Paintings of African Tribes - A man Hunting Giraffe illustrating a Legend of the Tswana African tribe "The Origin of People"
An African Legend

One of a series of paintings illustrating African Legends that were commissioned for a Prestige Corporate Calendar, "African Tales", in 1998

550mm x 400mm
(21.5" x 15.75")


Mixed Media - Watercolour
and Pencil

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Copyright © Mike Elliott 2004   email Mike Elliott
The Origin of People
A Tswana tale from the southern Kalahari

At the dawn of time, the Gods created the first man named Tauetona. They then created his brothers and the animals. All was peaceful in this land called "Thaya Banna" (The beginning of Men)

But all was not well because, unlike the animals, the men had no wives. Their cave was not a happy place.

The Gods sent a message to the men, with 'Tread Carefully' the Chameleon. In This message they said that "The men would all have to die but they may return later". 'Tread Carefully' took a very long time to deliver this puzzling message.

In the meantime the Gods decided that they should send a second more clear message with the fast lizard. They said that "Your spirits will live forever but you will die like the animals." They also said that the men would have children! "But how can this be, without women?" asked the men.

What the men did not know was that the Gods had created women in another valley far away called 'Motlhaba Basetsana' (The Plain of Women).

Later, while hunting, Tauetona discovered some strange footprints, very much like his own but a lot smaller. "What are these?" he asked the Brown Hyena. "I do not know this animal." the Hyena replied, not really interested as it was too big an animal for him to catch.

"From your great height can you see this animal?" the man asked the Giraffe. looking into the distance the wise Giraffe saw the valley and a dozen of these strange bipeds, which he guessed were the women that the men desired. "I can see them and I shall go and ask them to return with me."

The Giraffe went and spoke to the women, saying that he would take them to some young men who eagerly awaited them. The women followed the Giraffe, rejoicing and singing songs of motherhood.

In the meantime the old Mother of Gods made a potion from mimosa seeds which she then placed on the tongue of each man. This gave the men the gift of human speech so that they could propose to the women and marry them.

This story, with many significant variations, can be found in most cultures throughout southern Africa. The common theme throughout, however, is that the Chameleon arrives after the Lizard with a message of doom, whereas the Lizard's, first arriving message, gives some hope in terms of spiritual life and future generations of mankind. There is reason to suggest that this legend lies at the root of the common belief in Africa that the Chameleon is 'The bringer of Death'