Le forgeron qui devint roi

Abstract

Mythology of Central Africa is particularly rich in ìgestesî of political origin. Mythology of the Kalebweís Songye chiefstancy, recently analysed, has a common structure with that of the neighbouring Luba Kingdomís famous ìgesteî, although it relates another story and illustrates different political structures; it is also composed of mythic stories in common with other civilizations of that region (particularly the Lunda). These links and the fact that the diffusion of the myths is independant of their signification (entirely or in part) reveal their true nature. The myths are legitimated by these qualities.Furthermore, an original feature of the Kalebwe myth is to confront the characters of the blacksmith and the hunter, two symbols of power which are very well spread out in Central Africa. In the Kalebwe tribe, they represent two types of political chiefs and are described through many metaphores relating to different aspects of the Songye culture.