In the rolling plains and rocky hills of Eritrea, there is a saying that the hyaena is a Moslem. This belief shaped how people interacted with the animals and the creatures’ work among them. For the Christians, any prey that the hyaena wounded or killed was strictly forbidden: they did not eat it, touch it, or bring it near their homes. They would swear by what the hyaena had left, saying, “May we be spared if we do what the hyaena has done!” Yet the Moslems held a different view: if the hyaena merely wounded an animal and it had not yet died, they would finish the hunt and eat the meat.
Long ago, there were those rare people who could understand the language of the hyaenas. The hyaenas, they discovered, did not simply howl at random. Their calls were messages, each howl carrying meaning, a form of conversation hidden from ordinary ears. When a hyaena howled to another, the interpreter knew it conveyed intent, warning, or plans. However, these secrets were jealously guarded: the knowledge of the hyaenas’ language was shared sparingly, only to those who begged for it, and even then, only a little at a time.
It was said that these interpreters never lied. If a hyaena spoke of danger, misfortune, or opportunity, the interpreter relayed it truthfully. One day, a hyaena turned to its companion and said, “Come, let us go to that place; a tribe has been plundered, and there are bodies left behind. We shall feed from them.” The listeners, aware of the interpreter’s abilities, begged to know what had been said. Reluctantly, he conveyed the message: the hyaena was planning to take advantage of a weakened tribe.
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The next morning, news arrived confirming the tribe had indeed been plundered. The people were astonished: the hyaenas’ words were accurate, and the interpreter’s translation had revealed a hidden truth. From that day onward, the villagers knew that paying attention, observing carefully, and understanding nature, even through unlikely messengers like the hyaena, could provide vital knowledge.
Over time, the lesson became a proverb in Eritrea: “He who listens to the hyaena learns what the eyes cannot see.” People came to respect both the animal and those who understood its language. They learned that wisdom often resides in unusual forms and that patience, observation, and humility could reveal secrets hidden from the unobservant.
And so it is said: those who observe carefully, even in the quietest howls, find guidance for their lives. The hyaena, ever wary and shrewd, continues to roam the plains, but for those who pay attention, its voice carries lessons beyond mere survival.
Moral Lesson
This tale teaches that wisdom and guidance can come from unexpected sources. By observing carefully and listening attentively, one can gain insights that ordinary eyes might miss. Patience and attention are as important as strength or power in understanding the world.
Knowledge Check
Who is believed to be a Moslem in this folktale?
The hyaena.
Why did the Christians avoid meat touched by the hyaena?
They believed consuming it would bring misfortune.
What special skill did some people possess in the tale?
They could interpret the language of the hyaenas.
What was the hyaena planning to do according to the interpreter?
Feed from the bodies of a plundered tribe.
What is the main moral lesson of the tale?
Wisdom can come from unexpected sources, and careful observation is crucial.
From which cultural origin is this folktale?
Tigre people of Eritrea.
Source: Tigre folktale, Eritrea
