TALES FROM AFRICA
Folk tales and myths serve as a means of handing down
traditions and customs from one generation to the next
in Africa. For several generations, stories from Africa
have traditionally been passed down by word of mouth.
Often, after a hard day’s work, the adults would gather
the children together by moonlight, around a village
fire and tell stories. This is traditionally called Tales by
Moonlight. Usually the stories are meant to prepare
young people for life, and so taught a lesson or moral.
In the African folk tales, the stories reflect the culture
where diverse types of animals abound. The animals
and birds are often accorded human attributes, so it is
not uncommon to find animals talking, singing or
demonstrating other human characteristics such as
greed, jealousy, honesty etc.
The setting in many of the stories exposes the reader
to landform and climate in Africa. References are often
made to different seasons such as dry or rainy season
and their effect on vegetation.
One Good Meal Deserves Another
A Tale from West Africa
Anansi the Spider hated to share! When Turtle came to his house at
mealtime, he said, "I can't give you food until you've washed your
dusty feet!"
Turtle licked his lips when he saw the big plate of steaming food, but
politely walked to the stream to wash. When he returned, the plate
was empty. "Good meal," Anansi said, patting his full stomach.
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