Where Animals Talk: West African Folk Lore Tales - free ebook by Robert Hamill Nassau

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Where Animals Talk: West African Folk Lore Tales

Robert Hamill Nassau

69 chapters

19 hour read

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69 chapters

PREFACE

PREFACE

The typical native African Ekano or legend is marked by repetition. The same incidents occur to a succession of individuals; monotony being prevented by a variation in the conduct of those individuals, as they reveal their weakness or stupidity, artifice or treachery. Narrators, while preserving the original plot and characters of a Tale, vary it, and make it graphic by introducing objects known and familiar to their audience. These inconsistencies do not interfere with belief or offend the tast

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PRONUNCIATION

PRONUNCIATION

Part First Mpongwe Tribe Part Second Benga Tribe Part Third Fang Tribe Part Second Benga Tribe Part Third Fang Tribe The following sixteen Tales were narrated to me, many years ago, by two members of the Mpongwe tribe (one now dead) at the town of Libreville, Gaboon river, equatorial West Africa. Both of them were well-educated persons, a man and a woman. They chose legends that were current in their own tribe. They spoke in Mpongwe; and, in my English rendition, I have retained some of their na

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TALE 1 Do Not Trust Your Friend

TALE 1 Do Not Trust Your Friend

Leopard replies, “Yes, you do not lie. People say truly that Njĕgâ is bad. But, look you, Ntori, I, Njĕgâ, am an evil one: but my badness comes from other animals. Because, when I go out to visit, there is no one who salutes me. When anyone sees me, he flees with fear. But, for what does he fear me? I have not vexed him. So, I pursue the one that fears me. I want to ask him, ‘Why do you fear me?’ But, when I pursue it, it goes on fleeing more rapidly. So, I become angry, wrath rises in my heart,

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TALE 2 Leopard’s Hunting Camp

TALE 2 Leopard’s Hunting Camp

So they began to make two camps. Leopard said, “Ntori! child! I have mine here. You go there yonder.” So they built their booths for sleeping-places; and rested another day; and then built their arala (drying frames) over their fire-places for smoke-drying the meat that they hoped to obtain. Next day, they prepared their guns, and started out on the hunt. On that very first day, they met game, and, ku! (bang) went their guns, killing an Elephant, and, ku! a wild Ox. Then Leopard said, “Ntori! ch

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TALE 3 Tests of Death—1st Version

TALE 3 Tests of Death—1st Version

Next day, word came to him, “Njĕgâ is dead.” Rat went quickly, taking the five little bundles with him. When he reached Leopard’s town, he joined the crowd of mourners in the street, and lifted up his voice in wailing. Leopard’s head-wife went to him, and said, “Come into the house, and mourn with me, at your Uncle’s bed-side.” Rat went with her; but he did not take the seat that was offered him, as a near relative, at the supposed dead man’s head. He first explained, “After a person is reported

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TALE 3 Tests of Death—Second Version

TALE 3 Tests of Death—Second Version

Then soon, the daylight broke. And Leopard, carrying out their plan, said to Jackal, “Take up your bedding, and put it out in the open air of the street.” Jackal did so. Leopard laid down on that mattress, in accordance with their plan, and stretched out like a corpse lying still, as if he could not move a muscle. He said to Jackal, “Call Ngomba, and let him come to me.” So Jackal shouted, “Come! Ngomba, come! That Beast that kills animals is dead! Come!” So Porcupine came to the mourning, weepi

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TALE 4 Tasks Done for a Wife

TALE 4 Tasks Done for a Wife

All the Beasts were competing for the prize. First, Elephant went on that errand. The merchant said to him, “Do such-and-such tasks, and you shall have my daughter. More than that, I will give you wealth also.” Elephant went at the tasks, tried, and failed; and came back saying he could not succeed. Next, Gorilla stood up; he went. And the merchant told him, in the same way as to Elephant, that he was to do certain tasks. Gorilla tried, and failed, and came back disgusted. Then, Hippopotamus adv

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TALE 5 A Tug-of-War

TALE 5 A Tug-of-War

Tortoise heard of what Elephant and Hippopotamus had been threatening, and he asked his informant just the exact words that they had used, “They said that they waited to hear you dare to speak to them; and that, in the meanwhile, they despised you.” Tortoise asked, “So! they despise me, do they?” “Yes,” was the reply. Then he said, “So! indeed, I will go to them.” He told his wife, “Give me my coat to cover my body.” He dressed; and started to the forest. He found Elephant lying down; his trunk

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TALE 6 Agĕnda: Rat’s Play on a Name

