ǂKá̦gára (also spelled ǂKáʻgára; ) is a character in ǀXam (San) mythology associated with lightning.
Mythology
editA story recorded in the 19th century tells of ǂKá̦gára falling out with his brother-in-law ǃHãunu ou ǃHa͠unu (). ǂKá̦gára came to fetch his sister and take her home, but ǃHãunu pursued them. ǃHãunu began to throw lightning at ǂKá̦gára, but ǂKá̦gára was unhurt and threw lightning back. ǃHãunu died slowly, thundering, while ǂKá̦gára went to sleep, also thundering.[1] The story is told to young children to explain lightning and thunder during a storm.[2]
See also
edit- 469705 ǂKá̦gára, an astronomical body named after ǂKá̦gára, and its large moon ǃHãunu. (The likely pronunciations of these names are described there.)
- San mythology
References
edit- ^ Wilhelm Heinrich Immanuel Bleek; Lucy Lloyd; Gregory McNamee (2001). "ǂKá̦gára and ǃHãunu, Who Fought Each Other with Lightning". The Girl Who Made Stars: And Other Bushman Stories. Daimon. p. 82. ISBN 3-85630-599-8.
- ^ W H I Bleek (2009). Specimens of Bushman Folk-Lore. Abela Publishing Ltd. p. 73. ISBN 978-1-907256-13-4.