In the tale, a blind man and a hunter discover cattle in a hole, initially mistaken for game. The blind man regains sight, builds a kraal, and anoints himself in traditional fashion. When the hunter tries the same, he is tricked and burned by fire. Banished to the hills, the hunter’s descendants, seeking honey, become the Bushmen.
Source
South-African Folk Tales
by James A. Honey, M.D.
New York,1910
► Themes of the story
Origin of Things: The tale explains the divergence in lifestyles between the Hottentots and Bushmen, detailing how their distinct ways of living came to be.
Transformation: The narrative describes the blind man’s recovery of sight and the hunter’s transition to a life in the hills, highlighting significant changes in their circumstances.
Cunning and Deception: The blind man deceives the hunter by instructing him to throw the ointment into the fire, leading to the hunter’s misfortune.
► From the same Region or People
In the beginning there were two. One was blind, the other was always hunting. This hunter found at last a hole in the earth from which game proceeded and killed the young. The blind man, feeling and smelling them, said, “They are not game, but cattle.”
The blind man afterwards recovered his sight, and going with the hunter to this hole, saw that they were cows with their calves. He then quickly built a kraal (fence made of thorns) round them, and anointed himself, just as Hottentots (in their native state) are still wont to do.
► Continue reading…
When the other, who now with great trouble had to seek his game, came and saw this, he wanted to anoint himself also. “Look here!” said the other, “you must throw the ointment into the fire, and afterwards use it.” He followed this advice, and the flames flaring up into his face, burnt him most miserably; so that he was glad to make his escape. The other, however, called to him: “Here, take the kirri (a knobstick), and run to the hills to hunt there for honey.”
Hence sprung the race of Bushmen.
Running and expanding this site requires resources: from maintaining our digital platform to sourcing and curating new content. With your help, we can grow our collection, improve accessibility, and bring these incredible narratives to an even wider audience. Your sponsorship enables us to keep the world’s stories alive and thriving. ♦ Visit our Support page
Dreamtime Whispers 