Storytelling around the Globe

CONTENTS OF CURRICULUM UNIT 09.01.08

  1. Unit Guide
  1. Introduction
  2. Rationale
  3. Objectives
  4. African Storytelling
  5. The Role of the African Storyteller
  6. Animal Trickster Tales
  7. Animal Tricksters
  8. Strategies
  9. Classroom Activities
  10. Appendix A: Implementing District Standards
  11. Annotated Teacher Bibliography
  12. Annotated Student Bibliography
  13. Filmography
  14. Notes

Keeping the Tradition of African Storytelling Alive

Octavia L. Utley

Published September 2009

Tools for this Unit:

Annotated Teacher Bibliography

Asihene, Emmanuel. Traditional Folk-Tales of Ghanaa. New York: Edwin Mellen Press, 1997. This book contains traditional folktales and Ananse stories that originated in Ghana.

Berry, Jack. West African Folktales. Illinois: Northwestern University Press, 1991. The author incorporates an assortment of moralizing tales, trickster tales, how/why tales, and tales that teach in this book.

Courlander, Harold. A Treasury of African Folklore. New York: Marlowe and Company, 1996. This book encloses an extensive collection of traditions, myths, legends, epics, tales and recollections from eminent regions of Africa.

Dada, Olubandele. West African Folktales. Philadelphia: Dorrance and Company, 1970. This book contains twenty-six traditional folktales from various West African countries..

Lott, Joanna. "Keepers of History." Research Penn State. http://www.rps.psu.edu/0205/keepers.html. This website explores the history, customs, and roles of the Griots and Griottes.

Matateyou, Emmanuel. An Anthology of Myths, Legends and Folktales. New York: Edwin Mellen Press, 1997. This book discusses the varied customs of the people of Cameroon by focusing on folklore.

Niane, D. T. Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali. Hong Kong: Longman Group, 1989. This epic tale discusses the role of the Griot, Balla Fasseke, who advised Sundiata during his reign as Emperor of Mali.

Owomoyela, Oyekan. Yoruba Trickster Tales. Lincoln and London: University of Nebraska Press, 1997. A collection of twenty-three tales exploring different aspects of Ajapa, the turtle, is included in this book..

Tembo, Mwizenge. Legends of Africa. New York: Michael Friedman Publishing Group, 1996. An introduction to African myths, folktales, and legends is enfolded in this book.

Comments:

Regina James

October 21, 2009 at 2:54 pm

Keeping the Tradition of African Storytelling Alive

I really like this unit. The students will be able to recall and retell African folktales. They will keep the tradition of African storytelling alive in the classroom.

C Mae Roberson

April 17, 2011 at 9:19 am

story telling

Thank you for this outline of how to present and what to look for while presenting tales that help children and adults alike recognize their global likenesses and greatness. All races can see the cultures we all share. What I would like to see more of are comparisons of the various exchanges .... I will try to connect with you once I complete reading the unit.....

Prosper Moyo

April 4, 2017 at 10:23 am

DEGREE OF FORMALITY

THE PRESENTATION IS VERY GOOD TO AN EXTENT THAT IT EVEN SHOWED ME THE FORMALITY OF STORY TELLING AND THE AUDIENCE

Cornelius Wambi Gulere

August 21, 2017 at 9:10 am

Riddling

I am happy with your course and would encourage you to look out for works in Lusoga under my names to expand your area of coverage.

Sandra L Coleman

January 11, 2018 at 1:25 am

I came across this information while doing research for my thesis

I came across this information while doing research for my thesis. This is very interesting and I am thankful to see that African traditions are being explored and taught. I pray that this type of curriculum can continue and we can appreciate our own heritage, history and culture.

Mariana Perez Perez

March 10, 2018 at 9:06 am

YEAR PROJECT

I am really glad to have found this material. This year's project for students who are going to sit for IGCSE is on the theme \\"IDENTITY\\" and \\"GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES\\" for which I have planned two main objectives: SELF-AWARENESS AND OTHERNESS. One of the units will be African storytelling and the book to be read will be \\"Nervous Conditions\\" by Tsitsi Dangarembga and at least two stories from the suggested student bibliography. As we are located in Argentina I am trying to contact someone who would like to share a skype interview with my students in regard to this topic. I am eager to expand on this subject if the opportunity arises. Mariana

Emmanuel Chukwunenye Obiakor

October 15, 2018 at 7:39 am

African Cultures

I am a freelance documentary photography based in lagos, Nigeria. I find it awesome to the level of African culture which i also learnt from while reading through the page. it is very interesting to know that our culture is taught in your institution. I would love to support the work of your institution by providing more African Cultural documented stories that will increase the resource with which you teach your students. Please reach me on emmanuel.obiakor.photography@gmail.com. Thank you

Maria Teresa Marichal

January 27, 2019 at 2:39 pm

Love this unit

I really love this unit. I am a storyteller and it is important to understand the history or the stories and storytelling. My students will be able to understand better the African folktales. We have a lot of African stories in our country, but we have to learn a lot. I am thankful to see that African traditions are being explored and taught.

John Hartley Fleming

May 20, 2021 at 5:53 pm

Recruiting story tellers as hosts in the African Great Lakes

With your permission, I have lifted some of your narrative for my business plan - I have referenced it: As background; we are building cruise ships to range upon the African Great Lakes in support of TRUE expeditionary safaris in the boutique luxury market. Linking the mountain gorillas of Rwanda with the Serengeti by way of Lake Victoria - as an example. A very ambitious project. Be happy to explore the hosting potential of a locally recruited storyteller as a sustainable commercial, though cultural experience, to enhance the visitor's experience. We will need to recruit for at least 30 locations. see (Google): KIVU QUEEN by MANTIS - this is the first, though smallest, of our 17 ships for deployment on 7 lakes in 7 countries in the next 5 years. We wish to embrace the essence of the 1985 movie, Out of Africa, which we credit as the very reason the African Safari industry exploded in popularity and commercial value. Visitors most often quote this movie as the experience into which they aspire to be immersed. Be good to share further, but simply a comment and appreciation for your interesting posting on this site.

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