Indian Folktales from Mauritius by Dawood Auleer and Lee Haring
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Works cited, Endnotes,
x + 116 pages, Paperback Rs.200 (India and Mauritius) / US $10 (Other countries)
Indian Folktales from Mauritius
translated and edited by DAWOOD AULEEAR and LEE HARING
To order a copy, send Demand Draft or International Money Order in favour of National Folklore Support Centre payable at Chennai (India).
About the Book
Eighteen magical, romantic, and comic oral tales, from the island of Mauritius, in the Indian Ocean, are here translated into English for the first time. The stories were taken down literally from the lips of storytellers in the Bhojpuri language. They are not rewritten or redecorated; they are translated literally, and some are given in Bhojpuri.
The ancestors of these villagers were forcibly expatriated from India, a century and a half ago, as indentured labourers. Today, through these tales, they maintain their ancient language and culture. Comparative notes place these Mauritian tales in the context of world folklore. Despite the passage of several generations since their ancestors immigrated, the Bhojpuri storytellers are faithful to well known Indian story elements. One of the keenest bits of social commentary in our collection appears in the last story, where the Bhojpuri-speaking lady is posed against the Kreol-speaking man. Such ethnic parody points to the selfconsciousness, and also the creativity, that multiculturalism has brought to Indo-Mauritians.
All translations are by Dawood Auleear and Lee Haring. Rather than rewrite or retell the stories (Ramdoyal), we try to indicate something of the performer’s oral style, including repetitions and ‘mistakes.’
Contents
Introduction
1. The King and the Minister
2. Son Avenges Father against Corrupt Minister
3. Wicked King Caused to Repent
4. King Discovers Thieves are Cleverest
5. Precepts Bought Prove Correct
6. Four Skillful Brothers
7. The Clever Peasant Girl
8. Swallowing Monster
9. The Rich and the Poor Sisters
10. Father Tricks His Avaricious Son
11. Hospitality Rewarded
12. Syar (Lions) Attempt to Kill Humans Occupying House they have Chosen to Live In
13. Outcast Girl Marries King in Snakeskin Disguise
14. The Old Woman’s Clothes
15. Winning against The Oil-maker
16. What is Most Shameful?
17. Words in Foreign Language Thought to be Insults
18. The Old Lady at The Bus Station
Endnotes
List of Works Cited
