The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1878-01-24
Folklore Of the Southern Negroes,

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FOLKLORE OF the Southern Negroes.
The folklore of Africo. Americans, as
appearing in our southern states, is a
medley of fables, songs, sayings incanta'
tions, charms and superstitious traditions
brought from various tribes along the
west African coast, and so far condensed
into one mass in their American homes,
that often part of story or tradition
belonging to one tribe is grated, without
much regard to consistency, upon part
belonging to another people, while they
are still further complicated by the fre-
quent infusion into them of ideas evil
IDENTIFY derived from communication with
the white race.
Multifarious as are the forms and as
poets of folklore among this remarkable
and, in some respects, highly.interesting,
people, the chief bulk of it lies stored
away among then fables, which are as
purely African as are their faces or their
plaintive melodies.
Travellers and missionaries tell us that
the same sweet airs which are 50 often
heard in religious meetings in America,
set to Christian hymns, are to be recog-
nized in the boats and palmrooted house
of Africa set to heather words and that
the same wild stories Of Buh Rabbit, Buh
Wolf, and other Buhs that are so charm
ing to the ears of American children, are
to be heard this day in Africa, differing
only in the drapery necessary to the
change of scene.
Almost without exception the actors
in the fables are brute animals endowed
with speech and reason, in whom mingle
strangely, and with ludiCrous incongru-
ity, the human and brute characteristics
The drdmatjs perscn" are always honored
with the title of Buh, which is generally
supposed to be an abbreviation of the
word "brother" (the Jr being sounded
without the whir of the n, but it
probably is a title of respect equivalent
to our Mr.. The animals which figure in
the stories are chiefly Buh Rabbit, Buh
Lion, Buh Wolf and Buh Deer, though
sometimes we hear of Buh Elephant,
Buh Fox, Buh Cootcr and Buh Goose.
As a rule, each Buh sLstans in every
fable the same general character. Buh
Deer is always a simpleton; Buh Wolf
always rapacious and tricky; Buh Rab-
bit ioppish, vain, quick-witted, though
at times a great fool Buh Elephant
quiet sensible aud dignitied.
or the Buh fables, that which is by all
odds the greatest fav0ritc, and which
appears in the greatest variety of forms,
is the "story OF Buh Rabbit and the Tar
Baby." Each variation preserves the
great landmarks, particularly the closing
scene. According to the most thoroughly
African version, it runs thus: Buh Rab-
bit and Buh Wolf are neighbors. In a
conversation one day Iiuh Wolf proposes
that they two shall dig well for their
Joint benefit, instead Of depending upon
chance rainfalIs or going to distant pools
or branches, as they have etten to do, to
quench their thirst. To this Buh Rah>
bit, who has no fondness for labor, though
willing enough to enjoy its fruits, offers
various objections, and finally gives
fiat refusal.
Well" says Buh Wolf, who per-
fcctly understands his neighbor, off you
no help dig well, yon mustn't u'e de
water"
"What for | gwine to use dA water ?'
responds Buh Rabbit, with affected dis
lain; "what use | got for well ? In dc
mornin' | drink de dew, an in middle O
day drink from de cow-tracks."
The we'll is dug by Buh Wolf alone,
who after awhile perceives that some one
besides himself draws from it. He
watches, and soon indentifies the intru
der as Buh Rabbit, who makes his visits
by night. Ebery mornin' he sees Buh
Rabbit tracks-ebory mornin' Buh Rab-
bit tracks," Indignant at the intrusion,
he resolves to set trap fer his thievish
neiehbor and to put him to death.
Knowing Buh Rabbits love for the
ladies, he fits up tar baby made to
look like beautiful girl, and sets it near
the we'll. By what magical process this
of an attractivelOoking
lady out of treachcrous adhesive tar is
acci mplished we are not informed. But
listeners to stories must not be inquisi-
tive about the mysterious parts; they
must be content to hear.
Buh Rabbit, emboldened by long i'm
punity, goes to the well as usual after
dark, sees this beautiful creature stand
ing there motionless, peeps at it time and
again fuspiciously; but being satisfied
that it is really young lady, he makes
polite bow and addresses her in gallant
language. The young lady makes no
reply. This encourages him to ask if he
may not come to take, "a kiss. Still no reply.
He sets his water.bucket on the ground,
marches up boldly and obtains the kiss,
but finds to his surprise that he can not
get away his lips are held fast by the tar.
He struggles and tries to persuade her to
let him go. Howhe is able 70 speak with
his lips sticking fast is another unex-
planned mystery; but no matter: he does
speak, and most eloquently, yet in vain.
He now changes his tone, and threatens
her with a slap. Still no answer. He
administers the slap, and bis hand sticks
fast One after the other, both hands
and both feet, as well as his mouth, are
thus caught, and poor Buh Rabbit re-
mains a prisoner until Buh Wolf comes
the next morning to draw water.