Dogs in southern African literatures Edition: 1

Where are the dogs in southern African literature? The short answer is: everywhere, if you keep looking. Few texts centralise them, but they appear everywhere in the corners of people’s lives: pets walking alongside, strays in the alleys, accompanying policemen, at the dog shows, outhunting, guarding gates. There are also the related canids— jackals, hyenas, wolves—making real and symbolic appearances. Dogs have always been with us, friends and foes in equal measure.