TALE 6 Agĕnda: Rat’s Play on a Name

The absurd and the unreasonable ( e.g. , the swallowing of a wife, goats, servants, etc.) are a constant feature of the native legends in their use of the impossible. All native Africans have more than one name, and often change their names to suit circumstances. But, while all their names have a meaning (just as our English names, “Augustus,” “Clara,” etc.) those meanings are not thought of when denominating an individual; e.g. , “Bwalo” which means canoe . Leopards do not like to wet their fee

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TALE 7 “Nuts Are Eaten Because of Angângwe”; A Proverb

TALE 7 “Nuts Are Eaten Because of Angângwe”; A Proverb

One day, having gone hunting, he killed Elephant. The children went out to cut it up and bring it in. Another day, he killed Gorilla. And so, each day, he killed some animal. He never failed of obtaining something. One day, his children said to him, “You always return with some animal; but you never have brought us Ngowa.” He replied, “I saw many Ingowa today, when I was out there. But, I wonder at one thing; that, when they are all together eating, and I approach, they run away. As to Ingowa, t

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TALE 8 Who Are Crocodile’s Relatives?

TALE 8 Who Are Crocodile’s Relatives?

Then the Council of Animals demanded of the Beasts on what ground they based their claim for relationship, and what answer they could make to the argument of the birds as to Crocodile’s egg-origin. The Beasts said, “It may be true that the mark of tribe must be found, in a beginning , but not in an egg. For, all Beings began as eggs. Life is the original beginning. Look you! When life really begins in the egg, then the mark of tribe is shown. When Ngando’s life began, he had four legs as we have

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TALE 9 Who is King of Birds?

TALE 9 Who is King of Birds?

One day, they were discussing together on the question, “Who is King of the Birds?” They all, each one, named himself, e.g. , the Chicken said, “I!;” the Parrot, “I!” the Eagle “I!” and so on. Every day they had this same discussion. They were not able to settle it, or to agree to choose any one of their number. So, they said, “Let us go to Ra-Njambi, and refer the question to him.” They agreed; and all went to him so that he might name who was the superior among them. When they all had arrived

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TALE 10 “Njiwo Died of Sleep”: A Proverb

TALE 10 “Njiwo Died of Sleep”: A Proverb

In the meantime, Antelope and his wife had reached the town, where the news of his death had preceded them; and the people wondered, saying, “Nyare reported that you were cut to pieces!” Then Antelope’s wife explained that he would have been killed, because Ox had not made every effort to arouse him from his deep sleep. So the friendship of Ox and Antelope ended. And the proverb came, that, “Eziwo died of sleep.” Persons NOTE Accept no challenge whose test you know you cannot endure. Oyster, wit

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TALE 11 Which is the Fattest?

TALE 11 Which is the Fattest?

These facts about the Hog and Oyster were reported to the King, and when he inquired how Manatus was getting on, lo! it was found that she had such abundance of fat, that the oil flowing from her had burst into flame and had set the town on fire. At this, the King wondered, and exclaimed, “This Manga, that lives in the water, has yet enough fat to set the town afire!” Then Manatus with Hog and Oyster went and sat together in the open court before the King’s house, to await what would be his deci

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TALE 12 Why Mosquitoes Buzz

TALE 12 Why Mosquitoes Buzz

Persons NOTE This story is probably of comparatively recent origin though known at least fifty years ago. It seems to point to the time when white men began to taunt negroes because of their color, the common insult by an angry white master being “You black monkey!” The tale cannot antedate the first coming of white men to West Africa three hundred years ago; for, no native would have invented this insult, though they do now imitate white men, when, in a quarrel, they wish to taunt an opponent.

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TALE 13 Unkind Criticism

TALE 13 Unkind Criticism

Monkey was ashamed, and lathered the soap over his hands until they were white with foam. “Now,” said Tortoise, “put your hand into the water to remove the foam.” Monkey did so; and his hands were still black. The rest of the company objected to his black hand going into their food. And he went away ashamed and hungry. Place Njambi’s Country Persons NOTE This story evidently dates back to the first introduction of Rum into Africa. Gorilla’s “new kind of water” was Rum. Telinga’s cheating did not

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TALE 14 The Suitors of Princess Gorilla

TALE 14 The Suitors of Princess Gorilla

King Gorilla had a daughter, whose beauty had been much praised. She being of marriageable age, he announced to all the tribes that he would give her in marriage to any one who could accomplish a certain task. He said he would not take any of the goods usually given in payment for a wife, as dowry. But, that he had a new kind of water, such as had never before been seen; and, whoever could drink an entire barrelful of it, should have the prize that had been coveted by many. So, all the tribes ca

