File - Secondary ELAR

3… 2… 1… ACTION!
Choose one of the five African creation myths. Read carefully. Working as
a group, construct a dramatization of the myth, complete with dialogue,
props, and multiple characters. Once you have rehearsed, videotape the
dramatization. You get ONE take.
African Creation Myths
Efik(Central Nigeria)
The creator, Abassi, created two humans and then decided to not allow them to live on earth. His
wife, Atai, persuaded him to let them do so. In order to control the humans, Abassi insisted that they
eat all their meals with him, thereby keeping them from growing or hunting food. He also forbade
them to procreate. Soon, though, the woman began growing food in the earth, and they stopped
showing up to eat with Abassi. Then the man joined his wife in the fields, and before long there were
children also. Abassi blamed his wife for the way things had turned out, but she told him she would
handle it. She sent to earth death and discord to keep the people in their place.
African Creation Myths
Ekoi(South Nigeria)
In the beginning there were two gods, Obassi Osaw and Obassi Nsi. The two gods created
everything together. Then Obassi Osaw decided to live in the sky and Obassi Nsi decided to live on
the earth. The god in the sky gives light and moisture, but also brings drought and storms. The god of
the earth nurtures, and takes the people back to him when they die. One day long ago Obassi Osaw
made a man and a woman, and placed them upon the earth. They knew nothing so Obassi Nsi taught
them about planting and hunting to get food.
African Creation Myths
Ethiopia
Wak was the creator god who lived in the clouds. He kept the vault of the heavens at a distance from
the earth and covered it with stars. He was a benefactor and did not punish. When the earth was flat
Wak asked man to make his own coffin, and when man did this Wak shut him up in it and pushed it
into the ground. For seven years he made fire rain down and the mountains were formed. Then Wak
unearthed the coffin and man sprang forth, alive. Man tired of living alone, so Wak took some of his
blood, and after four days, the blood became a woman whom the man married. They had 30 children,
but the man was ashamed of having so many so he hid 15 of them. Wak then made those hidden
children into animals and demons.
African Creation Myths
Zulu
The Ancient One, known as Unkulunkulu, is the Zulu creator. He came from the
reeds (uthlanga, means source) and from them he brought forth the people and
the cattle. He created everything that is: mountains, streams, snakes, etc. He
taught the Zulu how to hunt, how to make fire, and how to grow food. He is
considered to be the First Man and is in everything that he created.
African Creation Myths
Boshongo
(Bantu tribe of Central Africa) In the beginning there was only darkness, water,
and the great god Bumba. One day Bumba, in pain from a stomachache, vomited
up the sun. The sun dried up some of the water, leaving land. Still in pain, Bumba
vomited up the moon, the stars, and then some animals: the leopard, the
crocodile, the turtle, and, finally, some men, one of whom, Yoko Lima was white
like Bumba.
African Masquerade
Research African masks using the information provided. Choose one to
emulate. The mask you independently create should reflect the
characteristics of the tribal mask you are copying. Be creative with your
materials.
Tribal Masks
In Africa masks can be traced back to well past Paleolithic times. These art objects were, and are still
made of various materials, included are leather, metal, fabric and various types of wood.
African masks are considered amongst the finest creations in the art world and are highly sought after
by art collectors. Many of the pieces some replica's, can be viewed in museums and art galleries in
many parts of the world. Masking ceremonies in Africa have great cultural and traditional significance.
Latest developments and understanding of Aesthetic principles, religious and ceremonial values,
have brought about a greater insight into the ideas and moral values that African artists express in
their art.
During celebrations, initiations, crop harvesting, war preparation, peace and trouble times, African
masks are worn by a chosen or initiated dancer. It can be worn in three different ways: vertically
covering the face: as helmets, encasing the entire head, and as crest, resting upon the head, which
was commonly covered by material as part of the disguise. African masks often represent a spirit and
it is strongly believed that the spirit of the ancestors possesses the wearer.
Ritual ceremonies generally depict deities, spirits of ancestors, mythological beings, good and or evil,
the dead, animal spirits, and other beings believed to have power over humanity. Masks of human
ancestors or totem ancestors (beings or animals to which a clan or family traces its ancestry) are
often objects of family pride; when they are regarded as the dwelling of the spirit they represent, the
masks may be honored with ceremonies and gifts.
