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
editReferences
edit- ^ "Oral tradition and indigenous knowledge | South African History Online". www.sahistory.org.za. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
- ^ Lewis-Williams, J. David (February 2018). "Three nineteenth-century Southern African San myths: a study in meaning". Africa. 88 (1): 138–159. doi:10.1017/S0001972017000602. ISSN 0001-9720.
- ^ "The Project Gutenberg eBook of South-African Folk Tales, by James A. Honeÿ". www.gutenberg.org. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
- ^ Berner, Nancy. "Folklore in Africa" (PDF). soar.wichita.edu.
- ^ "South Africa - Folklore and regional stories | Advertisement feature | The Observer". www.theguardian.com. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
- ^ "Thursday's Tale: Crocodile's Treason". Carol's Notebook. 28 July 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
- ^ Lewis-Williams, J. D. (2 January 2016). "The Jackal and the Lion: Aspects of Khoisan Folklore". Folklore. 127 (1): 51–70. doi:10.1080/0015587X.2015.1096503. ISSN 0015-587X. S2CID 164191289.
- ^ Various (2009). SOUTH AFRICAN FOLK TALES: 44 unique folk tales from the Southern tip of Africa. Abela Publishing Ltd. ISBN 978-0-9560584-5-4.
- ^ "Best folk and fairy tales about WATER – Happy World Water Day – Fairy Tale Night". Retrieved 18 August 2020.
- ^ Honeÿ, James A. (1910). South-African Folk-tales. Baker.
- ^ "The Zebra Stallion". African Heritage. 6 May 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
- ^ "African Religions - Historic Books On CD at The Historical Archive". www.thehistoricalarchive.com. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
- ^ "South-African Folk-Tales Index". sacred-texts.com. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
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