The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

NEGRO FOLKTALE

IN ONE OF THE LOUISIANA PARISHES {COUNTIED} THIS TALE
CIRCULATES ABOUT A NEGRO MAN AND HIS "YALLER" WOMAN:
EVERY NIGHT THE NEGRO NOTICED THAT HIW WIFE, A "YALLER"
WOMAN WOULD GET UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AND
SPIN OFF HER SKIN IN THE LIGHT OF THE FIRE. WHEN SHE
WAS FINISHED, SHE WOULD THROW HER SKIN UNDER THE BED
AND GO OFF INTO THE NIGHT LOOKING LIKE A BIG "YALLER"
CAT. EVERY NIGHT SHE DID THIS, SO ONE NIGHT THE NEGRO
THOUGHT HE WOULD FOOL HER. AFTER SHE LEFT THE HOUSE IN
THE SHAPE OF A CAT, HE PULLED HER SKIN OUT FROM UNDER THE
BED AND FILLED IT WITH RED HOT COALS. HE THEN GOT BACK IN
BED AND WAITED 'TIL SHE CAME HOME. JUST 'FORE DAWN CAME,
THE WOMAN RETURNED AND WENT TO HOP BACK INTO HER SKIN.
WHEN SHE DID, SHE SCREAMED SO LOUD TO CURDLE THE NEGRO'S
BLOOD AND RAN OUT OF THE HOUSE AND WAS SEEN NO MORE.

Submitter comment: YELLOW NEGRO WERECAT

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 01-20-1968