During the mask ceremony the dancer goes into deep trance, and during this state of mind he
"communicate" with his ancestors. A wise man or translator sometimes accompanies the wearer of
the mask during the ritual. The dancer brings forth messages of wisdom from his ancestors. Often the
messages are grunted utterances and the translator will accurately decipher the meaning of the
message. Rituals and ceremonies are always accompanied with song, dance and music, played with
traditional African musical instruments.
For thousands of years, rituals and ceremonies was and to a lesser extent is still an integral part of
African life. The gradual, effects of parceled out territories to Colonial governments, and the ensuing
damage to traditional economies followed by the displacement of huge quantities of people, by
colonialism, resulted in economies and food production systems being wrecked. In general the vast
number of people have lost some of its tribal identity and culture, hence masking ceremonies are no
longer common place in Africa.
Biombo Mask
Biombo masks are usually carved from wood and coloured with red "tukula" powder, a dye made from the camwood
tree.
The eyes are a typical coffee bean shape. A triangular checkerboard design is used to decorate the eyebrows and
the planes of the face. The three forms at the back of the head represent the Biombo hairstyle.Feathers are often
attached to the top of Biombo masks. Biombo masks are usually worn during tribal rituals and ceremonies.
The Biombo live south of the inter-section of the Luala and Kasai rivers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Kwele Mask
The Kwele believe in witchcraft and blame all their personal and social ills on its influence.
The Kwele protect themselves against the power of witchcraft with the 'beete' ritual.
The 'beete' is a ritual that involves purification by the spirits who are represented in the form of 'ekuk' masks.
'Ekuk' means the 'spirits of the forest' and the 'children of the beete'.
Kwele masks represent the antelope whose flesh was eaten at the end of the 'beete' ritual.
Kwele masks have two large horns which sometimes encircle and frame the face. Areas of the face are often painted
with white kaolin clay, the colour of the spirits.
Kwele 'ekuk' masks are beautifully stylised with a heart shaped face, almond shaped eyes and a small or non-existent
mouth.
The Kwele occupy a huge area of forested land that stretches across the borders of Gabon, Cameroon and the Congo.
Dan Mask
Dan masks have a typically high forehead, pouting mouth and pointed chin. They may also have scarification marks
like the line that splits the forehead and nose in our example above.
Dan masks are carved in wood and stained with a brown dye. Dan masks are sacred objects. Dan masks are used for
protection and as a channel for communication with the spirit world. The Dan also carry small 'passport masks' for
personal protection when they are living away from home. The Dan believe that their world is split into two domains: the
human domain which is represented by the village and its people, and the spiritual domain which is represented by the
forest and its spirits. When a dancer wears a Dan mask he becomes the spirit of that mask. A masked dancer will speak
in the language of the spirits and his words are interpreted by a wise man. Some dancers perform masked rituals on stilts.
There are many different Dan masks, each of which has a distinct use during rituals or festivals. Some masks play an
important part in tribal rites while others are simply for entertainment. Dan masks are guarded by the go master, the head
of the secret society of the leopard who are responsible for the initiation rites of young men into adulthood.
The Dan are hunters and farmers whose territory stretches from the western side of the Ivory Coast into Liberia.
Teke Mask
Teke moon-shaped masks are worn by members of the Kiduma - a secret society that takes charge of social
celebrations and rituals.
The mask is held in place with a bite bar at the back which the wearer holds in his teeth.
These masks are usually decorated with geometric symbols and divided by a horizontal stripe.
They are coloured with clay and paint.
The Teke people come from the Congo Republics and Gabon. They are well known as traders and the name 'teke'
means 'to buy'.
Bwa Mask
Bwa masks are believed to possess special powers which are controlled by those who wear them.
These masks are plank shaped with a circular face at one end and a crescent moon at the other. Their wearer looks
through a hole in the mouth. The eyes are based on an owl and the hooked nose comes from the hornbill. Both these
birds are thought to possess magical powers. The plank section is decorated with geometric patterns which are an
essential design element in many African masks and carvings. Geometric pattern creates an external rhythm which
echoes the internal spiritual energy of the artwork .It can also be used as a coded language where the design
communicates secret knowledge to those in the know. The designs on this Bwa Mask, which is used to celebrate boys'
initiation to adulthood, represent information about myths and morality that the boys must learn before they can be
accepted into adult society. The Bwa come from Mali and Burkina Faso. Masks are only made by those who live in the
southern parts of their territory.
