Nahakoṭā’s Wedding Feast
H. (Henry) Parker translation
In a certain country there are a woman and a man, it is said. While they were there the woman bore two girls and a boy. When they were there a long time the man died.
After that, a day or two having passed, Nahakoṭā went, in order to call the girl back [to be his wife]. Having gone [he said] at the girl’s hand, “Younger sister, mother told me to go back with thee; on that account I came here.”
While coming with that girl, having met with villages on the road that girl says, “Elder brother, is our village still far away?”
Then Nahakoṭā says, “Why do you say, ‘Elder brother, elder brother?’ Would it be bad if you said, ‘Husband, husband’ (Wāhē)?”
Then that girl being frightened, comes without speaking. Again, when coming a little further, she asks, “Elder brother, is our village still far away?”
Then Nahakoṭā says, “Why do you say, ‘Elder brother, elder brother?’ Would it be bad if you said, ‘Husband, husband?’ ”
Then the girl being frightened comes without speaking. Thus, in that way they came quite home. Having come, Nahakoṭā said to Nahakoṭā’s mother, “Mother, pound flour and cook cakes. I am going to spread nets to catch [animals] for my [wedding] feast.” Having said it, Nahakoṭā went to spread nets, joining with a man.
After that, the girl says, “Mother, when elder brother and I were coming, I asked at elder brother’s hand, ‘Elder brother, is our village still further on?’ Then elder brother said, ‘Why do you say, “Elder brother, elder brother?” If you said, “Husband, husband,” would it be bad?’ ”
Afterwards the woman says, “Daughter, let us two go somewhere or other before that one comes.” Having said it, and cut the throat (lit., neck) of a cock, and hung it above the hearth, and placed a cooking-pot on the hearth, and blown the fire, and shut the house door, the woman and the girl went somewhere or other.
Having danced, after it became night, on account of their not opening the door Nahakoṭā knocked at the door and told them to open the door. They did not open it.
Afterwards, having opened the door, when he looked there was nobody. A cock, only, was hung near the hearth, a cooking-pot placed on the hearth, only the fire is blazing on the hearth.
North-western Province.