The Story of Nyangoro and the curse of the Basingo clan
The two brothers Mulindwa and Mugenyi(the visitor), were emotionally attached to each other, had everything in common and always attempted everything together. The women of the Bachwezi watched them leave for hunting and commented on their beauty and strength. Mulindwa excelled Mugenyi and Mugenyi’s mother Nyangoro, (from engoro, a reed), was jealous and decided she had to kill Mulindwa.
Mulindwa loved her but could not marry her because she was his father’s wife. When they returned from hunting Mulindwa brought Nyangoro some flowers but had to wait for an opportunity to make love to her. The brothers had decided to go and watch their cattle at the salt lick but Mulindwa pretended to be sick and remained behind.
Mugenyi went alone. Nyangoro learnt this, dug a pit in her hut, filled it with boiling water and covered it. When Mulindwa called upon her, he fell into the hot water and Nyangoro covered the pit with mats to suffocate him. His cries were reported to Mugenyi who hurried to help him, lifted his body out of the water and poured milk upon him. Mugenyi wanted to kill Nyangoro but Mulindwa said that a son should not kill his mother.
Mugenyi forgave his mother but he seized and killed many of her daughters and other members of her clan, the Basingo. Mulindwa cursed the Basingo, and from that day princes have never married into the clan.