Dear Journal…
Provided for you are accounts of life in the Kikuyu tribe of Kenya, written
by members of the tribe. Independently, research the culture, and create
a journal entry as if you are a Kikuyu. The information in your journal
should include details that reflect your (the student’s) knowledge of the
tribe and its values and customs.
The journal entries should come to no less than one page, and should
cover a single day in the life of a Kikuyu man, woman, or youth. Write in
first person.
Tribe Profile - Kikuyu
BACKGROUND
The Kikuyu live in Kenya.
Kenya’s different topographical regions experience distinct climates.
Generally, the hottest time is in February and March and the coldest in July and August.
The coastal region is largely humid and wet.
The low plateau area is the driest part of the country.
Higher elevation areas within the highlands receive much larger amounts of rainfall.
Rainfall occurs seasonally throughout most of Kenya. The coast, eastern plateaus, and lake basin
experience two rainy seasons:
-the “long rains” extends roughly from March to June,
-the “short rains” lasts from approximately October to December.
The highlands of western Kenya have a single rainy season, lasting from March to September.
All parts of the country are subject to periodic droughts, or delays in the start of the rainy seasons.
Kenya’s climate has had a profound effect on settlement patterns, as for centuries population has
been concentrated in the wettest areas of the country.
YOUTH
Birth & Naming .
Babies are named immediately after birth. First born are named after the husbands parents and the second child is
named after the mother’s parents
The father provides for the mothers and the mothers care for the children. Grand mothers usually assist the
mothers.
The Kikuyu people do not have naming ceremonies as such. A month later, the women in the communities come to
see the baby. A feast is held, and the community bring gifts. Gifts of money, foodstuff are given.
Rites of Passage:
Boys prepare to be defenders of the home while the girls prepare for marriage. Circumcision for the boys is
compulsory, but the girls is voluntary. How ever the traditional view is that all boys and girls have to be
circumcised.
Boys are trained by their fathers while girls are trained by their mothers and grand mothers. Normally, at age 15.
This is the age when they pass from childhood to adulthood. Circumcision is normally done in open air in the field.
Spectators are many to witness those who do not preserver the pain. Crying during circumcision means that the
boy cannot marry because all girls do not want a coward. In the same way, if a girl cries during circumcision, she
can hardly be married since boys want a courageous wife. The training for both girls and boys is done in groups
and usually takes 6 months.
Long ago, this was how age was estimated since they didn't have calendars. The young men and women were then
associated with their circumcision age group. The age group name was given according to the current events. For
example,, If there was a drought, and only yams were available for food, then the group would be called the yam
season group. They would then count how many full moons since that time, and hence an estimate age would be
determined.
COURTSHIP(dating)
The parents allow courtship and this has a special period especially soon after Circumcision period is over , both the
boys and girls are ready. Premarital sex is not allowed and if this happens, and the girl becomes pregnant, the boy
has to pay the girls parents goats a s compensation. In this case, the child is named after the girls parents because
no marriage had taken place.
The young man getting married is responsible for everything. Friends of the girls parents are invited. It may take
months until the boy getting married satisfies the clan of this seriousness in marrying the girl and completes paying
the dowry.
Dowry & Marriage
The dowry process:
When the man wants to marry the woman, he first proposes to the woman. If she agrees, he then sets a meeting
with elders of his tribe. Elders are usually members of the extended family who are in their 60's and above. He
then sends this delegation to the girls family. Before they go, they send word that they want to visit on a certain
date. Usually, this is done between 1-3 months. The entourage is usually a group of 8-15 members. When the
elders go to the girl's home, they are met by the girl's family who also have by this time called their group of elders.
