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Specimens of Bushman Folklore, by W.H.I. Bleek and L.C. Lloyd, [1911], at sacred-texts.com


THE MAN WHO ORDERED HIS WIFE TO CUT OFF HIS EARS.

He[1] formerly wished (his) wife to cut off his ears, for his younger brother's head had surely been skinned[2]; whereas his younger brother's wife had only shaved his younger brother's head.

Therefore, (his) wife cut away his ears; although (his) wife had said that she would not do so; he was the one who insisted (upon it).

Therefore, (his) wife cut off his ears; and he was screaming, on account of his skin, while he himself had been the one who wished the wife to do so; for his younger brother's head had surely been skinned; whereas his younger brother had merely had his head shaved; while (his) wife shaved, removing the old hair.[3]

[1. !Xwe-|na-sse-!k'e is the name of the Bushmen who lived first in the land.

2. I am one who does not know his name, because the people were those who did not utter his name to me; for, they were men of the early race; therefore, they did foolish things on account of it.

3. He really thought that the skin of his younger brother's head was off, while it was his younger brother's head's hair which had been shaved away.]

 


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