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TALE 15 Leopard of the Fine Skin

TALE 15 Leopard of the Fine Skin

Her father did not like her to speak in that way; nevertheless, he did not forbid her. When men began to come to the father and say, “I desire your daughter Ilâmbe for a wife,” he would say, “Go, and ask herself.” Then when the man went to Ilâmbe’s house, and would say, “I have come to ask you in marriage,” her only reply was a question, “Have you a clear skin, and no blotches on your body?” If he answered, “Yes,” Ilâmbe would say, “But, I must see for myself; come into my room.” There she requi

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TALE 16 Why The Plantain-Stalk Bears But One Bunch

TALE 16 Why The Plantain-Stalk Bears But One Bunch

Not long after this, Plantain was to become a mother; and people went to Palm-tree to inform her of the fact. This daughter Plantain did not obey her mother’s directions, but remained in the town until her child was born. This was told to mother Palm-tree, who was dissatisfied, and said, “Eh! I told Akândâ to have her child born with me!” The reason that Palm-tree had given this direction to Plantain was, that, as her own custom, in bearing her palm-nuts, was to have several bunches in sight at

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FOREWORD

FOREWORD

Persons Ingowa (Hogs) NOTE Unlike other native legends based on “they say,” the native narrator, now more than 40 years ago, gave the name and family name of the man who is stated to have reported that he heard Swine talking with human speech. There was a certain man in the time long ago, by name Bokona, whose family name was Bodikito. He went to the depths of the forest to do some business. When he was about to return in the afternoon to go to his village, he heard in advance of him, a noise of

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TALE 1 Swine Talking

TALE 1 Swine Talking

Persons Two children were bathing in a river; and a crocodile came where they were. It seized one, and, grasping it with its teeth, went with it to its hole in the river bank. It did not kill him, but said to him, “I leave you here, and I go straight back to bring the other one who remained.” After the crocodile had left, the one thus put into the hole, turning his eyes about, saw it full of living fish (kept on hand by the crocodile as its food-supply). He saw also that there was another openin

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TALE 2 Crocodile

TALE 2 Crocodile

Persons NOTE I have never seen the place; but, intelligent natives, (though they did not believe in the legend itself) told me there was the likeness to a human foot-print in a rock on the beach of the north shore of Corisco Bay. Doubtless a fossil. Uhâdwe, Bokume, and Njâku were human beings, all three born of one mother. (Afterwards Bokume was called “Njâpĕ.”) As time went on, Uhâdwe called his brethren, Bokume and Njâku, and said, “My brothers! Let us separate; myself, I am going to the Great

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TALE 3 Origin of the Elephant

TALE 3 Origin of the Elephant

When Uhâdwe had gone thence and emerged at the Sea, from the place where he emerged there grew the stem of “bush-rope” (the Calamus palm); and the staff he held became a mangrove forest. The footprints where he and his dog trod are there on the beach of Corisco Bay until this day. He created a sand-bank from where he stood, extending through the ocean, by which he crossed over to the Land of the Great Sea. When he reached that Land, he prepared a ship. He put into it every production by which wh

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TALE 4 Leopard’s Marriage Journey

TALE 4 Leopard’s Marriage Journey

When they reached the marriage town, food was set before them. But Leopard immediately began to groan and scream, “I’m dead! I’m dead! I’m dead with pain!” Wild Goat sympathisingly inquired, “What shall I do to help you?” Leopard replied, as in the case of Rat, “Go back to that tree, and get its bark as a medicine for me.” Wild Goat went; and while he was away, Leopard ate the food, leaving very little of it. On his return, Wild Goat protested at so little being given him. Leopard explained, “In

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TALE 5 Tortoise in a Race

TALE 5 Tortoise in a Race

Tortoise spoke audaciously, “You, Mbalanga, cannot surpass me in a race!” Antelope laughed, having accepted the challenge; while Tortoise pretended to sneer, and said, “I am the one who will overcome!” The course chosen, beginning on the beach south of Batanga, was more than seventy miles from the Campo River northward to the Balimba Country. Then Tortoise went away, going everywhere to give directions, and returned to his village. He sent word secretly to all the Tortoise Tribe to call them. Wh

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TALE 6 Goat’s Tournament

TALE 6 Goat’s Tournament

So, pair after pair wrestled, until all of the thirty arranged pairs had contested. Of these, the Leopard tribe were victors ten times; and the Goat Tribe twenty times. Then the Leopard tribe said, “We are ashamed that the report should go out among all the animals that we beat only ten times, and the Tomba twenty times. So, we will not stay any longer here, with their and our towns near together:” for they knew that their Leopard tribe would always be angry when they should see a company of Goa

