São Paulo – Publishing house Martins Fontes Editora launched in Brazil a book of tales selected by the former president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela. The work is a collection of stories – 32 in total – that have circulated for years and years among African populations. One of the tales originated in Morocco, an Arab country located in North Africa. “Most of the stories have metamorphosed throughout the centuries. Details have been included and, at times, transmitted from one people or ethnic group to another containing imperfections and flaws,” says Mandela, in the preface to the book.
The Moroccan tale that the former South African president writes, who led the struggle against racial segregation in his country, is “The clever snake charmer.” In the introduction to the tale, Mandela writes: “From Morocco comes this entertaining story about a clever snake charmer who knows how to push his luck. Once again, there are three riddles that have to be answered.” The tale tells of a sultan who used to summon artists to entertain him. Once he grew bored of them, he would order their heads to be cut off. All of the artists became scared and skipped town.
The main character of the tale is a brave snake charmer who, in spite of the rumours, decided to offer himself to entertain the sultan. He then played his flute for many days, as the snakes slid over his body. Then, one day, the sultan grew bored and ordered for his head to be chopped off, so the snake charmer asked for a second chance. The sultan challenged him: only if you are able to get to the palace at once as a pedestrian and a horse-rider. On the next day, the charmer arrived riding a donkey so short that he was able to touch his feet on the ground and walk as he rode.
Just like this story, which is part of the Moroccan folklore, Mandela tells others, in his book, and includes a map, in the first pages, pointing out their places of origin. The South African leader brings tales from Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Kenya, Zambia, among other nations. The story from Zimbabwe, for example, entitled “The cat who came indoors” explains how cats came to inhabit human households. The one from Kenya tells of a hare and a hyena that try to fool each other.
The book’s launch is also being used to promote next year’s FIFA World Cup, to be held in South Africa. The work has 156 pages and colourful illustrations by several artists. The translation into Portuguese is by Luciana Garcia. Mandela was the president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was awarded the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end racial segregation.
Book
Nelson Mandela’s Favorite African Folktales
Author: Nelson Mandela
Publishing house: Martins Fontes
Price: 54.80 Brazilian reals (US$ 28)
Pages: 156
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
