Lilac-breasted Roller, the Bird of Peace

Source: Credo Mutwa

Let me tell you about the langazana, the beautiful ‘bird of the sun,’ the Lilac-breasted roller.

This is the bird of peace and reconciliation. This is the bird that was often sacrificed by kings who were making peace. One of these little birds was taken and its throat was cut with a battle spear, which was thus purified of evil and sanctified with the blood of the ‘bird of the sun.’ The spear was ceremoniously broken by the two kings and buried in a hole and then the langazana, bird was buried on top of this spear and thus peace was made.