Ch.+4+Storytelling,+folktales,+the+oral+tradition+-+Julie

=Storytelling, Folktales, The Oral Tradition =

African stories are told in the shade of a tree around a village campfire. Poems, Storys, Songs, and Religious customs are woven together by the spoken word.

In Africa, Literature is mostly the phenomena of the 20th century. Traditional oral poetry and folklore dates back to the early civilization. The artform of storytelling that is transmitted through music and dance is known as Onitsha (Market) Orature. This is because the market is where most folktales, fabels, and epics were sung. The performers of Orature are called Griots (masters of words and music).


 * Griot: **

(Historians working in the early colonial period used Griots for research. They mixed oral traditions with their own investigations) The griot is a repository of oral tradition of the Mandingue Empire of West Africa. Fanta is a griot, but also a rice seller on the streets of Conakry. She dreams of recording an album" media type="custom" key="7452721" align="center" ||
 * West African storyteller, singer, musician, and oral historians
 * keep unwritten record of births, marraiges, deaths passed down generations
 * Highly respected
 * "Fanta Diabaté is a griot whose role is to deliver history as a poet, praise singer and wandering musician.

Storytellings main functions include: "to entertain, record the history of the people or group the story belongs to, teach principles of life and morality, provide them with some explanation of their origin, provide patterns for problem solving, and give a sense of identity to the people."

African folktales satisfy their curiositys by giving explanations about the worlds mysteries. -Because animals are so often a part of Africans daily thoughts, animals are often integrated into their storys.

The most popular animals include the snake, the spider (Anansi), the antelope, and the chamelean. the people)
 * Snake symbolizes imortallity because it sheds its skin but still lives.
 * Spider is portrayed as cunning and capable of overcoming any plot. -Trixter
 * Antelope symbolizes the power and elusiveness of the spirits.
 * lizard brings death to the world (because of its slow walk, it was to late in bringing the message of the Great One to



**A Tale from West Africa **
Foolish Anansi thought he could trick a fisherman into doing his work for him. "Let's go fishing," he suggested. "Very well," said the fisherman, who was clever and quite wise to Anansi's tricks. "I'll make the nets and you can get tired for me." "Wait," said Anansi, "I'll make the nets and you can get tired for me!" Anansi made nets as his friend pretended to be tired. They caught four fish. The fisherman said, "Anansi, you take these. I'll take tomorrow's catch. It might be bigger." Greedily imagining the next day's catch, Anansi said, "No, you take these and I'll take tomorrow's fish." But the next day, the nets were rotting away and no fish were caught. The fisherman said, "Anansi, take these rotten nets to market. You can sell them for much money." When Anansi shouted, "Rotten nets for sale!" in the marketplace, people beat him with sticks. "Some partner you are," Anansi said to the fisherman as he rubbed his bruises. "I took the beatings. At least you could have taken the pain." Anansi never tried to trick the fisherman again!


 * See More Folktales:** []


 * Sources: **
 * "African Folktales." //CCS Webpages//. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Nov. 2010. .
 * "African Storytelling." //Upload & Share PowerPoint presentations and documents//. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Nov. 2010. [].
 * "African and African-American culture and traditions - African Storytelling and Mythology." //Art Education Home Page//. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Nov. 2010. [].
 * Buvala, Sean. "Four Traits of African Storytelling." //EzineArticles Submission - Submit Your Best Quality Original Articles For Massive Exposure, Ezine Publishers Get 25 Free Article Reprints//. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Nov. 2010. [].
 * "The Story of Anansi." //Welcome to Anansi-Web.com//. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Nov. 2010. [].
 * Thornton, John. "Origin traditions and history in Central Africa." //find articles//. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Nov. 2010. .
 * Javed, Syed. "Oral Tradition of African Literature." //Suite101.com: Online Magazine and Writers' Network//. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Nov. 2010. .