The Mythology and Folklore Database
M29V - The dwarf deer is a cunning winner
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Source Data from Berezkin's Analytics Catalogue, if using this data please acknowledge and link to it here:
Ю.Е. Березкин, Е.Н. Дувакин. Тематическая классификация и распределение фольклорно-мифологических мотивов по ареалам. Аналитический каталог.
Summary of Motif
The character defeats or deceives strong opponents using cunning. The protagonists are dwarf ungulates, usually duker or deer - taxonomically distant from each other, but similar in appearance. In some publications on African traditions, it is difficult to determine which animal we are talking about, but it is certain that these are small cloven-hoofed animals, usually (always?) dukers. See the motives in square brackets.Berezkin category: Adventures: Tricks and episodes
This is of motif type Cosmology and etiology and is part group 9, Identification of protagonists of the stories with particular animals or persons with particular qualities
M29 has 45 other sub-motifsM29. trickster is defined as a protagonist in the following characteristic episodes. M29a. See the motives in square brackets. M29a1. In three or more different episodes related to deception, absurd, obscene or anti-social behavior the protagonist is raven (crow) M29b. Fox (a), Jackal, Coyote (or Wolf when, apparently, we mean a steppenwolf, i.e. the same coyote). See the motives in square brackets. M29b1. As a result of his stupidity or antisocial behavior, the wolf dies or suffers damage. See the motives in square brackets. M29b2. As a result of its stupidity or antisocial behavior, the bear dies or suffers damage. See the motives in square brackets. M29b3. As a result of its stupidity or antisocial behavior, the fox (jackal) dies or suffers damage. See the motives in square brackets. If it is not specified that a “jackal”, then the protagonist is a fox. M29c. See the motives in square brackets. M29d. See the motives in square brackets. M29E. See the motives in square brackets. M29f. As a result of its stupidity or antisocial behavior, the wolverine dies or suffers damage. See the motives in square brackets. M29g. See the motives in square brackets. They include traditions in which the hare/rabbit appears only as a trickster, and another trickster (usually a fox or jackal) often occurs. M29g1. In episodes involving deception, ridiculous, obscene, or antisocial behavior, the hare or rabbit is the main trickster. Traditions in which 1) a hare or rabbit occurs only once as a trickster, and another trickster (usually a fox/jackal/coyote) is typical; 2) Mesoamerican traditions in which a small rabbit is associated with a small a set of episodes and a high probability of recent African influences. See the motives in square brackets. M29g2. Cancer (crab) defeats or deceives strong opponents by cunning. M29gg. hedgehog defeats or deceives strong opponents by cunning. M29h. See the motives in square brackets. M29i. See the motives in square brackets. M29j. See the motives in square brackets. M29k. A turtle (toad, frog) defeats strong opponents by cunning or perseverance. See the motives in square brackets. The character is named if it is a toad or frog; otherwise, a turtle. M29k1. A turtle (toad, frog) gets into unpleasant situations due to its own stupidity or carelessness. See the motives in square brackets. The character is named if it is a toad or frog; otherwise, a turtle. M29l. See the motives in square brackets. M29m. See the motives in square brackets. M29n. See the motives in square brackets. M29nn. See the motives in square brackets. M29o. See the motives in square brackets. M29o1. As a result of its stupidity or antisocial behavior, the monkey dies or suffers damage. See the motives in square brackets. M29p. See the motives in square brackets. M29q. See the motives in square brackets. M29qq. See the motives in square brackets. M29r. See the motives in square brackets. M29S. See the motives in square brackets. M29T. See the motives in square brackets. M29v. The character defeats or deceives strong opponents using cunning. The protagonists are dwarf ungulates, usually duker or deer - taxonomically distant from each other, but similar in appearance. In some publications on African traditions, it is difficult to determine which animal we are talking about, but it is certain that these are small cloven-hoofed animals, usually (always?) dukers. See the motives in square brackets. M29w. As a result of their stupidity or antisocial behavior, a jaguar (puma, ocelot) dies