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Overview

Kaxinjengele, translated as Squirrel, is proposed as a king in the short thirty-second tale. The people say they will give him the kingship shortly, but he insists on receiving it that day. They explain that they must obtain its insignia first. He intensifies the demand for immediate action instead of accepting the preparations.

The people decide that his impatience shows he could not govern them and withdraw the offer. The conclusion turns the repeated demand into a saying about why Squirrel lost the kingship. There is no completed coronation, palace battle or magical crown in this brief witness. Chatelain presents it as the counterpart to the following dog tale, where the candidate reaches the installation but loses it for another reason.

Speaking squirrelProposed kingInsists on immediate installationOffer withdrawnEtiological saying
01

Origins & earliest records

Jelemía dia Sabatelu is the named contributor; dialect and origin are Mbaka. Chatelain’s note XXXII interprets the squirrel as an emblem of impatience; the body retains the exact small episode rather than expanding that interpretation into new powers.

02

Records & interpretation

Complete tale XXXII, Squirrel and the Kingship, bilingual pp. 210–211; English p. 211. Contributor and notes 555–557 p. 300.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

  1. 01

    Folk-Tales of Angola

    Héli Chatelain, collector, editor and literal English translator; named contributor in origin · 1894

    Complete tale XXXII, Squirrel and the Kingship, bilingual pp. 210–211; English p. 211. Contributor and notes 555–557 p. 300.

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.

  1. Collected Ki-mbundu text with facing English translation and contributor notesChatelain 1894 — Kaxinjengele and the Lost KingshipResearch access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

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