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The Moss-Green Princess

In short: Kitila’s moss-green covering falls away when she steps into the river.

The Moss-Green Princess · A covering that falls away in the river FAIRY TALE ATLAS · № 270 The Moss-Green Princess Kitila’s moss-green covering falls away when she steps into the river. Origin Eswatini · Swazi storytelling tradition, approximate location Atlas record 1908 First appearance Exact date unknown SIGNATURE MOTIF A covering that falls away in the river 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

Eswatini · Swazi storytelling tradition, approximate location

In the Swazi tale also titled Nya-nya Bulembu, Kitila keeps birds away from the crops. Her green covering floats off when she goes into the river, a change some children eventually see from afar. It returns when she leaves the water. Near the end, the scene repeats with one difference. The covering flies all the way to her mother’s home.

Dated records and sources

  1. 1908 · Eswatini · Swazi storytelling tradition, approximate location
    Sarah F. Bourhill / Beatrice L. Drake · Nya-nya Bulembu; or, the Moss-green Princess · Fairy Tales from South Africa, XVII · Published collection

Country pages

Origin
Black Horse. The Moss-Green Princess. https://blackhorsestories.com/en/atlas-tale-moss-green-princess/