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TALE 7 Why Goats Became Domestic

TALE 7 Why Goats Became Domestic

Then the Father of All-the-Leopards said, “I am ashamed that this Beast should overcome me. I will kill him!” And he made a plan to do so. He went to the spring where Mankind got their drinking-water. And he stood, hiding at the spring. Men of the town went to the spring to get water; Leopard killed two of them. The people went to tell Goat, “Go away from here, for Leopard is killing Mankind on your account.” The Mother of Goat said to him, “If that is so, let us go to my brother Vyâdu.” So they

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TALE 8 Igwana’s Forked Tongue

TALE 8 Igwana’s Forked Tongue

Leopard went to the forest and killed an Antelope. He and Igwana and their families spent four days in eating it. On another day, Leopard went to the forest and killed a Gazelle. It also was finished in four days. And again, Leopard went to the forest, and killed a Red Antelope. They were occupied in eating it also four days. So, they continued all the two months. Then Leopard said, “Ngâmbi! it is your time to begin the food.” Igwana replied, “I have no wild meat, only vegetables.” On the follow

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TALE 9 What Caused their Deaths?

TALE 9 What Caused their Deaths?

Dog stayed there inside the house, until the food was cooked. Then he came out to his friend, and began to set the table, while the women came in with the food, and put it on the table. Dog drew up by the table ready to eat; and Squirrel also; and Squirrel’s wife, and Dog’s wife also, making four at the table. During the eating, Squirrel said to Dog, “My friend! when you left me here in the ikenga, where did you go to, the while that the women were cooking the food?” Dog answered, “Ah! my friend

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TALE 10 A Quarrel About Seniority

TALE 10 A Quarrel About Seniority

One day, in the afternoon, Squirrel and one of his wives went into the house of Adder. The latter said to his wife, “Make ready food.” So, she made a great deal of food. Then he said to his friend Squirrel, “Come, eat!” But Squirrel said, “I won’t eat alone without my wife.” So he called his wife to eat. His wife came and ate at the table. Then he said to Adder, “Also, you call your wife to eat with us.” So Adder’s wife came. And Squirrel said to Adder, “Now let us eat; for, everything is right.

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TALE 11 The Magic Drum

TALE 11 The Magic Drum

Then he exclaimed, “I’ve come here in hunger; and does my coco-nut fall into the water to be lost?” He said to himself, “I’ll leave here, and drop into the water, and follow the nut.” So, he plunged down, splash! into the water. He dove down to where the nut had sunk, to get it. And he was carried away by the current. Following the nut where the current had carried it, he came to the landing-place of a strange Town, where was a large House. People were there in it. And other people were outside,

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TALE 12 The Lies of Tortoise

TALE 12 The Lies of Tortoise

In a very little while, Leopard arrived at the tree. He lifted up his eyes to the top and saw Rat there. To him Leopard said, “Who owns this palm-tree?” Rat replied, “My Chum, Kudu.” But, Leopard asked, “This Kudu, where is he?” Then Leopard flung one of his claws at Rat. It stuck in him, and Rat fell dead. Leopard took Rat’s body and went away with it to his town. And he said to his wife, “Cook this; this is our meat.” Soon after Leopard had gone from the tree, Tortoise came out of his hiding,

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TALE 13 “Death Begins By Some One Person”: A Proverb

TALE 13 “Death Begins By Some One Person”: A Proverb

There was a vine hanging down from the treetop to the ground, and Snail climbed up the vine. Thus the three friends were arranged; Tortoise in the hole at the foot of the tree, Igwana up the trunk a short way, and Snail on the vine half-way to the top. Igwana held on where he was, close to the bark of the tree. He was partly deaf, and did not hear well. After two days, the tree put forth a great abundance of fruit. The fruit all ripened. Very many small Birds came to the tree-top to eat the frui

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TALE 14 Tortoise and the Bojabi Tree

TALE 14 Tortoise and the Bojabi Tree

He entered into the reception-room of Boa’s house, and found him sitting there. Boa welcomed him, and said to his wife, “Prepare food for our guest, Etoli!” And he said to Rat, “Stranger! eat! And then you will tell me what is the message you have brought.” Rat ate and finished, and began to tell his message thus:—He said, “In our country we have nothing there but hunger. But there is there a tree, and this is its fruit. Whether it is fit to be eaten or not, you will tell us.” Boa replied, “That

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TALE 15 The Suitors Of Njambo’s Daughter

