Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 1 1883.djvu/313

THE ORATORY, SONGS, LEGENDS, AND FOLK-
TALES OF THE MALAGASY.

By the Rev. James Sibree, Junior.

(Continued from page 279.)

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IFÀRAVÀVIMANOMBÀNA TAKEN FOR A WIFE.

NCE upon a time a girl named Rafàravàvimànombàna was taken for a wife, but she was unwilling; and people continually endeavoured to obtain her for a wife, but she still refused. And after some time, there came a man named Rafàtidràmbìby to seek her in marriage, and on his arrival he asked for her in the customary manner in such cases. But still the girl utterly refused, shaking her head and saying evil words. And so Rafàtidràmbìby having endeavoured without success to obtain a wife, went and sought the animals with which he had made a blood covenant, and made an appointment to meet two fierce animals. And when he came near their abode he called out in the form of a song thus:—

"Come up, come up, say I,
O you fòsa ^[1] and antàmba^[1] here!
Come up, come up, say I;
For there is, for there is a proud one,
Who makes light of your relation."

And when these fierce creatures heard that, they came to meet Rafàtindràmbìby. As soon as they approached, he said, "This, comrades, is the reason of my coming here to you, for ye are relatives and one with me, and have agreed to share the difficult and the bitter with me. There is a certain person holds me in great contempt, and bears herself very haughtily, as if she were far above me; and that is not to be endured, comrades, for she tosses her head as if I was not good enough for her. So, friends, give me your opinion and advice as to how I may kill this wicked woman. For look, friends, I have

1. The fòsa is a small but ferocious animal belonging to the civets (Viverridæ); it is difficult to say whether the antàmba is a mythical creature, or has any real existence; perhaps it may be the Cryptoprocta ferox.