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“A Bruxa Velha” English-Portuguese translation by Vitor Rafael Siqueira de Araújo, “The Ole Higue” by Rosaliene Bacchus, Guyanese folkloric short story, Roraima/North Brazil
At the end of May 2017, I received an unexpected request by e-mail from Vitor Rafael Siqueira de Araújo, a young poet, literature teacher, and freelance Portuguese/English translator in Roraima, North Brazil. His first poetry collection is due for publication in 2018.
With a bachelor’s degree in English and Portuguese literature from the University of Roraima, Vitor is currently enrolled in a postgraduate course in Translation Studies. Specializing in the translation of short stories, Vitor sought permission to translate one of my short stories.
I selected my most popular short story, The Ole Higue, published in July 2008 in the Guyana Journal (New York/USA). Considering that my short story contains dialog in Caribbean Creole English, Vitor’s project was very ambitious.
With its origins in West African mythology, the ole higue is an evil spirit that takes the form of an ugly, repulsive old woman that sucks the blood of her victims. She’s a witch and vampire wrapped in one package to scare disobedient kids like my seven-year-old character, Sammy. Some children have to feel before they listen.
For my Brazilian and other Portuguese language readers, Vitor’s translation, A Bruxa Velha is now available on his blog. Enjoy.
This Thanksgiving, I give thanks to Vitor Rafael Siqueira de Araújo for this unexpected present.
A happy Thanksgiving Day to all my American readers!
Three Worlds One Vision 
>>> “… the ole higue is an evil spirit that takes the form of an ugly, repulsive old woman that sucks the blood of her victims.”
I’m scared – lol!
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Robert, no need to be scared. The ole higue prefers young blood 🙂
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What a relief – lol! 🙂
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Google translate wasn’t that adept, but it was clear enough — great dialogue, characters, and build up. I didn’t expect the end. A dark, scary tale to tell around the camp fire.
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Thanks, JoAnn 🙂 Sorry you missed my link to the English version: http://guyanajournal.com/Ole_Higue.html
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I must be blind. However, a good story stands up regardless the translation!
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And a happy thanksgiving to you Rosaliene. You are blessed with some very creative friends. I Just finished reading your short story The Ole Higue, a marvelous and captivating story. Great look into the local folklore along with a wonderfully descriptive brother-sister relationship and interaction.
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Mike, I’m pleased to learn that you enjoyed “The Ole Higue.” It is, as you’ve noted, about a brother-sister relationship. As the eldest of five siblings, I had my full share of helping my at-home working mother to take care of my two youngest brothers.
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Congratulations, Rosaliene!
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Thanks, Dr. Stein 🙂
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I’m so happy for having translated The Ole Higue, Rosaliene. It was a big challenge and a great pleasure, from which I learned a lot. This post makes me feel even happier, this s a great way to say thanks haha.
I’ve read some of your stories and soon I’ll try to read your novel, because I know you’re a prominent writer eager to grow, and I believe you will shine.
Thanks a ton! Hope we can have more of these pleasurable partnerships.
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Thanks for your support, Vitor. Sad to say, my two novels have not yet been published. I’m currently contacting literary agents for representation of my second novel, The Twisted Circle.
I look forward to future collaborations 🙂
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Reblogged this on Guyanese Online.
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Thanks for sharing, Cyril. Have a sunshine week 🙂
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Pingback: The Writing Life: Giving Thanks – By Rosaliene Bacchus
Thanks for sharing my post with your readers. Have an enjoyable Thanksgiving weekend 🙂
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HAPPY THANKSGIVING, Rosaliene. Certainly, the translation of your short story by Vitor de Araújo is a welcoming gift. Your story of the Ole Higue takes me back home.
Also, I am sincerely looking forward for the publication of your novels.
Like your thought: ‘Some children have to feel before they listen.’ Perrhaps, some need some good ‘cutrass’ (smile). Perhaps we can try spearing the rod to spoil the child.
There is joy in life. Keep looking.
Leonard Dabydeen (backward: needybad)
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Leonard, thanks for dropping by and leaving your best wishes and comment. My latest search for representation of my second novel has not yet yielded a positive outcome. Patience and persistence.
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🙂
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enjoyed that adventure
and the tale of Sammy.
wonderful that it’s translated
for a new audience 🙂
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Thanks, David 🙂 New readers are always welcome and appreciated.
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Congrats and wishing you & yours a lovely holiday season 🙂
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Thanks, da-AL 🙂
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Rosaliene, your story is fascinating and well-told! I’m not surprised that Vitor wanted to translate your work.
As I read about mischievous Sammy, I thought about the Windigo, sometimes used by Ojibwe parents and elders in “scaring stories” for the children whose behavior put them at serious risk. (http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/windigo/)
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Thanks for reading my short story, Carol. The Windigo seems even more fearsome than our “ole higue”.
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wow! what a great story – riveting, well-told.
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Thanks, Jennifer! Glad you enjoyed it.
It’s always great to hear from a fellow Guyanese. All the best during the Canadian Children’s Book Week in Quebec in May 2018 🙂
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Finally… finally, made time to read your short story. I think it’s fantastic. I love/hate the last line though! Leaving us in suspense like that, hm, that’s cheating. (Just kidding. I may have done that myself a few times…) This book you’re writing, is it poetry, short stories… history, fiction, drama? Curious.
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Sha’Tara, thanks so much for making time to read my short story. So glad that you enjoyed it. I ended it that way because it’s a cautionary tale for children who play with fire.
I completed the final revision of my novel in September; I’m now in the process of finding a literary agent/publisher. I classify it as upmarket women’s fiction. It’s inspired by real events that occurred during my final year in the convent. You can check out my post about it at https://rosalienebacchus.blog/2017/05/14/on-the-making-of-my-convent-novel
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Thank you. I will certainly do that.
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