TALE 15 The Suitors Of Njambo’s Daughter

Njambo said of his daughter, “This child shall be married only with Beasts.” So when the Beasts heard of that one of them, House-Rat, said, “I’m going to marry that woman!” So he went to the father to arrange what things he should pay on the dowry. Njambo said to him, “I do not want goods. But, if any one shall be able to hew down this tree, he shall marry my child.” At once, Rat took the axe that Njambo handed him, and began to hack at the Tree. He tried and tried, but was not able to make the

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TALE 16 Tortoise, Dog, Leopard and the Njabi Fruit

TALE 16 Tortoise, Dog, Leopard and the Njabi Fruit

He had with him a bag, into which he put food on a journey. So, he filled it with the fruits, and resumed his journey to go back to his town. On his arrival at his house, his wife said to him, “Why did you delay so long?” He replied, “I found a Tree belonging to the Tribes-of-All-the-Beasts. Had they seen me, they would have killed me.” And, he drew the fruits from the bag, and gave his wife and children, saying, “Eat ye!” But, he added, “While you eat of it, do not allow Mbwa to see it.” One of

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TALE 17 A Journey for Salt

TALE 17 A Journey for Salt

So, they started through the forest, going on their journey. They went, and they went, on and on, expecting to go a long way, until they should by evening come to their camping-place for the night. But, on the way, Civet began to say, “Ah! my stomach aches! Ah! my stomach aches!” Tortoise asked, “What do you mean by ‘stomach-ache?’ ” Civet answered, “ ‘Stomach-ache’ means that my bowels trouble me, and that I need to go.” Tortoise said, “Well! go! step aside from the path into the bushes, and we

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TALE 18 A Plea for Mercy

TALE 18 A Plea for Mercy

They all went on their journey to find food. They searched as they walked a distance of several miles. Then they came to a plantation of Njambo’s wife Ivenga. It was distant from Njambo’s town about one hour’s walk. It had a great deal of sugar-cane; also of yams and cassava. It had also a quantity of sweet potatoes. There also, the chickens of Njambo were accustomed to go to scratch for worms among the plants. At once, Civet exclaimed, “I’ll go no further! I like to eat sugar-cane!” So he went

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TALE 19 The Deceptions of Tortoise

TALE 19 The Deceptions of Tortoise

He found on his arrival that his wife had already borne her child, the little tortoise. When Tortoise showed her the meat, she asked him, “Where did you get all this meat?” He replied evasively, “You told me to get you meat; so I went; and I have come with it.” The woman was glad, and said, “Do so every day!” So, another time, Tortoise again went off into the forest. And he came to the town of those Men. They were not there; for, they had gone off on their hunting. He went again into their house

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TALE 20 Leopard’s Hunting Companions

TALE 20 Leopard’s Hunting Companions

The camp had been made near a small stream. At that same hour, Leopard’s nephew came to the camp, according to his uncle’s directions. He had in his hands a plate and a drum. He came near to the house cautiously. With the plate he twice swept the surface of the water, as if bailing out a canoe. Rat heard the swish of the water, and called out, “Who is splashing water there? Who is dabbling in this water?” The nephew responded, “It is I, a friend.” And Rat said, “Well, then come.” The nephew came

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TALE 21 Is the Bat a Bird or a Beast?

TALE 21 Is the Bat a Bird or a Beast?

And the next day broke. At six o’clock, Bat started to go to call Sun. About nine o’clock, he met Sun on the path; and he told Sun what he was come for. But Sun said to him, “Whenever I emerge from my house, I do not go back, but I keep on to the end of my journey. Go back, for another day.” Bat returned to his town. He made other journeys in order to see Sun at his house, five successive days; and every day he was late, and met Sun already on the way of his own journey for his own business. Fin

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TALE 22 Dog, and His Human Speech (1st Version)

TALE 22 Dog, and His Human Speech (1st Version)

Dog said to his mother, “This is the time of my journey.” It was about sun-rise in the morning. And he began his journey. He went the distance of about eight miles; and arrived at the journey’s end before the middle of the morning. He entered the house of Njambo, the father of Eyâle. Njambo and his wife saluted him, “Mbolo!” and he responded, “Ai! mbolo!” Njambo asked him, “My friend! what is the cause of your journey?” Dog, with his animal language, answered, “I have come to marry your daughter

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TALE 22 Dog, and His Human Speech (2nd Version)

TALE 22 Dog, and His Human Speech (2nd Version)

Though the three sisters were daughters of the same mother, the jealousy of two of them for the other one led them to hatred, and an attempt at murder. Their curse laid on Mbwa caused him to be a speechless beast; for, previous to that, he was talking as a human being. “Heart-life” is an entity distinct from both Body and Soul. Njambu married a woman named Nyangwa-Mbwa. She bore a creature that looked like no animal that existed at that time. But, because he spoke as a human being, he was not co

