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Overview
A sick king’s vizier prescribes an apple from the garden of Bhalia Bint Manssor, who lives beyond seven seas. The king’s six favoured sons-in-law seek it, but Sidi Hammed secretly undertakes the real journey after demanding the tips of their little fingers in payment. His ring spirits cannot transport him themselves and direct him to an ancient featherless flying being. That carrier takes him across the seas and explains the garden’s three gates and bird-shaped guardian. It also describes Bhalia’s rhythm of sleeping for a whole year and remaining awake for a whole year.
Hammed overcomes the guardian after two missed arrows, opens the gate and takes the apple. Before leaving, he writes a note identifying himself as Sidi Hammed, possessor of the magic ring. The carrier returns him across the seas, and the six claimants deliver the apple to their king. When Bhalia wakes, she finds the note and resolves to visit the man who entered her country. She gathers her forces, flies across the seven seas and surrounds his city. Hammed secretly leaves the city to fight them. Two days of combat are followed by complete victory on the third day, after which Bhalia returns to her own country. The tale gives her name, sleep cycle, flight and command of an army; it does not say she is killed or becomes Hammed’s wife.
Origins & earliest records
Hans Stumme, Märchen der Schluḥ von Tázerwalt (Leipzig, 1895), tale 15, Die Geschichte von den beiden Knaben, die das Herz und den Kopf des Vogels gegessen hatten, und von der Bhalia Bint Manssor: complete German pp. 119–131. Abdulla Ben Mhammed, dictating contributor; recording context Preface v–vi.
Records & interpretation
Complete long German tale 15 read through all three medicinal quests, Bhalia’s invasion and defeat, wedding exposure and final family judgment. Head/ring and heart/justice roles distinct. Religious identities of individual villain characters are source framing, not evidence about communities.
Selected bibliography
Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.
- 01
Märchen der Schluḥ von Tázerwalt
Tale 15, whole German pp. 119–131; bird119–123, lion king125, Bhalia/carrier/guardian127–129, resolutions130–131; Preface v–vi.
Family & connections
A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.
References
Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.
- Primary collected Tashelhit transcription with German translationOriginal bilingual collection: The Bird’s Head and Heart / Bhalia Bint ManssorResearch access: 2026-10-05
Image credits
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