Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 7 1889.djvu/463

 TABULATION OF FOLKTALES. 119

[No. 45.]

Title of Story — The story of the Girl who disregarded the Custom of Ntonjane.

Dramatis PerSOnSB — Chief.— His daughter.— Her companions.- Her brother.

— Men. — Young chief. — Cattle.

Abstract of Story.— (l) A chief's daughter had to observe custom of Nton- jane, so went to hut. One day was persuaded by companions to bathe in stream, against custom. (2) Coming out of water they saw snake with blotches near clothes. They were frightened. One sang after another, " Sinyobolokondwana," bring my mantle. Snake told them to take mantles • and pass on. All asked in this manner. — (3) Except chief's daughter, who used contemptible word. Snake very angry and bit her, she became as ugly a colour as it was. Companions ran away, put another girl in hut, pretend- ing she was chief's daughter. — (4) Girl climbed tree. Chief was killing an ox, sent young man to forest for pieces of wood to peg out skin, who when cutting them heard some one cry out twice, " Man cutting sticks, tell my father and mother the snake bit me." He ran and told chief, returned with two men, one was girl's brother; these two hid, man cut sticks, cry repeated, brother knew girl's voice, took her home. Chief astonished at daughter's state, angry with other girls, whom he had killed. — (6) Sent men and forty cattle to take daughter to distant country, where they built huts. — (6) After being there long time, found cows they had brought gave more milk than could be consumed, poured surplus into hole, it rose higher and higher till it stood like great overhanging rock; girl went near precipice, milk ran over her, and ugly skin disappeared. — (7) Young chief passing one day fell in love with and married her, giving father many cattle.

Alphabetical List of Incidents.

Customs, tribal, disregard of, by heroine brings misfortune (1). Milk, disease cured by touching (6). Snake, heroine bitten by, becomes ugly (3).

Where published— Theal's Kaffir Folklore. London, Preface dated 1882. Story No. 5, pp. 64-67.

Nature of Collection, whether:—

1. Original or translation. Translated by G. M. Theal.

2. If by word of mouth state narrator's name. 8. Other particulars.