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TALE 23 The Savior of the Animals

TALE 23 The Savior of the Animals

That afternoon he went out again, and found two Gazelles. And he said, “I’ll take these two to town at once; and my father shall eat one today, and the other tomorrow.” But the Gazelles said, “No!—you are the One-Who-Saves-People! Why then should you kill us?” So he loosed them, and let them go. He did the same way to two Elephants. And with two Oxen. At another time he found two Tortoises. And the Tortoises spoke to him as had done the others. And on another day, he found two Leopards. And, he

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TALE 24 Origins of the Ivory Trade (1st Version)

TALE 24 Origins of the Ivory Trade (1st Version)

The young man went into the house, took up a magic spear-head he owned, fitted it onto a stick as a shaft; and going out again, he hurled it at the birds. The spear flew at them, pursuing each one, and piercing every one of them in succession. Then it flew on and on, away out into the forest. The young man took up another medicine-charm that he had with him, and, calling to his spear by name, shouted after it, “Tombeseki-o-o! Come back, back, back, Here! again, again, again, Return!” The spear h

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TALE 24 Origin of the Ivory Trade (2nd Version)

TALE 24 Origin of the Ivory Trade (2nd Version)

Her father asked her, “My child! wherefore the crying, and your carrying the infant?” She replied, “My father! I know not! This one whom you see, since he was born, is not filled. He has made an end to all the plantains of his father’s town, leaving the town a prairie. And his father said to me, ‘Just go and take him to your father’s.’ So, I have brought him.” The towns-people all were laughing, “Kyĕ! kyĕ! kyĕ!” They said, “What? Really, food? No! it’s something else, not food. But, enter into t

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TALE 25 Dog and His False Friend Leopard

TALE 25 Dog and His False Friend Leopard

Leopard came down from the top of the tree; they stood; and then they returned to their town. Food was cooked for them; they ate, and finished. Leopard said, “Chum! you will not see me tomorrow again, no matter what may take place.” Dog asked, “True?” Leopard replied, “Yes!” In the morning, Leopard started southward, for a distance like from Batanga to Campo River (about 40 miles). At the opening of the next day, Dog emerged, and, standing and smelling, he said, looking toward the south, “He wen

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TALE 26 A Trick for Vengeance

TALE 26 A Trick for Vengeance

Then Tortoise said, “This is an evil place, I’m going to move from here.” So he went and built another town called Jamba. Leopard came also, saying, “Kudu! I’m coming to build!” Then Tortoise said, “Really! what have your affairs to do with me? Nevertheless, come and build.” And Leopard built at the end, by the spring. When the children of Tortoise were passing by the spring, Leopard constantly killed them. Tortoise wondered, “This thing which is destroying my children, what is it?” Thus day by

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TALE 27 Not My Fault!

TALE 27 Not My Fault!

Persons NOTE Chameleons move very slowly. This story is given as a reason why, even if one is small in body, he should not be despised, as though he had no strength, or as though he could with impunity be deprived of his rights, e.g. , in a race or in wrestling, or in any other circumstances. Leopard and Chameleon lived apart. This one had his village, and that one his. This one did his own business; that one his. And they were resting quietly in their abodes. Chameleon had a herd of sheep and o

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TALE 28 Do Not Impose on the Weak

TALE 28 Do Not Impose on the Weak

The next day, in the morning, he sent his children to the town of Chameleon to take the herd of sheep. They went; and they brought them; and goats also. (A “day” in an Ekano Tale is without limit as to length or shortness.) The goats and sheep increased, until the village of Leopard was positively full of them crowded in abundance. About three years passed, and Chameleon said to himself, “Our herd with Chum must be about sufficient for division.” Thereupon he started on his journey crawling, nak

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TALE 29 Borrowed Clothes

TALE 29 Borrowed Clothes

At night, then, Parrot took all his family, and they flew up in the air away. At once, he decided to stay there, and did not come to live on the ground again. Chicken was left remaining with Mankind in the town. Whenever Chicken began to call to Parrot up in the treetops, asking for his clothes, Parrot only screamed back “wâ! wâ!” That was a mode of speech by which to mock at Chicken. Persons NOTE Native Africans after bathing, rub more or less of some oil, either native palm, or foreign pomade,

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TALE 30 The Story of a Panic