or suffers damage. See the motives in square brackets. The character is named if it is a puma or ocelot; otherwise, a jaguar. M29w1. As a result of their stupidity or antisocial behavior, the leopard (panther, leopard) dies or suffers damage. See the motives in square brackets. M29w2. As a result of its stupidity or antisocial behavior, the tiger dies or suffers damage. See the motives in square brackets. M29w3. As a result of its stupidity or antisocial behavior, the lion dies or suffers damage. See the motives in square brackets. M29x. As a result of its stupidity or antisocial behavior, the hyena dies or suffers damage. See the motives in square brackets. M29x1. See the motives in square brackets. M29X2. See the motives in square brackets. M29y. See the motives in square brackets. M29z. hero of the story is a character named “Beardless” or Aldar-Kose (Aldar is a “deceiver”, a braid is “beardless”). M29z1. purely anthropomorphic character, or a character who bears the name of an animal or plant but does not act zoomorphic in the course of his adventures. See the motives in square brackets. {Data not fully entered} M29z2. Being smart and witty, the Gipsy overcomes strong adversaries M29z3. The Gipsy (more often a female than a male) is an enemy overcome by the hero (heroine) or (rare) a weak failure M29z4. Click here if would you like to see a distrbution map combining all of M29's motifs? |
Top 10 Motifs with similar dispersal patterns
| Motif | Similarity | Motif Summary |
|---|---|---|
| L106 | 97.54% | A person takes an object belonging to another and loses it; the owner demands that the object be returned; the hero goes after it (to another world), usually finds it and brings back what was lost. See motifs K56a3 and L105. |
| H36H | 97.14% | Creatures, including a frog or toad, must cross an obstacle. This does not go as planned and results in humans becoming mortal. |
| I41C | 96.20% | Rainbow or Milky Way – reflection of a snake (fish) on land or in the sea. |
| L42H | 95.58% | A cannibal catches the hero and invites other cannibals to a feast. The hero escapes, and the cannibals eat the one who invited them. |
| K61B | 95.30% | In order to learn the names of strangers, the character finds or creates a situation in which they call each other by name aloud. |
| H25 | 94.68% | People are offered a choice between two objects, one of which represents death and the other life, or they are asked whether they want to be reborn or die forever. Death is chosen. |
| D4E1 | 94.48% | The thief or giver of fire, light or sun is the dog. See motif 4A. |
| H34D1 | 93.44% | The sky or celestial objects were edible, but then this source of food became inaccessible or is now only used by inhabitants of a country beyond the human world. |
| H34D | 92.14% | A zoomorphic character climbs or attempts to climb up to the sky or the moon to bite off a piece of them. |
| M129 | 91.70% | A parent intends to transfer primogeniture (royalty, other privileges) to a chosen son. Another son or brother comes under the guise of the chosen one and receives primogeniture. |
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Map of Motif Dispersal
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This motif has been recorded in 23 traditions: Zande (Azande, incl Nzakara), Swahili, Midjikenda (incl Giryama), Nyika, Duruma; Ngindo, Kiluguru and other Islamic groups of the Eastern Coast of Africa, Nyatutu, Kiniramba, Isanzu, Songe (Kisonge), Bena-Matembo, Sakata, Congo (Koongo, Bacongo; incl Vili, Fioti, (Ma)Yombe, MuKunyi), Ndombo, Luango (Loango), Zombo (Sambo), Laadi (Laari), (Ba)Fioti, Woyo (Kiwoyo), Ronga, Lingala, (Ba)Ngala, Ntomba, Kioque, (Ki)Bangi, Bolia, Balolo, Boloki, (Ba)Akwa, (U)Poto, Lega, Bangubangu, Boa, Komo, (Ba)Nyanga, Mbole, Mongo (Mongo-Nkundu), Nkundu, Ngelima, Ngombe, (Ba)Tetela), Pende, Wu(Kusu), (Ba)Mbala (incl Saie, Kwilu), Duala (Douala), Basa (Basaá), Kwiri (Kweli), Isubu, Tiv, Bamum (Bamun), Mungaka (Mgaka, Bali), Beba, Anaguta, Bete (Mbete, Karang), Ekoi, Nyang, Vute (Wute), Jukun, Chamba, Bamileke, Kwotto, Kirri; Denya (Nyang), Dan (=Gio), Guro (=Kweni, incl Gagu, Neio), Toura, Mano, Ngere, Beng, Guro , Northern Halmahera Papuans: Galela, Loda, Pagu, Modole, Tabaru (Tobaru), Tobelo, Tidore, Ternate, Toraja (Toradja), To Mori, Baree (=Eastern Toraja), Minahasa (incl. Tondano, Tentemboan), Bantik, Aceh (Acheh), Lampung (Lampong); South Sumatra Malays (incl. Bengkulu), Kayan, Bahau, Kenja, Aoheng, Punan (Bukat, Basap, Oloh Ot, etc); "Klemantan", Dusun, Murut, Kelabit, Tombonuwo, Bajau, Tidong, Uzbek, Sundanese, Congo