Chapter 5 Summary

Vatete, Masvita's aunt from the other village, is very sick. Nhamo is woken up to cut grass for her bedding. Messengers have been sent to Vatete's village for the nganga, the healer. Before he can arrive, however, Vatete dies. The messengers bring back news that the sickness is killing many in her village. Masvita tells Nhamo it's cholera. Masvita's father, Nhamo's Uncle Kufa, thinks witchcraft is responsible, so Nhamo assumes there will be a witch-finding ceremony. Vatete's body is prepared for burial. The mourners walk to her grave in single file so the witches won't think there's a body to be found and used for evil.

At night, Masvita and Nhamo cannot sleep, so Nhamo tells a story. It's about a woman and her husband who have twins. Because twins are considered evil, they are not allowed to live. The parents can't bear...