TALE 30 The Story of a Panic

Then Porcupine, in fear went out, running, going to the town of Hog. Whereupon Hog, being startled, asked him, “Chum! what is it?” He answered him, “I’m afraid of Ikingi. Ngomba says that he is the one who causes both Beasts and Mankind to rot.” Hog at once ran out in terror, and went to a river with all his family. And the water of the river was promptly crowded out, leaving its channel dry. Then the Fishes (mistaking this motion of the water) arose in haste, saying, “The people who bail the ri

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TALE 31 A Family Quarrel

TALE 31 A Family Quarrel

Leopard was at once disheartened. He saw there was no place for his bravery in a matter of marriage. Persons NOTE Tortoise and Leopard had lived in peace in the same town, until their mutual use and abuse of the great Goat, the gift of Njambe, the Creator. A leopard is not satisfied unless he first takes the heart of the animal he has killed. Tortoise and Leopard built a town together. There they stayed. After they had built, they cleared plantations. Their food was only vegetables; for, they ha

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TALE 32 The Giant Goat

TALE 32 The Giant Goat

The children of Leopard, smelling a tempting odor, came to Tortoise’s end of the town. The children of Tortoise showed their food to them, saying, exultingly, “Ye! do you eat such as that?” A child of Leopard said, “Chum! let me taste it!” And he allowed him to taste it. The children of Leopard went off hurriedly to their father, saying, “Father! such an animal as your friend has killed! Perhaps it is Ngweya; we do not know.” Then Leopard went to where Tortoise was, and he asked him, “Chum! as t

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TALE 33 The Fights of Mbuma-Tyĕtyĕ and An Origin of the Leopard

TALE 33 The Fights of Mbuma-Tyĕtyĕ and An Origin of the Leopard

The town was full of noise. The children of Njambu kept their father’s town in motion. They rejoiced in the abundance of people and their force. They took dowries also for their sisters, and gave them in marriage to young men of other towns. Arguments were discussed; stories about White Men were told; amusements were played; food was eaten; and the sons of Njambu married wives. One of Njambu’s sons, Upuma-mwa-penda, said to his mother, “Make me mekima,” (mashed plantain). His mother asked him, “

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TALE 34 A Snake’s Skin Looks Like a Snake

TALE 34 A Snake’s Skin Looks Like a Snake

Previous to this, the mother of Jâmbâ, who was lame with sores, was lying in the house. If a prospective son-in-law laughed in her presence, she would say to her husband, “He is mocking at me!” Then that visitor would die. All the men who had come there to marry, were killed in that way. Before this (as Bokeli understood the speech of all Beasts and of Birds) when he entered into the Reception-House, a Cock in the town spoke to him, and said, “If your hope for food rests on me, you will not eat!

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FOREWORD

FOREWORD

Persons Gorilla, among all Beasts, was derided and jeered at by them. They called him “Broken-face.” So, he spoke to Ingenda of the Monkey Tribe, and ordered it, “Just examine for me this face of mine; whether it is really so, you tell me.” The monkey was afraid to refuse, and afraid also to tell the truth. So it ascended a tree; and, as it went, it plucked the fruits. It said to Gorilla, “I must first eat before answering your question; I feel hungry.” (As an excuse to give itself time to escap

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TALE 1 Candor

TALE 1 Candor

Persons Eagle and Leopard had a discussion about obtaining prey. Eagle said, “I am the one who can surpass you in preying.” Leopard said, “Not so! Is it not I?” Then Eagle said, “Wait; see whether you are the one to surpass me in preying.” Thereupon he descended from above, seized a child of Leopard, and flew up with it to his nest. Leopard exclaimed, “Alas! what shall I do?” And he went, and went, walking about, coming to one place, and going to another, wishing to fly in order to go to the res

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TALE 2 Which is the Better Hunter, an Eagle or a Leopard?

TALE 2 Which is the Better Hunter, an Eagle or a Leopard?

Persons NOTE The development of the Shrew’s long nose, and of the Lemur’s big eyes. Shrew and Lemur were neighbors in the town of Beasts. At that time, the Animals did not possess fire. Lemur said to Shrew, “Go! and take for us fire from the town of Mankind.” Shrew consented, but said, “If I go, do not look, while I am gone, toward any other place except the path on which I go. Do not even wink. Watch for me.” So Shrew went, and came to a Town of Men; and found that the people had all emigrated

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TALE 3 A Lesson in Evolution

TALE 3 A Lesson in Evolution

Persons NOTE In former times, in the days of Witchcraft, it was the custom not to bury a corpse until the question was settled who or what had caused the death. This investigation sometimes occupied several days; during which time decomposition was hindered by the application of salt, and even by drying the remains in the smoke of a fire. Elephant built his own town; and Parrot built also his. Then the children of Parrot went a-hunting every day; and when they came back, the town had wild meat i

