D2.5.2: Specimens of Bushman folklore

D2.5.2: Specimens of Bushman folklore

Publications and Reports

Specimens of Bushman folklore' (1911) was authored by the comparative linguist Wilhelm HI Bleek and his self-taught sister-in-law, Lucy C Lloyd (the editor). With an introduction by George McCall Theal, it is the culmination of Bleek and Lloyd's 'Bushman researches', with testimonies painstakingly gathered, transcribed, and translated by the authors with the cooperation of many language instructors. Some, but not all, narratives are aetiological. Taking from the |xam and !kun (to a lesser extent) texts, it presents eighty-seven legends, myths, poems, songs, botanical knowledge, hunting practices (observances), mysticism (divination and sorcery), "other" traditional stories, and social history in the now extinct |xam and endangered !kun languages.

Ink on paper

1910

Galley proofs (of text) by S Austin & Sons Ltd for Specimens of Bushman folklore (1911) with handwritten corrections/annotations by LC Lloyd in black ink.

Proofs (without images), mantis (mythology), fables, legends, and poetry, habits (natural and personal history), poetry (the cat), caama fox, blue crane, old woman, bustard, !gãunu, |kabbo, and !nu!numma-!kwiten's songs (songs sung to Sirius and Canopus)