Teco, the Supreme Being, apportioned resources to three nations: Whites, Bushmen (Amakosa), and Hottentots (Amalouw). The Hottentots chased a honey bird, ignoring Teco’s warnings, leading to their fate of living on wild roots and honey. The unruly Bushmen, claiming cattle, were granted only livestock. The patient Whites received cattle, horses, sheep, and property, prompting the Bushmen’s remark on their unequal share.
Source
South-African Folk Tales
by James A. Honey, M.D.
New York,1910
► Themes of the story
Creation: The narrative explains how Teco, the Supreme Being, distributed resources among different nations after the world’s creation.
Origin of Things: It provides an account of why different groups possess varying resources, attributing these differences to their actions during the distribution.
Divine Intervention: Teco’s direct involvement and decisions shape the destinies of the Whites, Bushmen, and Hottentots, illustrating the influence of a deity in mortal affairs.
► From the same Region or People
Teco is the Supreme Being. Teco had every description of stock and property.
There were three nations created, viz., the Whites, the Amakosa, or Bushmen, and the Amalouw, or Hottentots. A day was appointed for them to appear before the Teco to receive whatever he might apportion to each tribe. While they were assembling, a honey bird, or honey guide, came fluttering by, and all the Hottentots ran after it, whistling and making the peculiar noise they generally do while following this wonderful little bird.
► Continue reading…
The Teco remonstrated with them about their behavior, but to no purpose. He thereupon denounced them as a vagrant race that would have to exist on wild roots and honey beer, and possess no stock whatever.
When the fine herds of cattle were brought, the Bushmen became very much excited–the one exclaiming, “That black and white cow is mine!” and another, “That red cow and black bull are mine!” and so on, till at last the Teco, whose patience had been severely taxed by their shouts and unruly behavior, denounced them as a restless people, who would only possess cattle.
The Whites patiently waited until they received cattle, horses, sheep, and all sorts of property. Hence, the old Bushmen observed, “You Whites have got everything. We Bushmen have only cattle, while the Amalouw, or Hottentots, have nothing.”
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