MPEZENI’S MONI Vs CHITIMUKULU’S MWASHIBUKENI
By Amos Zulu, International Communications Expert
Immediately after Zambia gained independence in 1964, two eminent leaders were invited to the United Kingdom for official talks with the Queen. They were Paramount Chief Chitimukulu, head of the Bemba-speaking people, and Paramount Chief Mpezeni, leader of the Ngoni.
Chitimukulu was ushered in first. With all the dignity of his office, he greeted Her Majesty in Bemba: “Mwashibukeni” — a courteous phrase meaning “Good morning, how did you wake up?”. It was a refined salutation, steeped in tradition. Unfortunately, the Queen and her attendants had no idea what he had said. They exchanged puzzled glances and, in that peculiarly British way, whispered that perhaps he was not terribly well educated.
Then came Mpezeni. He strode forward and declared cheerily: “Moni” — the Ngoni word for “Hello”. To the Queen’s ears, it sounded remarkably like “Morning.” Her face lit up, and the Princess chimed in with a hearty, “Good morning, good morning!”. At once, they concluded that this chief must be the clever one, simply because his greeting resembled their own tongue.
