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Lègba and the Four Instruments

In short: Find out how Lègba passes Mawu’s test of music and dance in a Fon story from Benin.

Lègba and the Four Instruments · Four instruments played at once FAIRY TALE ATLAS · № 198 Lègba and the Four Instruments Find out how Lègba passes Mawu’s test of music and dance in a Fon story from Benin. Origin A Fon vodún narrative from present-day Benin. The date marks the collection Melville and Frances Herskovits published in 1958. Atlas record 1958 First appearance Exact date unknown SIGNATURE MOTIF Four instruments played at once Reach¹ 1/10 Suggested age² 8+ Member rating No votes yet 1 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 Fon vodún narrative from present-day Benin. The date marks the collection Melville and Frances Herskovits published in 1958.

Mawu says the one who can play four instruments while dancing will take the lead. A gong, bell, drum and flute are all involved. After the others try, Lègba succeeds. In this story, precedence depends on coordinating sound and movement at once.

Dated records and sources

  1. 1958 · Southern Benin, Fon region of tradition
    Melville J. and Frances S. Herskovits · Dahomean Narrative · p. 140 · Published collection

Country pages

Origin
Black Horse. Lègba and the Four Instruments. https://blackhorsestories.com/en/atlas-tale-legba-four-instruments/