Nyangara the Python

“Nyangara the Python” by Charlotte Blake-Alston from Bit ‘O This-Bit ‘O That Charlotte Blake Alston tells traditional and contemporary stories from African and African American traditions. This story comes from the Shona people living in the eastern half of Zimbabwe. It is about a python named Nyangara, who has mystical powers of healing and a chief of a village that saves his life. In return Nyangara saves the chief’s life, but only if the villagers can get over their fear of a giant python.