Editing Ubantu:Contents:Religion:KidiniIntro (section)

====Msafu ya Misambwa - The Book of Spirits====

Misambwa are an order of nature spirits apart from the Mizimu. Their Msafu is a collection of verses and evocations praising aspects of nature, both in general and in particular. These spirits were not widely worshipped by the Bantu of Earth, though they are known to the Buganda and Bakongo and other peoples, but they gained much prominence in Ubantu. There are verses for the Lord Sun (Kumwene), the Moon as the Queen of Heaven (Jenkozana), the Earthmother (Nkwoga), the Rainbow (Musoke), the Lightening Birds (Nzazi Ndege), the River Spirits (Misimbi), Mountain Spirits (Mikishi), Ocean Spirits (Migoloko), Wind Spirits (Mikela) and the Forest Spirits (Mijengi). The Sea Queen ( Mbovyajiva) is a little different, and seems to have been recently added. As Mboya she is the wife of Nzambi, one of the Names of God, mentioned in His third evocation, whereas Dziva is one of the feminine Creators. Mbovyajiva, with a slightly different spelling, is the first wife of Unkulunkintu, who is cast into the sea. She has gained a following in the coastal cities as a Sea Goddess, the concept of which is mostly lacking in Earthly Bantu religions.