MISHA miSHYAANG MATUUM

Misha miShyaang Matuum (who flourished in the early 17th century) ruled as king early in the history of the Kuba, an ethnic group living east of the confluence of the Kasai and Sankuru rivers.

Of Lele origins, the Lele live just west of the Kuba across the Kasai River. Misha came to the Kuba throne following a succession crisis. The incumbent dynasty, founded by Mboong a lyool at the end of the Kuba migrations, ended when Lashyaang Latot Landoon was killed accidentally near the present village of Kosh, several kilometers from the capital, Nsheeng (Mushenge), located 75 km (45 mi) east of modern Ilobo.

Because there were no male heirs in the royal Matoon clan, and the women who might have risen to the throne were ineligible following a scandal precipitated by an ill-disposed queen, the throne was vacant.

Thus, after having won two earlier succession quarrels, the Matoon clan risked losing the throne permanently. Therefore, they called on Misha miShyaang Matuum, the son of a Bushoong princess, Shyaang a Mbul, married to a local Lele man according to some, or in exile with her son among the Lele, according to others. It is possible that Misha miShyaang was of the Matuum or Ntuun clan, called Matundu among the Lele of the east, where they reign to this day.

Oral tradition indicates that Misha miShyaang was so uncouth that it was necessary to teach him how to behave as a ruler. Suspicious, he came to council meetings armed with bow and arrow. Although Misha never felt secure among his Bushoong subjects, he was able to reorganise the Kuba kingdom and recapture regions his predecessor had abandoned to the Kete and the Pyaang. Although tradition portrays Misha miShyaang as an individual ruler, in actuality he symbolises an entire dynasty, a dynasty deposed by Shyaam a Mbul aNgoong.

Shyaam aMbul is recalled as a conqueror who came from the Kwango-Kwilu region. Either the son of a slave or the offspring of a legitimate Bushoong prince, he brought important innovations to the Kuba after making a voyage into the Kwango area. Supposedly Misha miShyaang banished Shyaam from the kingdom. Taking refuge among the Kel, Shyaam was hidden by Mbakam Mashing, who refused to deliver him to the envoys of the nyim (ruler). (To this day, an enemy of the nyim, fleeing to the Kel, receives sanctuary.)

Returning to the capital, Shayaam hid with Kaan Kabady at Mbaanc. When the king asked about Shayaam, Kaan Kabady implied that Shayaam was dead by declaring that he was underground. Put to the test of poison to prove the truth of his declaration, Kaan Kabady did not die, for Shayaam was indeed underground in a large, covered well. Misha miShyaang was tricked again when he invited to his capital the wearer of the new Nyeeng mask, who had appeared at Mbaanc. The masked man was his enemy Shyaam, who profited from his stay in the capital to bury charms. The magical power of the charms enabled the interloper to dethrone the reigning nyim, MishamiShyaang. Misha miShyaang fled with his wives and children. Several days later his family hung themselves in the plain of Nga Shiim. After a prolonged stay in the forest, Misha miShyaang himself died after being caught in a trap for animals.

BELEPE BOPE MABINTCH