South African folklore

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South African Folklore originates from an oral, historical tradition.{{Cite web|title=Oral tradition and indigenous knowledge {{!}} South African History Online|url=https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/oral-tradition-and-indigenous-knowledge|access-date=2020-08-18|website=www.sahistory.org.za}} It is rooted in the region's landscape{{Cite journal|last=Lewis-Williams|first=J. David|date=February 2018|title=Three nineteenth-century Southern African San myths: a study in meaning|journal=Africa|language=en|volume=88|issue=1|pages=138–159|doi=10.1017/S0001972017000602|issn=0001-9720|doi-access=free}} with animals{{Cite web|title=The Project Gutenberg eBook of South-African Folk Tales, by James A. Honeÿ|url=https://www.gutenberg.org/files/38339/38339-h/38339-h.htm|access-date=2020-08-18|website=www.gutenberg.org}} – and the animal kingdom – playing a dominant role.{{Cite web|last=Berner|first=Nancy|date=|title=Folklore in Africa|url=https://soar.wichita.edu/bitstream/handle/10057/1615/LAJ_v2_1_p6-30.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=soar.wichita.edu}} Some of the subjects covered include: plant life taking on a human form, women being married to gods, messages being delivered by thunder. Music and song is often used to tell the story and the tales values are usually African, with community and sharing being key.{{Cite web|title=South Africa - Folklore and regional stories {{!}} Advertisement feature {{!}} The Observer|url=https://www.theguardian.com/observer/journeysofthemind/story/0,,1099893,00.html|access-date=2020-08-18|website=www.theguardian.com}} Some 19th century folklore tales from this genre include: "Crocodiles Treason",{{Cite web|date=2011-07-28|title=Thursday's Tale: Crocodile's Treason|url=http://carolsnotebook.com/2011/07/28/thursdays-tale-crocodiles-treason/|access-date=2020-08-18|website=Carol's Notebook|language=en-US}} "Lion’s Share",{{Cite journal|last=Lewis-Williams|first=J. D.|date=2016-01-02|title=The Jackal and the Lion: Aspects of Khoisan Folklore|url=https://doi.org/10.1080/0015587X.2015.1096503|journal=Folklore|volume=127|issue=1|pages=51–70|doi=10.1080/0015587X.2015.1096503|s2cid=164191289|issn=0015-587X}} The World's Reward,{{Cite book|last=Various|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uKIzCooBswIC|title=SOUTH AFRICAN FOLK TALES: 44 unique folk tales from the Southern tip of Africa|date=2009|publisher=Abela Publishing Ltd|isbn=978-0-9560584-5-4|language=en}} "The Dance for Water or Rabbit’s Triumph",{{Cite web|title=Best folk and fairy tales about WATER – Happy World Water Day – Fairy Tale Night|url=http://www.fairytalenight.com/2020/03/24/best-folk-and-fairy-tales-about-water-happy-world-water-day/|access-date=2020-08-18|language=en-US}} "The Hunt of Lion and Jackal",{{Cite book|last=Honeÿ|first=James A.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PK0SAAAAYAAJ|title=South-African Folk-tales|date=1910|publisher=Baker|language=en}} The Zebra Stallion,{{Cite web|date=2012-05-06|title=The Zebra Stallion|url=https://afrolegends.com/2012/05/05/the-zebra-stallion/|access-date=2020-08-18|website=African Heritage|language=en}} "Lion Who Taught Himself Wiser Than His Mother"{{Cite web|title=African Religions - Historic Books On CD at The Historical Archive|url=https://www.thehistoricalarchive.com/html/Products/Myth-Legend-and-Fol/African-Religions---93.html|access-date=2020-08-18|website=www.thehistoricalarchive.com}} and "the Origin of Death".{{Cite web|title=South-African Folk-Tales Index|url=https://sacred-texts.com/afr/saft/index.htm|access-date=2020-08-18|website=sacred-texts.com}}