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


THE BUSHMAN SOUP SPOON.[1][2]

The hair of the Proteles is here, that part of the hair which is on the top of its back.[3] The roots of the hair are here, those which stick into the skin.

I do not know whether it is springbok's paxwax[4] [which binds the hair on the stick]. This is the (wood of the) "Driedoorn" (the "Driedoorn") is a bush.

We scratch the fire together with it (i.e., with the handle of the brush). Therefore, the fire burns, blackening this part of it. It becomes black.

[1. Among some Bushman implements given to Dr. Bleek. by a friend, was the brush of which a picture appears in the illustrations. ||kabbo recognized this at once as a Bushman "soup spoon" and showed us, with immense pleasure, in what manner the bushmen eat soup with it, and how well it can be used to take up the fat on the top of the soup, if rolled round in it.

2. The men are those who bind (i.e., make) them.

3. Really along its back, the narrator explains.

4. It is in the flesh; it lies upon the bone. It is yellow.]

 


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