They usually bring small gifts of dry foods, for example rice, wheat, sugar, tea ,cooking oil, etc. This is a common
practice when one visits any family, and so this is not part of the dowry. After the food and the warm welcome, the
elders of the man say something like this. We have an interest in one of your "sheep" or we have noticed one of
your sheep, and we would like to bring her to our homestead. Likewise, if a girl elopes, the elders go to the boy's
home and say something like this. " We have lost one of our sheep, and we heard that it was seen here….
The negotiations are not done that day, so the elders then say that they just wanted to come and visit and they will
be back. After a time is set, usually in a few weeks, the elders return. The negotiations then start. The talking is
done only by the elders. It is taboo for the young man to speak, and in doing so, he could seriously jeopardize the
negotiations. The rule of thumb in negotiating the dowry used to be: what ever the father of the bride paid for his
mother, that is what he would request for a bride price. Things have changed much since then. The bride price
now is determined by several factors.

How much education the girl has received

If she has a career

Social Class
Young men today are having a hard time because There are no rules and some people have become very greedy.
The dowry is still negotiated in terms of cows, goats, and honey. Once the price has been determined, it is now
converted into cash. The elders leave a down payment and a day is then set for the wedding. Dowry negotiations
are usually done over several weeks or months. The balance can take years to pay. Usually the family never asks
for the balance. If the man doesn't’ finish paying the balance, then if he has a daughter, she cannot be married
unless he finishes paying the balance. (This is very embarrassing, and most people avoid this) If they never have
children, then the man's family is left with a "stain" that they never honor their word and this becomes common
knowledge. For this reasons, the bride price "loan" is always paid up. When the bride price is finally paid up,
there is a ceremony done. This in the olden days signified a marriage . The family of the bride usually kill a goat
and they give the front legs to the husband. This signified that he was now the husband of the woman and that he
, and not her father bears the full responsibility for her. This practice is still done even today.
The Marriage Ceremony
The whole community usually gets involved. The women team up and organize the menu, and they contribute the
food. The young men and women team up and raise funds for the wedding. This is done through a "pre wedding
party" There is usually no engagement rings or "official" engagement ceremony. The young men arrange for
transportation and refreshments. The man is usually responsible for the bride's dress, and the younger children
who will be in the wedding party. The bride chooses her bride's maids and she usually chooses from both sides and
includes her friends. Kikuyu weddings are usually huge. It is not uncommon to find the bridal party of 20+.
When Women married Women
In the olden times, older women used to marry younger women. These women were either young widows or old
spinsters. This was done as a way to care for this groups of people. The older woman would take care of the
young "wife" ( she was called a wife). If she had children, the kids last names would be changed to hers. If she
didn't have children, the "husband" would chose a man for her to have children for her. The young wife would
then bear children for her. When the young woman's children would reach the age of marriage, the dowry would
be paid to the older woman, and if there were sons involved, she would pay the dowry. If the young wife
disobeyed or disrespected her, she would discipline her. Discipline was done in the form of beatings. The young
wife would not fight back, but would have to take the beatings. The only obligation the young wife had to her
partner was to cook for her, perform any house hold duties and tend the farm. There was no sexual relationship
whatsoever. In the Kikuyu tribe, homosexuality (then and now) was not done, let alone imagined. In this type of a
marriage, the dowry was also paid. If the older woman died, the young wife would then inherit her property. This
was the only time that a woman would inherit property during those times. This practice of women marrying
women died out in the early 1920's .
Conflict in marriage, divorce and re marriage
The girl may go back to her parents in case of conflict. The husband must send elders on his behalf t o go and talk
with the girls parents. If he wishes her back. If as separation is inevitable, the children always go with the mother
and are brought up by the girls parents. In this case the boys parents pay compensation in term of cows and goats
as determined by the elders of the girls clan.
Divorce is very rare with the Kikuyu's in spite of all the problems that women endure. Re marriage is even more
rare even after the death of one spouse. In the olden days, any woman who was "returned" ( a term for divorce in
the olden days ) lived with the "stench" of being a divorced woman. Because of this, women endured even in a bad
marriage. Now things are starting to change. The name calling has not ceased, but a lot of women are rebelling
and separating from their husbands. The main problem is that most men have mistresses and even though they
don’t divorce their wives, they divorce them emotionally and financially. Some men barely support their wives and
the women are left with the task of raising up the children and supporting them.
