouted, “this is what you will get, take it or leave it!”
Nsome had a son, Yonjwa, who was now a strapping young fellow. Seeing his parents fighting, he called his mother aside and said, “Mother, don’t you worry, I will build you a bigger and better hut. Come, let’s leave father and go away to the far side of the forest.” Nsome and Yonjwa left the family and went away.
Illankaka was pleased. She planted a magic nut which grew into a palm tree. On it grew large nuts which she plucked and gave her husband to eat. Lonkundo ate them. They were delicious! “Come, let’s share it with the others too,” said he but that made Illankaka very angry. “No!” she said,” they are only for you and me!”
Lonkundo became annoyed. How could she be so selfish, he thought. “Now, now, Illankaka, don’t be so proud! Have you forgotten how I caught you in a trap?” he asked her.
As soon as he uttered these words, Illankaka vanished as magically as she had appeared one dawn all those years ago. Lonkundo realised that he had broken that promise made long ago. He knew that Illankaka, the Sun Bride would never return to him.