African Animal Fables.
Why the Tortoise is a taboo

Why the tortoise is a taboo

Story, story...s-t-o-r-y. Once upon a time , a green bird was out for hunting, And it came in contact with a sea tortoise with a scally shell just coming out of the water.
The Tortoise, though lived in the sea, told the green bird about its interest in meeting and knowing the people and the earth. The bird said that it was easily done and he would act as a guide.
So they set off for the interior. The tortoise found it had to walk, because of its flat feet, and began to complain. But the bird had no trouble, jumping from tree to tree and resting in the shade.
It made fun at the tortoise at first, but then took pity on it. The bird said it was a magician and would make better feet for the Tortoise.
This was done and they went on with their journey.
A little later, the bird dropped some dirt on the tortoise accidentally, and the tortoise called it filthy. The bird got angry and flew off leaving the Tortoise to find its way back by itself.
That is how the sea tortoise became a land tortoise.
Ever since then the land tortoise and its children have wandered about, without finding the sea.
So, its flesh is a taboo, for god made it for salt water, and men can only eat animals that live on land.

Unfinished painting, inspired by this fable. 3'x2' oil on canvas. painted by Nath ogunyale.