Once upon a time the animals made a kraal and put some fat in it. They agreed that one of their number should remain to be the keeper of the gate. The first one that was appointed was the coney (imbila). He agreed to take charge, and all the others went away. In a short…
Category: Africa
Concerning the Woman, the Ape, and the Child (FOLK STORIES FROM SOUTHERN NIGERIA WEST AFRICA, 1910) BY ELPHINSTONE DAYRELL
Okun Archibong was one of King Archibong’s slaves, and lived on a farm near Calabar. He was a hunter, and used to kill bush buck and other kinds of antelopes and many monkeys. The skins he used to dry in the sun, and when they were properly cured, he used to sell them in the…
Top 5 Most Cunning Lies in Fairy and Folk Tales
Lies and liars have always been an important theme in fairy tales and every tradition has got it’s own takes on the morality of lies. There are countless portrays of liars in fairy and folk tales. Therefore fairy tales provide us with a lot of insight into the world’s cultures. There are so many tales that…
JACKAL’S BRIDE (South-African Folk-Tales, 1910) by James A. Honey
Jackal, it is said, married Hyena, and carried off a cow belonging to the ants, to slaughter her for the wedding; and when he had slaughtered her, he put the cowskin over his bride; and when he had fixed a pole (on which to hang the flesh), he placed on the top of the pole…
LION’S SHARE (South-African Folk-Tales, 1910) by James A. Honey
Lion and Jackal went together a-hunting. They shot with arrows. Lion shot first, but his arrow fell short of its aim; but Jackal hit the game, and joyfully cried out, “It has hit.” Lion looked at him with his two large eyes; Jackal, however, did not lose his countenance, but said, “No, uncle, I mean…
JACKAL AND MONKEY (South-African Folk-Tales, 1910) by James A. Honey
Every evening Jackal went to the Boer’s kraal. He crept through the sliding door and stole a fat young lamb. This, clever Jackal did several times in succession. Boer set a wip for him at the door. Jackal went again and zip—there he was caught around the body by the noose. He swung and swayed high…