The Suitors of Princess Gorilla

Place

Njambi’s Country

Persons

King Njina (Gorilla) and His Daughter Njâgu (Elephant) Nguwu (Hippopotamus) Bejaka (Fishes: Sing. Ejaka) Ngowa (Hog) Njĕgâ (Leopard) Telinga (a very small Monkey)

NOTE

This story evidently dates back to the first introduction of Rum into Africa. Gorilla’s “new kind of water” was Rum.

Telinga’s cheating did not finally succeed in obtaining him the wife; but was the cause of his now living only in trees; whereas formerly he lived in the long grass. The Telinga are very numerous, and they all look so alike that one cannot be distinguished from another. In the story, he had arranged with all his companions to help him drink.