LION. AND JACKAL By Frank Brownlee
That science owes much to story-telling for light on primitive thought and culture has been proved time and again from The Golden Bough onwards ; here is further recognition of the fact in that this little book (Allen and Unwin, 5s.) of folk tales of animals and mythical heroes from South African tribes has been published with the assistance of the Carnegie Corporation. To the anthropological eye the mention of the maternal uncle, of bride-price, of cannibal practices, has much significance in these seemingly artless stories. To the general public there is charm in the tales of crocodile cunning, dove innocence, and the monkey wedding-party ; and Hlakanyana makes an adventurous black Tom Thumb. Throughout there are striking parallels with themes in Grimm—notably the story found all over the world of the old woman looking into the well and seeing the reflection of a young and beautiful girl, whom she thinks her rejuvenated self. But Mr. Brownlee is extremely disappointing in the vagueness of his sources. His notes shed little light on which stories are Hottentot, which Basuto, which from Ovamboland ; and the term " South African " covers as many cultures as " European." With no information upon the locality or tongue from which his stories came, most of their attraction is limited to the nursery, and this seems a pity.
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