Lake Guide of Thakane’s Quest

Overview

Thakane’s brother Masilo refuses to leave his initiation hut until he receives equipment made from Nanabolele hide. Their father does not know where to find the fabulous animals, so Thakane travels alone, asking at lakes while frogs direct her onward. At the great lake an old woman emerges, recognizes her by name and warns that the Nanaboleles eat people. She asks whether Thakane will enter, takes the frightened girl by the hand and leads her beneath the water as easily as if it were absent.

The guide shows her abandoned underwater villages and explains that their people have been eaten. She digs a hiding place, feeds Thakane, covers her with a stone and lays mats above. A boy brings the herd home. They smell human flesh, but the old woman strikes them with an old skin and disputes the warning until they tire and sleep. Their bodies then give out light. She brings Thakane from concealment and allows her to choose a fine animal for its hide; the flesh is buried instead of carried away.

Before sending her home, the guide gives Thakane a smooth stone that becomes a high mountain when set down and climbed. The animals pursue by her trail, but cannot reach her above it. She retrieves the stone and continues when they sleep; the repeated obstacle finally carries her far enough that the herd returns home. Thakane’s brother receives his equipment and rewards her journey with cattle. The guide’s own personal name and earlier history remain unstated. Her protection contrasts with the herd’s predation, rather than identifying her as another Nanabolele.

Origins & earliest records

Jacottet publishes the complete episode in Se-Suto with a literal English translation and explanatory notes. The inspected account does not attach an individual contributor name; the general contributor list in introduction xxii is not used to invent one.

Records & interpretation

Jacottet (1908), XXX The Nanaboleles, complete bilingual pp. 200–209; English pp. 200, 202, 204, 206, 208; kinship and reward ending p. 208, lake guide and vanished populations p. 204, sleeping light and mountain-stone pursuit p. 206; comparison with Nyamatsanes pp. 200–201.

Selected bibliography

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

1. 01

   The Treasury of Ba-suto Lore, vol. I

   Édouard Jacottet, collector and translator; J. C. Smith, English text assistance · 1908

   Jacottet (1908), XXX The Nanaboleles, complete bilingual pp. 200–209; English pp. 200, 202, 204, 206, 208; kinship and reward ending p. 208, lake guide and vanished populations p. 204, sleeping light and mountain-stone pursuit p. 206; comparison with Nyamatsanes pp. 200–201.

2. 02

   The Treasury of Ba-suto Lore, volume I

   Unnamed Sesotho narrative contributor; Édouard Jacottet, editor and translator; J. C. Smith, English text correction · 1908

   The Treasury of Ba-suto Lore, volume I, Morija: Sesuto Book Depot; London: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co., 1908, actual title-page OCR. Full preface and collection/translation statement introductionxxii independently read, alongside complete chapterXXXpp200–209 and notes; selected historical witness only.

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.

Located primary passages

Specific passages supporting details in this entry, grouped by their published witness.

References

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1. Collected Se-Suto text with literal English translation and notesJacottet — Lake Guide of Thakane’s QuestResearch access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

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