southwest Tanzania

(map)

Although this myth almost certainly derives from the Noah story, the informant maintained that it was a genuine tradition of the country, not borrowed from foreigners.

The rivers began flooding. God told two men to go into a ship, taking with them all sorts of seed and animals. The flood rose, covering the mountains. Later, to check whether the waters had dried up, the man sent out a dove, and it came back to the ship. He waited and sent out a hawk, which did not return because the waters had dried. The men then disembarked with the animals and seeds.

Frazer, 1919, 332.