The Legend of Dhegdheer
(Long Ears)
Summary
In this hair-raising cautionary tale from Somalia, the Hargega Valley is plagued by the monstrous Dhegdheer, who gobbles up anyone unlucky enough to cross her path. A widow and her young son try to escape her.
How it examplifies the folk tale genre.
- It was passed down for generatons with various diffrences to the plot.
- It has a characteristically evil mother.
- It has a clear conflict between the mother who is considered evil and the two good protaganists.
- The antagonist uses the villiagers foolishness and gullibiltiy against them.