Tag: African tales

Folklore: The Hippo and His Seven Wives

I heard the Wind tell this story Storyteller: Ifochakpii! Audience: Waa!!! Storyteller: Gather my friends. It’s time to tell a story. It’s time also to hear a tale. Gather by the fireside, warm yourselves. Bring the little ones to the center. Keep them more hospitable for the night, and her cold hands are nigh. Sit… Continue reading Folklore: The Hippo and His Seven Wives

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Tradition: Storytelling

The African Storytelling Tradition When I, the storyteller, say: Ifochakpii! You, the audience, will reply, Waa!! (Pronounced as ‘War!’) This is the Igbo people’s storytelling tradition. There are different ways of introducing a story to the audience. To the Igbo people, it starts with a chant-like ranting that tries to capture all present attention. So… Continue reading Tradition: Storytelling

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The Traveling Musicians

Gather around the fire and read this story with me. It’s a long bedtime tale. An honest farmer had once a donkey that had been a faithful servant to him a great many years, but was now growing old and every day more and more unfit for work. His master therefore was tired of keeping… Continue reading The Traveling Musicians

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Diary of a Village Boy: The Leopard Spirit 8 (Stubborn Nene)

That morning before the early hunters left their homes for the forest, Papa was already on his way to Ndi-Ikele to welcome the priest, newly arrived from Trinidad and Tobago. It was breezy and cloudy that morning, it seemed it would rain any moment. Trees, especially the palm took to joyful procession when I stepped… Continue reading Diary of a Village Boy: The Leopard Spirit 8 (Stubborn Nene)

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Another Tale of the WildWoods

There’s a land behind those hills Hidden in the forest, One mighty foliage; of brushes & roots At all times, Cloud is blue And King of the Forest Do fall in love with it When the Cloud blush It rains softly; mildly And little creatures Which live in the land Look up to the smiling… Continue reading Another Tale of the WildWoods

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The Animal King

Do you know why there is no king in the animal kingdom? Here is a story narrating why. I wrote this poetale a longtime ago. Have fun. Once upon a time In a land far away, Across seven rivers And seven hills Lived a clan of animals They knew no strife No envy, no rivalry… Continue reading The Animal King

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African Folktale: the Crows and the Cuckoo

It is evening here and I feel like telling you a story. Bring your mat, come sit with me outside, by the fireside and let us enjoy the night breeze. Once upon a time there lived a set of Crows which plundered farms. Each day the farmers try to catch the Crows to no avail,… Continue reading African Folktale: the Crows and the Cuckoo

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African tales by Moonlight

Living in the countyside was fun. I can’t forget the numerous activities/events I participated in. I remember the rodent hunting, farm work, fruit catching, swimming in the streams, wrestling fights and the night tales. My favorite was the night tales which was something else. How I love to sit in the warmth of other kids,… Continue reading African tales by Moonlight

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Folklore: Let’s play under the Moon light

I.  Breezes of your presence come to me each evening, with mild rosy fragrance  The voice of the wind sing with you when you sang of the Nightingale and her lover  And now it is our tryst, one we waited upon, the one we craved when the sun was here II.  Now we make haste,… Continue reading Folklore: Let’s play under the Moon light

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Poetale: The Tortoise and The Dove

Before I tell this poetale let me describe the nature of the Tortoises character in African cultures. The tortoise is a reptile that lives on land. In African tales the tortoise is perceived as a cunny creature that finds a way to trick others. Now in Africa we sit beneath a trees shade listening and… Continue reading Poetale: The Tortoise and The Dove

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