Zarma Folktales of Niger


Book Description

Fiction. Folklore. African and African American Studies. Young Adult Fiction. Translated by Amanda Cushion. ZARMA FOLKTALES OF NIGER presents for the first time in English the folklore of the Zarma, a lesser-known tribe of West Africa. These tales run the gamut from teaching ethical and moral lessons to portraying tricksters to naming animals to farting contests to having fun. Humor and an emphasis on living justly bind the stories together. So far there have been few mentions of the Zarma people in Western texts, and no sign of their folklore, until now. While many English translations of African folklore exist already, they are mainly restricted to better-known cultures. ZARMA FOLKTALES OF NIGER captures the reality of the culture that created the tales, preserving what might otherwise have been lost from the oral tradition. Unlike similar collections of African folklore, ZARMA FOLKTALES OF NIGER provides the cultural and historical context necessary to truly appreciate and understand these tales. The introduction outlines Niger's history and describes the relationships of the Zarma to neighboring tribes, and the glossary explains common terms and expressions found in the stories. These tales will be of interest to children, general readers of folklore, and those interested in African culture, as well as to cultural anthropologists and ethnographers.




Hausa Folktales from Niger


Book Description

The storytellers employ reality and fantasy and they draw from a countless number of motifs and images to tell their stories.







Master Man


Book Description

A boastful strong man learns a lesson harder than his muscles when he encounters one of Nigeria's superheroes in this Hausa tale which explains the origin of thunder. Full-color illustrations.




Folk Tales from Nigeria


Book Description

Unveil the Timeless Magic of Nigeria’s Rich Folklore Step into a world where cunning tricksters outwit their foes, where the sun and moon once walked among us, and where spirits and animals teach lessons that resonate through time. Folk Tales from Nigeria: Timeless Tales of Trickery, Wisdom, and the Supernatural from African Folklore is a captivating collection of Nigeria's most cherished folk tales, brought together in a beautifully crafted volume that honors the vibrant storytelling traditions of Africa. In this first volume of Folk Tales from Nigeria, readers of all ages will be enchanted by the adventures of characters like the clever Tortoise who deceives the birds, the brave girl who marries a ghost, and the wise Crab who survives against all odds. These stories, steeped in the cultural richness of Nigeria, offer profound lessons and insights that have been passed down through generations. A Treasure Trove of African Wisdom More than just stories, these folk tales are the distilled essence of Nigerian culture, brimming with timeless knowledge and profound teachings. They are a pleasure to read, filled with universal themes of wisdom, trickery, and the supernatural. Perfect for readers of all ages, these tales serve as a bridge to understanding the values, beliefs, and traditions of Nigeria. At the heart of this collection is a mission to preserve the invaluable cultural inheritance that these stories represent. Folk tales are the foundation of human storytelling, offering a unique window into the soul of a culture. Understanding a culture is best done through the stories it tells, and in this volume, you’ll discover a rich tapestry of Nigerian tradition, ready to be cherished and passed down to future generations. A Must-Have for Any Library or Bookshelf We envision this collection as a treasure that any library or bookshelf can hold and pass on to future generations—so they too can be inspired by the teachings and wisdom of Nigeria’s ancestral stories. Whether you’re a lover of African folklore, a seeker of wisdom, or a parent wanting to introduce your children to the wonders of storytelling, this book is an essential addition to your collection. Key Features: Timeless African Folklore: Immerse yourself in the rich and diverse folklore of Nigeria, with stories that have been cherished and passed down through generations, capturing the essence of the country’s cultural heritage. Perfect for All Ages: With stories that are as entertaining as they are educational, this collection is suitable for readers young and old, offering something for everyone to enjoy. Cultural Insight: Gain a deeper understanding of Nigerian culture and values through interpretations and analyses of the folk tales that have shaped the nation’s identity and continue to influence its people today. Beautifully Crafted: Designed to be a timeless keepsake, this book is a treasure that will enhance any personal library or bookshelf, making it a valuable part of your literary collection. Folk Tales from Nigeria is more than just a book; it’s a journey into the heart of African culture, a celebration of the art of storytelling, and a preservation of a priceless cultural heritage. Add this volume to your collection today and become a part of the timeless tradition of folk tales that continue to inspire, educate, and connect us to the wisdom of our ancestors.




Hausa Tales and Traditions


Book Description




The Folktale


Book Description

As interest in folklore increases, the folktale acquires greater significance for students and teachers of literature. The material is massive and scattered; thus, few students or teachers have accessibility to other than small segments or singular tales or material they find buried in archives. Stith Thompson has divided his book into four sections which permit both the novice and the teacher to examine oral tradition and its manifestation in folklore. The introductory section discusses the nature and forms of the folktale. A comprehensive second part traces the folktale geographically from Ireland to India, giving culturally diverse examples of the forms presented in the first part. The examples are followed by the analysis of several themes in such tales from North American Indian cultures. The concluding section treats theories of the folktale, the collection and classification of folk narrative, and then analyzes the living folklore process. This work will appeal to students of the sociology of literature, professors of comparative literature, and general readers interested in folklore.




The Transmission of Kapsiki-Higi Folktales over Two Generations


Book Description

This study on Kapsiki-Higi tales compares two corpuses of stories collected over two generations. In this oral setting, folktales appear much more dynamic than usually assumed, depending on genre, performance and the memory characteristics of the tales themselves. In northeastern Nigeria the author collected these tales twice with a time gap of two generations, in order to assess the dynamics of this oral transmission. The comparison between the two corpuses shows that folktales are a much more dynamic cultural system than is usually thought. These dynamics affect some types of tales more than others, reflect social change and intergroup contact, but also depend on characteristics of the tales themselves. Cognitive approaches of memory shed light on these varieties of transmission, as do performance aspects in tale telling, in particular ideophones.




West African Folk Tales


Book Description

Collection of traditional folk tales introduces a host of interesting people and unusual animals — among them "The Cricket and the Toad," "The Tortoise and His Broken Shell," and "The Boy in the Drum."