AGING & DYING
Old age was determined by inability to work at age of seventy or eighty. Old people became advisors of the
community and also acted as judges. Old people are taken care of by their families. In case of death they are also
buried by the members of the family. In traditional times however, the dead not buried. The dead bodies were
thrown in the bush for the wild animals to eat them. This practice died out in the early 50's
HEALTH ISSUES
The sick were taken care of by the family. They used roots of various plants as medicine. There was no medical
help during traditional times. Boys are trained by their fathers about herbs, and roots that can be used to cure
different diseases during the parents lifetimes. The skill of medicine is only known by those concerned but not by
every body.
Aids is a disease that has killed many people. The government has tired to educate the masses on this disease and
how to prevent it. Generally, people do not fear aids. They think that it is just speculation. However due to the
number of deaths, the majority now respond to the use of condoms and are much more careful in unsafe sex life.
Anybody suspected of suffering from aids is normally segregated. They are only confined to their relatives or taken
to the hospital just to die there.. If the parents die, the extended family take care of the children. A serious
complain against the killer disease, aids needs to be undertaken to the village sand a lot of awareness given. The
language of the local people should by far be used so that the facts of the seriousness of Aids can be understood.
Back UP
DYING
Death in the Kikuyu community is done by the whole community. Usually the community gather in the
home of the deceased, (until the day of the burial ) and make arrangements of the burial. During the wake,
people sing, pray and console the bereaved family. People in the community contribute towards the burial
expenses. The women arrange for the food and contribute money and the labor . The people are usually
buried within 2 weeks, and just like weddings, the whole community turns out for the burial. The average
burial has between 1,000 - 10,000 people attending. A few has over 50,000 People are usually buried either
on their farms or at the local cemetery.
Inheritance
Inheritance was for men . women were not considered for this even if the woman was divorced there was
no inheritance for her. Inheritance matters had to be determined by the clan. The rules however have
changed now. Some people generally have a will but majority still do not leave a will, especially in
polygamous marriages. This is because the will would divide the family. It is the wish of the husband that
his estate is taken care of and divided to the members of his family by the clan.
Back UP
Traditional belief of god, origin of man, death and the after life
The God of the agikuyu (Kikuyu) lived on Mount Kenya . generally this is known as Mount Kirinyaga (Kenya) and
the god was called mwene nyaga. or Ngai. (Mwene nyaga means :- Owner of the Mountain). The agikuyu believed
in a monotheistic god who created everything and that he lived in Mount Kenya. Hence when Christianity came to
the Kikuyu people, they didn't change the name of the god, but continued to call him by the same name (Ngai to
this day. Those who accepted Christianity however stopped their former practices of worship, which were mainly
sacrifices and rituals.)
The agikuyu did not believe in the after life, but they believed in the living dead. The spirits of the living dead
would come and torment the living if they are not appeased. They had to be kept happy by traditional beer that
was prepared and regularly poured at the three stones where cooking is done. The belief was that the spirit of
the dead is able to partake of this beer and be happy not to bring misfortune to the living.
Witchcraft is still feared and people protect themselves by wearing charms especially on the waist to prevent
them from being affected.
SOCIETY
Problems in the modern families
Drinking (alcoholism) physical abuse is finishing the society in my tribe. People are so poor and therefore, have
little to do. They spend most of their time in local bars drinking native beer, called ( chagaa ( local gin), - (100%
proof gin) most of them die because of this. The brew is put in containers that are not clean and this has swept
villages in some places. As a result of drinking, physical abuse to the wife and children result.
Husbands do not take responsibility at home. When they come drank, they do not want anybody to say anything
or ask anything. If the husband is asked for food or clothes, the wife and the children are severely beaten. Lack of
education and a vicious circles the result. Early marriages should also be discouraged. Marriage counseling should
be established.
Taboos, crime and punishment
To refuse food is to refuse hospitality of the giver and that is taken that they are rude. The thing to do is to eat a
little food and leave the rest, but not to refuse everything. Alternatively, one can ask for a beverage instead. For
example, tea.
In case of men, a visitor to a home had to remove the hat on his head as a sign of respect when he arrives after
greetings, he would then wear it again. Old people had to be given respect by the young people. Young people
were expected to obey and assist the elderly.