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TALE 4 Parrot Standing on One Leg

TALE 4 Parrot Standing on One Leg

Elephant returned to his town, and said to his children, “Arrange the nets today; tomorrow for a hunt!” The next day, the children made ready. And he, ashamed that a small Bird should do a greater act than himself said, “Take ye a saw, and cut off my leg.” His children did not hesitate at his command, as they were accustomed to implicit obedience. So, they cut it off; and they carried with them, as he directed, the leg, on their hunt. When they were gone, to their father Elephant came Death, say

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TALE 5 A Question of Right of Inheritance

TALE 5 A Question of Right of Inheritance

This was what Parrot declared. So, the people decided, “Koho is the source of those things.” And he was allowed to inherit. Persons NOTE It is customary for men to do some service for their fathers and mothers-in-law. Tortoise arose and went to the town of his father-in-law Leopard. Leopard sent him on an errand, saying, “Go, and cut for me utamba-mwa-Ivâtâ.” (The fiber of a vine is used for making nets.) Then he went. But, while he still remembered the object, he forgot the name of the kind of

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TALE 6 Tortoise Covers His Ignorance

TALE 6 Tortoise Covers His Ignorance

Persons NOTE Differences in age as revealed by differences in taste for food. Shrike was a blacksmith. So, all the Beasts went to the forge at his town. Each day, when they had finished at the anvil, they took all their tools and laid them on the ground (as pledges). Before they should go back to their towns, they would say to the Bird, “Show us which is the eldest, and then you give us the things, if you are able to decide our question.” He looked at and examined them; but he did not know, for

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TALE 7 A Question as to Age

TALE 7 A Question as to Age

Again Tortoise said, “Come ye! take up the jomba of Uhingi.” (They were the younger men who chose to pick it up and eat it.) He then took up the jomba of the Snake. And he said, “Come ye! and take of the jomba of Edubu.” (Those who took it were the youngest.) After awhile they all finished their work at the bellows. They still left their tools lying on the ground, and came near to the Bird, and they said, as on other occasions, “Show us who is the eldest.” Then Tortoise at the request of the Bir

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TALE 8 Abundance: A Play on the Meaning of a Word

TALE 8 Abundance: A Play on the Meaning of a Word

But the Hog said, “Let me go. Bwinge is coming.” The man at once left the Hog, (still thinking that many more were coming); and it went away. The Man wondered, and said to himself, “What Thing is it that is named ‘Bwinge’?” On another day, he went to set his snare. He found there a dwarf child of a Human Being; and, in anger, he said, “You are the one who has caused me to send away the beasts? Is it possible that you are he who is ‘Bwinge’? I shall kill you.” But the dwarf said, “No! don’t kill

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TALE 9 An Oath, With a Mental Reservation

TALE 9 An Oath, With a Mental Reservation

Leopard asked, “Are you able to see Ngando for me? I want to eat it.” Dove answered, “Ah! would that you and I were living in one place with an Agreement!” Leopard replied, “Come then! let us, I and you, eat a Medicine.” So Leopard began. He said as his oath: “Anything at all that shall come to my place where I dwell, if I be there, and it wants to get hold of you, if I tell it not to you, let this Medicine find and certainly kill me!” Dove also with his oath, said, “If I see Ngando, and I do no

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TALE 10 The Treachery of Tortoise

TALE 10 The Treachery of Tortoise

When told of his wife’s wish, Boa said, “What shall I do? Where shall I go? Where shall I find Mangwata?” (A nickname for Leopard.) Also, Leopard said, in regard to his wife’s wish, “Where shall I find Mbâmâ?” Then Leopard went walking, on and on, and looking. He met with Manima-ma-Evosolo (a nickname for Tortoise). Leopard asked him, “Can you catch me Mbâmâ?” Manima said, “What’s that?” And he laughed, Kyĕ! Kyĕ! Kyĕ; and said, “That is as easy as play.” Leopard said, “Chum, please do such a thi

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TALE 11 A Chain of Circumstances

TALE 11 A Chain of Circumstances

When Genet was about to go, Tortoise called to him, “No! come! to work this fine bellows.” Genet set to work; but, when he looked into the street, he hesitated; for, he saw Leopard coming. Genet said to Tortoise, “I must go, lest Njĕ should see me!” Then Tortoise said, “Go! and hide in the grass.” So, Genet hid himself in the grass. Leopard, having arrived and wondering about the Spear, asked Tortoise, “Is it not so that this is the Spear of Etanda?” Tortoise answered, “Yes.” Then Leopard asked,

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Corrections

Corrections

The following corrections have been applied to the text:...

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