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Overview
The rainbow appears as Nambwa-Mutalati in Jacottet’s Subiya text: its coat, legs and whole body resemble a dog. The collector explains the name as the dog crossing an expanse, understood here as the sky. The opening attributes the ending of heavy rain to an arrangement made by Leza. Its dwelling and throne are a termite mound, which also gives it the description king of the termite mound. Smoke in the trees draws an unwary traveller towards the creature.
Once approached, the rainbow-being pursues the traveller, with smoke seeming to fill the whole forest. The account says it sees poorly in strong sunlight; a failed pursuit ends with its return to its mound, where it stands reddish and content. A successful pursuit means death at the hands of the being and its offspring. Yet knowledgeable observers hiding among trees also see an attractive animal emerge with its children, playing like puppies. This final playful household belongs to the same witness as the threat. Notes compare a different Zulu rainbow figure and propose possible missionary influence on the rain-ending statement; neither comparison establishes the origin of the whole Subiya account.
Origins & earliest records
Jacottet’s 1899 Textes Soubiya publishes the Subiya text and French translation. His introduction credits the volume’s Subiya material to Kasala and Samata collectively, without assigning an individual teller to these selected tales. Kaboukou’s separately supplied Kololo and Totela texts do not establish him as their narrator.
Records & interpretation
The complete selected French episodes and surrounding notes were read. Narrative actions are separated from Jacottet’s speculative comparisons and general explanations. The 1899 original title page supplies the publication date despite conflicting Archive metadata.
Selected bibliography
Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.
- 01
Études sur les langues du Haut-Zambèze, II: Textes Soubiya
L, L’arc-en-ciel, pp. 146–147, complete account and separately attributed comparative notes.
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.
- Digitized primary collected textJacottet — Textes SoubiyaResearch access: 2026-10-05
Image credits
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