There was capital punishment for murder. Anybody who killed another was generally burned using dry
banana leaves. The leafs would be tied on him and set ablaze and the man would be released. As he ran,
he would burn to death. After he died he would be thrown into the bush to be food for the wild animals
ETHNIC FOOD
Maize (white corn) and beans are the stable food of the kikuyu. The corn and beans are boiled and then re
fried with meat. Also the corn is ground into flour and cooked like a "heavy" porridge. It is then eaten with
fresh green vegetables.
Africa: People and Places
View the film labeled on the desktop, “Africa.” While watching,
independently record the answers to the 9 questions given on the
worksheet.
http://app.discoveryeducation.com/search?Ntt=africa+people+places
WRITE ON YOUR OWN PAPER
Africa: People and Places
1. What are the longest river and the highest mountain in Africa?
A) Victoria, Serengeti
B) Nile, Mount McKinley
C) Nile, Mount Kilimanjaro
D) Amazon, Mount Kilimanjaro
2. Along the equator, summer is the only season.
A) true
B) false
3. What three bodies of water border Africa?
A) Black Sea, Atlantic Ocean, Red Sea
B) Caspian Sea, Pacific Ocean, Red Sea
C) Red Sea, Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea
D) Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic Ocean
4. The Samburu people are considered nomadic because they _____.
A) move in the summer when it is too hot
B) move in search of pastures for their cattle
C) move to live along the Nile Delta farming region
D) move to escape the drenching monsoons that come each year
5. What climate type and region is found in Gabon?
A) desert
B) steppe
C) savanna
D) rainforest
6. The Nile River flows north and empties into the Mediterranean Sea.
A) true
B) false
7. When the monsoon rains come to Central Africa, the Nuer _____.
A) pray to the sun god
B) take their cattle to higher grazing ground
C) build large rafts for their cattle to keep from drowning
D) run away to the rainforest and climb trees to miss the flood
8. The intersection of the White Nile and the Blue Nile has _____.
A) the richest soil
B) the best fishing region
C) the largest salt water lake
D) the largest swamp region
9. Which of the following is NOT a type of job that people do along the Nile?
A) farming
B) brick making
C) iron ore mining
D) pottery making
”Why” Myths
After reading the African “Why” myths, construct one of your own,
explaining how or why a particular animal came to have their trait(s).
You can choose any animal you’d like (except those whose stories you
have just read.)
Your story should be no less than ½ page.
Why Turtles Live In Water
A Tale from West Africa
Turtles used to live on the land, they say, until the time a clever turtle was caught by some
hunters. They brought him to their village and placed the turtle before the Chief, who said,
"How shall we cook him?"
"You'll have to kill me first," said the turtle, "and take me out of this shell."
"We'll break your shell with sticks," they said.
"That'll never work," said the turtle, "Why don't you throw me in the water and drown me?!"
"Excellent idea," said the Chief. They took the turtle to the river and threw him into the water to
drown him.
They were congratulating themselves on their success in drowning the turtle, when two little
green eyes poked up in the water and the laughing turtle said, "Don't get those cooking pots out
too fast, foolish people! As he swam away he said, "I think I'll spend most of my time from now
on, safely in the water."
It has been that way ever since!
Why The Cheetah's Cheeks Are Stained (A Traditional Zulu Story)
Long ago a wicked and lazy hunter was sitting under a tree. He was thinking that it was too hot to
be bothered with the arduous task of stalking prey through the bushes. Below him in the clearing on
the grassy veld there were fat springbok grazing. But this hunter couldn't be bothered, so lazy was
he! He gazed at the herd, wishing that he could have the meat without the work, when suddenly he
noticed a movement off to the left of the buck. It was a female cheetah seeking food. Keeping
downwind of the herd, she moved closer and closer to them. She singled out a springbok who had
foolishly wandered away from the rest. Suddenly she gathered her long legs under her and sprang
forward. With great speed she came upon the springbok and brought it down. Startled, the rest of
the herd raced away as the cheetah quickly killed her prey.
The hunter watched as the cheetah dragged her prize to some shade on the edge of the clearing.
