Speaking Mirror of Fenda Maria’s Mother

Overview

In version A of Ngana Fenda Maria, the mother sends to Portugal for a mirror that speaks. Each morning, after washing and dressing, she asks whether she is beautiful or ugly. The mirror repeatedly assures her that no one in the world equals her beauty. Its reply changes after her grown daughter enters the room while the mother is out and looks at herself. The object subsequently tells the mother that she is beautiful, but her daughter surpasses her. The ninth-versus-tenth expression marks the comparison rather than specifying numerical beauty measurements.

For three days the mother receives the same unwelcome answer. She fears that her daughter will attract the men she wants for herself and has a separate house built, its doors and windows blocked, leaving only an opening for food and water. Daughter and nurse remain confined for years before making an escape opening. The speaking object initiates this part of the complete tale through its own answers. It is distinct from the later mirror that the heroine requests alongside self-acting tools: that second mirror belongs to her nightly disclosure of the stolen rescue, while the mother’s mirror belongs to the opening rivalry.

Origins & earliest records

Version A was supplied in his own handwriting by João Borges Cezar, an educated official at the Bom-Jesus sugar-cane plantation and distillery on the Kuanza River. Chatelain says he reviewed the wording and meaning with him and identifies his dialect as Loanda, with knowledge of inland speech. The collector’s comparative argument about foreign origins is not a date or proof of a single original source.

Records & interpretation

Complete tale I, Ngana Fenda Maria, version A pp. 29–41; version B pp. 42–51 checked separately. Version A contributor note begins p. 253; comparative discussion pp. 253–254.

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 I, Ngana Fenda Maria, version A pp. 29–41; version B pp. 42–51 checked separately. Version A contributor note begins p. 253; comparative discussion pp. 253–254.

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 — Speaking Mirror of Fenda Maria’s MotherResearch access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.