Kaffir Folk-lore: A Selection from the Traditional Tales is a book by George McCall Theal published in 1886. It is sometimes called Kaffir (Xhosa) Folk-lore or even Xhosa Folk-lore to avoid the word kaffir, which has since become a derogatory term (in the time the book was written, however, it was frequently used to refer to the Xhosa people).
The book contains twenty-three Xhosa folk-tales and a list of common proverbs, all of which were collected from, recorded by, and verified by native Xhosa whom Theal questioned. It also includes several pages of footnotes written by Theal himself, mainly translating Xhosa words and explaining parts of Xhosa culture.
Famous quotes containing the words selection, traditional and/or tales:
“Historians will have to face the fact that natural selection determined the evolution of cultures in the same manner as it did that of species.”
—Konrad Lorenz (1903–1989)
“I come from a long line of male chauvinists in a very traditional family. To rebel against my background, I didn’t shoot dope—I married a working woman.”
—Joe Bologna (20th century)
“Among the Indians he had fought;
And with him many tales he brought
Of pleasure and of fear;
Such tales as told to any Maid
By such a Youth, in the green shade,
Were perilous to hear.”
—William Wordsworth (1770–1850)