There three beautiful cheetah cubs were waiting there for her. The lazy hunter was filled with envy
for the cubs and wished that he could have such a good hunter provide for him. Imagine dining on
delicious meat every day without having to do the actual hunting! Then he had a wicked idea. He
decided that he would steal one of the cheetah cubs and train it to hunt for him. He decided to wait
until the mother cheetah went to the waterhole late in the afternoon to make his move. He smiled to
himself.
When the sun began to set, the cheetah left her cubs concealed in a bush and set off to the
waterhole. Quickly the hunter grabbed his spear and trotted down to the bushes where the cubs
were hidden. There he found the three cubs, still to young to be frightened of him or to run away.
He first chose one, then decided upon another, and then changed his mind again. Finally he stole
them all, thinking to himself that three cheetahs would undoubtedly be better than one.
When their mother returned half-an-hour later and found her babies gone, she was broken-hearted.
The poor mother cheetah cried and cried until her tears made dark stains down her cheeks. She
wept all night and into the next day. She cried so loudly that she was heard by an old man who
came to see what the noise was all about.
Now this old man was wise and knew the ways of the animals. When he discovered what the
wicked hunter had done, he became very angry. The lazy hunter was not only a thief, he had broken
the traditions of the tribe. Everyone knew that a hunter must use only his own strength and skill.
Any other way of hunting was surely a dishonor.
The old man returned to the village and told the elders what has happened. The villagers became
angry. They found the lazy hunter and drove him away from the village. The old man took the three
cheetah cubs back to their grateful mother. But the long weeping of the mother cheetah stained her
face forever. Today the cheetah wears the tearstains on its face as a reminder to the hunters that it is
not honorable to hunt in any other way than that which is traditional.
Why the Warthog Goes About on His Knees (A Traditional Zulu Story)
Wart hog had made himself a lovely, spacious home in an old termite mound that an aardvark
had cleared out. He had built it up and made a wide entrance. He thought it was the most
magnificant home in Africa and would often stand at the entrance of his dwelling with his snout
in the air as the giraffe, wildebeest** and zebra passed to the watering hole. "Hah," he thought
to himself, "no one has such a fine home!"
One day as he looked out from the entrance of his cave he was horrified to see a huge lion
stealthily stalking toward him. He started to back away, but because he had made the entrance
to his place so grand, the lion would have no difficulty in following Wart Hog right in.
"Ahhhh," panicked Wart Hog, "Bhubesi will eat me in my own lounge! What will I do?"
Wart Hog decided to use an old trick he'd heard Jackal bragging about. Wart Hog pretended to
be supporting the roof of his hole with his strong back, pushing up with his tusks. "Help!" he
cried to the lion, "I am going to be crushed! The roof is caving in! Flee, oh, mighty Bhubesi,
before you are crushed along with me!"
Now Lion is no fool. He recognized Jackal's old ploy straight away ("Do you remember that
story, children?"), and he wasn't going to be caught out again. He roared so fiercely that Wart
hog dropped to his knees, trembling. Wart hog begged for mercy. Luckily for him Lion was not
too hungry. So he pardoned the wart hog and left, saying, "Stay on your kness, you foolish
beast!"
Lion laughed to himself and shook his shaggy head as he walked away. Imagine, slow-witted
Wart hog trying to copy Jackal's trick! Wart hog took Lion's order to heart. That is why, to this
day, you will see Wart hog feeding on his knees, in a very undignified position, with his bottom
up in the air and his snout snuffling in the dust.
WHY THE CAT KILL RATS
Source: Elphinstone Dayrell, Folk Stories from Southern Nigeria, West Africa
Ansa was King of Calabar for fifty years. He had a very faithful cat as a housekeeper, and a rat
was his house-boy. The king was an obstinate, headstrong man, but was very fond of the cat,
who had been in his store for many years.
The rat, who was very poor, fell in love with one of the king's servant girls, but was unable to
give her any presents, as he had no money.
At last he thought of the king's store, so in the nighttime, being quite small, he had little
difficulty, having made a hole in the roof, in getting into the store. He then stole corn and native
pears, and presented them to his sweetheart.
At the end of the month, when the cat had to render her account of the things in the store to the
king, it was found that a lot of corn and native pears were missing. The king was very angry at
this, and asked the cat for an explanation. But the cat could not account for the loss, until one of
her friends told her that the rat had been stealing the corn and giving it to the girl.
