Ichiwanda/Ifiwanda/Ichisongola/Kanumba
The Ichiwanda comes from the Lamba people of Zambia, formerly Rhodesia. They are sometimes described as demons, but this is largely an inaccurate term because they can be benevolent under certain circumstances. They can cause madness to those they take possession of, may cause a lingering ulcer, and they are also commonly associated with leprosy. They can also be responsible for accidents of carelessness. There is a similar creature called a Umusako. It’s also believed everyone has an “Attendant Ichiwanda” functioning much like a guardian angel, protecting them from things like wild animals, but they may also punish a person for their misdeeds. Sometimes they reveal the breaking of taboos, but other times, they may be the ones who cause people to break those taboos in the first place. They make sure that the dead are given proper rites, and if an Ichiwanda is watching over a woman who then dies, it will watch over her husband after her death. If he remarries before the proper steps are taken, the Ichiwanda may make this new woman sick until the man properly appeases it. They may also guard over a reborn Umupashi. They resembled humans with dark skin and do not wear any clothes. They have long red hair that stands straight up, with eyes that constantly look upward. They prefer darkness, and wander around in the forest. Sometimes old men would see them as distant ghosts. They are also capable of making themselves invisible. One story of an Ichiwanda tells of it marrying a woman but refusing to eat her food. He instead goes off into the forest and rips off his limbs to attract flies which he eats instead. They sometimes beat people to the point of death. They may possess wild animals and cause them to attack people. This however can be combated by calling out the animal for being an Ichiwanda and brandishing a spear at them. In other circumstances however they may instead hit someone in the eye and tell that person to not speak of the attack or it will kill them. Attacks from these creatures can be treated with special leaves called Amawula Afiwanda, which can be burned, then its smoke can help the victim. The leaves can also be drank when soaked in a bowl of water. An Ichiwanda can be exorcized from a person by a Awalaye, who pours medicated water onto the victim’s head and feeds him python stew to rid him of the Ichiwanda by throwing him up.
Citations:
Doke, Clement Martyn. The Lambas of Northern Rhodesia: a study of their customs and beliefs. India, G.G. Harrap, Limited, 1931.
