Black Horse

Dêdé and the False Bride

In short: Discover how a song becomes evidence of identity in Dêdé’s story, recorded in Burkina Faso.

Dêdé and the False Bride · A song that reveals identity FAIRY TALE ATLAS · № 126 Dêdé and the False Bride Discover how a song becomes evidence of identity in Dêdé’s story, recorded in Burkina Faso. Origin A Malinké tale told by Kamissa Souko in Fada N’Gourma. Atlas record 1912 First appearance Exact date unknown SIGNATURE MOTIF A song that reveals identity Reach¹ 1/10 Suggested age² 8+ Member rating No votes yet 2 records · 1 countries or regions blackhorsestories.com

¹ Based on the number of Atlas countries, capped at 10. ² Editorial suggestion for reading this page. Discover Black Horse’s question

Origin and tradition

A Malinké tale told by Kamissa Souko in Fada N’Gourma.

Dêdé’s travelling companion uses control of the water to take her place. When the deception begins to unravel, a song heard in the village becomes the clue. Équilbecq suggests comparing Grimm’s Falada episode. In both stories, a hidden identity is uncovered because someone listens closely.

Dated records and sources

  1. 1912 · Fada N’Gourma, Burkina Faso
    Kamissa Souko / Samako Niembélé · La fausse fiancée · Équilbecq · Field documentation
  2. 1913 · Fada N’Gourma, Burkina Faso
    F.-V. Équilbecq · Contes indigènes de l’Ouest africain français · VII · Published collection

Country pages

Related tales

Origin
Black Horse. Dêdé and the False Bride. https://blackhorsestories.com/en/atlas-tale-dede-false-bride/