South African folklore explained

South African Folklore originates from an oral, historical tradition.[1] It is rooted in the region's landscape[2] with animals[3] – and the animal kingdom – playing a dominant role.[4] Some of the subjects covered include: plant life taking on a human form, women being married to gods, messages being delivered by thunder. Music and song is often used to tell the story and the tales values are usually African, with community and sharing being key.[5] Some 19th century folklore tales from this genre include: "Crocodiles Treason",[6] "Lion’s Share",[7] The World's Reward,[8] "The Dance for Water or Rabbit’s Triumph",[9] "The Hunt of Lion and Jackal",[10] The Zebra Stallion,[11] "Lion Who Taught Himself Wiser Than His Mother"[12] and "the Origin of Death".[13]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Oral tradition and indigenous knowledge South African History Online. 2020-08-18. www.sahistory.org.za.
  2. Lewis-Williams. J. David. February 2018. Three nineteenth-century Southern African San myths: a study in meaning. Africa. en. 88. 1. 138–159. 10.1017/S0001972017000602. 0001-9720. free.
  3. Web site: The Project Gutenberg eBook of South-African Folk Tales, by James A. Honeÿ. 2020-08-18. www.gutenberg.org.
  4. Web site: Berner. Nancy. Folklore in Africa. soar.wichita.edu.
  5. Web site: South Africa - Folklore and regional stories Advertisement feature The Observer. 2020-08-18. www.theguardian.com.
  6. Web site: 2011-07-28. Thursday's Tale: Crocodile's Treason. 2020-08-18. Carol's Notebook. en-US.
  7. Lewis-Williams. J. D.. 2016-01-02. The Jackal and the Lion: Aspects of Khoisan Folklore. Folklore. 127. 1. 51–70. 10.1080/0015587X.2015.1096503. 164191289. 0015-587X.
  8. Book: Various. SOUTH AFRICAN FOLK TALES: 44 unique folk tales from the Southern tip of Africa. 2009. Abela Publishing Ltd. 978-0-9560584-5-4. en.
  9. Web site: Best folk and fairy tales about WATER – Happy World Water Day – Fairy Tale Night. 2020-08-18. en-US.
  10. Book: Honeÿ, James A.. South-African Folk-tales. 1910. Baker. en.
  11. Web site: 2012-05-06. The Zebra Stallion. 2020-08-18. African Heritage. en.
  12. Web site: African Religions - Historic Books On CD at The Historical Archive. 2020-08-18. www.thehistoricalarchive.com.
  13. Web site: South-African Folk-Tales Index. 2020-08-18. sacred-texts.com.

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