The Ndebele people of Matabeleland, Zimbabwe, from whom these stories originate, are renowned as the proud descendants of the Zulu nation. They are also the possessors of a language rich in beauty and musicality.
From animal fables to mysterious forces residing in the landscape, this collection demonstrates the wealth and variety of African folk tales and the particular magic of Africa's spiritual roots: a sense of unity with the environment. Simple, surprising and humorous, these beautifully rendered tales demonstrate McCall Smith's renowned story-telling skill and his love of Africa, and remain as fresh and vital as in the original idiom.