C039. Baer (p. 62). brother Rabbit's Astonishing Prank

This is Chase039.

Types none
Motifs K0521 disguise by covering with honey and leaves
Notes

Baer: "Such disguises with natural substances occur often enough in African tales to be noteworthy although they have not been given motif numbers."

Mofokeng has tale "in which hare disguises lion by binding him with leaves and smearing the whole bundle with honey." Baer has other examples, but not with honey and leaves.

Alice Werner disguises hare's disguises in Bantu stories (see p. 259). Baer comments: "This characteristic device of the African hare is shared by Brer Rabbit."

Baer cites Noss on Wanto (spider) in Gbaya tradition: "honey-comb nose is the name Wnato gives himself when he is disguised in dry leaves with globs of honey beside his nose"

Baer: "These disguises are distinct from transformation, an ability of the African tricksters which Brer Rabbit never demonstrates."