The Nunda, Eater of People

The son had his slaves beat drums to keep him awake, but when it grew light they slept and a bird ate all the dates.

Against his desperate parent's wishes, the youngest son set out after the cat, which was called "The Nunda (Eater of People)" and could not find it for many days.

The tale was also collected in Zanzibar by George Bateman, with the name Mkaaah Jeechonee, the Boy Hunter: his father is Sultan Maaj'noon and the huge cat is called Noondah.

[3] Another translation of the tale was Nunda the Slayer and the origin of the One-Eyed, whose source is reportedly from the Swahili language.

This version lacks the introductory part with the bird and begins with the Sultan feeding his pet cat until he grows large enough.

[8] The second part of the tale sometimes exists as an independent story, such as the version Hadisi ya nunda, collected and published by German linguist Carl Velten [de].

In regards to the Nunda (es), she compared it to a series of stories from other African peoples about "The Swallowing Monster" that grows larger with each thing it devours and/or is capable of eating entire villages.

[13][14] Edward Steere noted the resemblance of the hero's name, Sit-in-the-kitchen, with Cinderella, another folktale character that sits in the ashes.