Black Horse

The Magic Fiddle

In short: In this Santal tale, an instrument made from bamboo carries a young woman’s voice far from home.

The Magic Fiddle · The enchanted fiddle FAIRY TALE ATLAS · № 42 The Magic Fiddle In this Santal tale, an instrument made from bamboo carries a young woman’s voice far from home. Origin Santal oral tradition. Campbell translated the account from Santali into English. Atlas record 1891 First appearance Exact date unknown SIGNATURE MOTIF The enchanted fiddle Reach¹ 2/10 Suggested age² 8+ Member rating No votes yet 2 records · 2 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

Santal oral tradition. Campbell translated the account from Santali into English.

A bamboo stalk grows by the water. A travelling musician cuts it and makes a fiddle. When the girl’s brothers hear it, the sound reminds them of someone crying. The instrument passes to another household, where the girl steps out of it when nobody is looking. Campbell’s title page gives 1891. In his 1892 London collection, Jacobs credits Campbell’s text and notes that he changed some of the wording.

Dated records and sources

  1. 1891 · Pokhuria · historical Manbhum, approximate
    A. Campbell · Santal Folk Tales · The Magic Fiddle, pp. 52–56 · Published collection
  2. 1892 · Indian tale · London edition
    Joseph Jacobs · Indian Fairy Tales · The Magic Fiddle · Published collection

Country pages

Fairy Tale Glossary

Origin
Black Horse. The Magic Fiddle. https://blackhorsestories.com/en/atlas-tale-magic-fiddle/