South-African Folk-Tales

New York THE BAKER & TAYLOR COMPANY 1910

Copyright, 1910, by THE BAKER & TAYLOR COMPANY Published, November, 1910 THE TROW PRESS, NEW YORK

AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED TO C. F. H. and F. I. G.



In presenting these stories, which are of deep interest and value to South Africans, I hope they may prove of some value to those Americans who have either an interest in animals or who appreciate the folklore of other countries.
Many of these tales have appeared among English collections previous to 1880, others have been translated from the Dutch, and a few have been written from childhood remembrance. Consequently they do not pretend to be original or unique. Care has been taken not to spoil the ethnological value for the sake of form or structure; and in all cases they are as nearly like the original as a translation from one tongue to another will allow. They are all South-African folklore tales and mainly from the Bushmen. Some are perverted types from what were originally Bushmen tales, but have been taken over by Hottentots or Zulus; a few are from the Dutch. Most of these last named will show a European influence, especially French.