Wednesday, July 27, 2016

C109. Baer (p. 115). How Black Snake Caught the Wolf

This is Chase109.

Types ATU0676 open sesame
Motifs
K0315 thief gains access by means of magic opening formula
Notes

Baer: "While the broad outline of the Open Sesame story is widespread, the particular incidents, sequence, and animals actors of this story are characteristic of African and West Indian variants."

Klippe has 9 versions, with 6 like Remus because:
animal keeps food in cave/larder/tree
second animal overhears password
third animal forces second to disclose secret
third animal is trapped

conclusion: "This tale type is popular in India, Europe, Africa, and the New World. The closest parallels to harris's Rabbit/Wolf version are the Hare/Hyena versions in Africa."

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