Cat Swings

Ancient hunters would announce their kills by picking up the animal and swinging it lasso-style over their heads. Other hunters could see the propelled animal and, in hopes it was a cat, come running. The cat holds a feeding power: good meat for the men, and popular prey in their land. They anticipate more game present so they can feed all their kin. 

As new hunter boys learn this technique, their fathers do not tell them the results of swinging the dead cat. Instead, the fathers tell their young sons to swing their kill above their heads to prove their strength and to bless the game and tribe for food. Also, if they look to the sky while hunting and see a flying feline, they must go closest to the animal so that their families will eat well through the next season.

Meanwhile, other animals of the herd and in the area also come running. They pick up the scent of the carcass wafting through the air. The smell of a fresh kill gets their stomachs going and they race to the source.

In a short matter of time, men with their hunting tools, and hoards of animals gather on the savanna. They each want to get closest to the hunter swinging the dead cat; however, it’s a tough feat. The force of the propelled feline’s dead weight knocks the animals and men down like bowling pins.

The animals begin to realize there is easier game out in the grasslands and scurry off. The older men (who know how to avoid swinging cats) finish off the animals that got knocked out and help the younger men up.

The hunters trek home with their wealth of food for the winter season. The man with the initial kill doesn’t have to carry any of the new meat, as he showed his strength by swinging the cat. The newer hunters carry most of the load back to the village.

During the hike back, the young hunters grumble. The seasoned hunters remind them that while they want to get closest to the swinging dead cat, they must not get knocked down by it. A cat can stretch out awfully far and they must give the swinger room to spread the blessing around. They warn the young hunters that if not given enough room, the swinger may turn the blessing against them and their families will famish.

So with this cat tale, please be wary of anyone swinging a dead cat, or looking for room to swing one.