When the cat told the king, he called the girl before him and had her flogged. The rat he handed
over to the cat to deal with, and dismissed them both from his service. The cat was so angry at
this that she killed and ate the rat, and ever since that time whenever a cat sees a rat she kills
and eats it.
How the Heron got a Bend in its Neck
One day the jackal was hunting among some rocks when he spied a dove up above him. The
ledge it rested on, however, was quite out of reach. ‘Little dove,’ called the jackal, ‘I’m hungry.
Throw down one of your children.
‘Indeed I will not,’ said the dove.
‘Then I will fly up to you myself, and eat you too,’ replied the jackal. At this the foolish dove
grew frightened and threw down one of the little squabs, and the jackal ran off with it. The next
day the jackal threatened the dove with the same fate, and another baby bird went down his
throat. The poor mother dove wept bitterly. The heron, passing by, heard her.
‘Why do you weep?’ asked the heron.
‘I weep for my poor babies,’ replied the dove. ‘If I do not give them to the jackal, he will fly up
here and devour me too.’
‘You foolish bird,’ retorted the heron. ‘How can he fly up to you when he has no wings? You
must not give in to his silly threats.’
So the next day when the jackal returned, the dove refused to part with another baby. ‘The
heron has told me that you cannot fly after all,’ she said.
‘That nosy heron,’ muttered the jackal, trotting off, ‘I will pay her out for her wagging tongue.’
He soon found the heron at a cool pond looking for frogs. She looked down her beak at him.
‘What a long neck you have,’ said the jackal. ‘What happens when the wind blows? Doesn’t it
break in half?’
‘No, I lower it a little,’ said the heron, suiting action to word.
‘And when the wind blows harder?’
‘Then I lower it a little more.’
‘And when it blows a real gale?’
‘I lower it right down to here,’ said the silly bird, lowering her head right down to the bank’s
edge. The jackal jumped up and hit the heron’s neck such a crack in the middle that it broke.
And from that day to this, the heron has a bend in her neck.
How the Zebra Got his Stripes
Many tales are told of the animals which the Bushmen know so well.
Long ago, when animals were still new on earth, the weather was very hot, and what little water
there was remained in pools and pans. One of these was guarded by a boisterous baboon, who
claimed that he was the 'lord of the water' and forbade anyone from drinking at his pool.
When a zebra and his son came down to have a drink, the baboon, who was sitting by his fire,
jumped up. 'Go away, intruders,' he barked. 'This is my pool and I am the lord of the water.'
'The water is for everyone, not just for you, monkeyface,' shouted back the zebra's son. 'If you
want it, you must fight for it,' returned the baboon in a fine fury, and in a moment the two were
locked in combat. Back and forth they went, until with a mighty kick, the zebra sent the baboon
flying high up among the rocks of the krantz behind them. The baboon landed with a smack on
his seat, and to this day he carries the bare patch where he landed. The zebra staggered back
through the baboon's fire, which scorched him, leaving stripes across his white fur. The shock
sent the zebra galloping away to the plains, where he has stayed ever since. The baboon and his
family, however, remain high up among the rocks where they bark defiance at all strangers, and
hold up their tails to ease the smarting of their bald patches.
How the Crocodile Got Its Skin
This story is found in a book called "The Secret of the Crocodile", a Namibia Oral Tradition
Project, published by New Namibia Books.
How the crocodile got its knobbly textured skin:
The crocodile originally had a smooth golden skin, and it stayed that way because the crocodile
would spend all day in the muddy waters and only come out at night. All the other animals
would come and admire it's beautiful golden skin.
The crocodile became very proud of its skin and started coming out of the water to bask in the
other animals' admiration, even while the sun was shining. He began thinking he was better than
the other animals and started bossing them around. The other animals became bored with his
change in attitude and fewer and fewer started showing up to look at his skin. But each day that
the crocodile exposed his skin to the sun it would get uglier and bumpier and thicker, and was
soon transformed into what looked like bulging armor. Crocodile never recovered from the
humiliating shame and even today will disappear from view when others approach, with only
his eyes and nostrils above the surface of the water.