The
Buffalo Kaross
A story from the Kurdi
of Lake Tchad, Chad
South of the great lake, a lone hunter crept along the banks of the Chari
River, stalking a small buck. As he rounded a bend in the river, he was
startled to see a group of naked women bathing. These were fine buxom women,
laughing and splashing in the water. He moved his position to get a better
view.
As he crept closer he noticed their buffalo hide karosses lying on the bank.
"One of these would be nice to keep me warm at night." he thought. He felt
each one, carefully selecting the softest kaross for himself and then crept
back into the bushes to continue watching the women. They were unaware of
him as he was very skilful in remaining invisible from his prey while hunting.
The women emerged from the river and draped their karosses over their shoulders.
To his amazement each changed into a female buffalo, the minute the kaross
covered their body. Each that is, except the most beautiful woman who owned
the kaross he had stolen. She looked around in panic as her 'buffalo' sisters
wandered off into the forest. Frantically she searched for her missing kaross.
The hunter emerged and quickly caught her as she tried to run away, speaking
to her in quiet soothing tones. Eventually she calmed down and he then persuaded
her to marry him. She agreed on condition that she be allowed to occasionally
wear her kaross to be with her 'buffalo' sisters.
They remained happily married and had a son, but the hunter was not completely
contented. When they went to show their new son to his 'buffalo' grandparents,
the hunter asked them to change him also into a buffalo as he did not want
to live in the wicked world of men any longer. |
