When Mary Lange asked a group of Upington women: `What do you know about the Water Snake?’, this triggered a set of lyrical short stories, in an attempt to capture the myth of the Water snake. The women’s response to her question formed the basis for the Water Stories, here published with a set of original drawings by regional artist Betta Steyn. Nana, Maria, Martha, Girlie and Bessa became narrators – sharing with us their beliefs surrounding the Water Snake. Religion, myth or folklore, these Water Stories provide a glimpse into the beliefs, customs, traditions and everyday realities of these peoples (descendants of, amongst others, the !Xam and Nguni).

The original regional Afrikaans narrations have been supplemented by an English translation as explanation. Subject fields include cultural studies, linguistics, religion, archaeology and anthropology.

(This book offers Afrikaans and English text in one volume)