African American Folktales: Keeping The Culture Alive
Image from the October 2018 article: How African American folklore saved the cultural memory and history of slaves
Image from the October 2018 article: How African American folklore saved the cultural memory and history of slaves
Jennifer dos Reis dos Santos, Aberystwyth University
African American Folktales
African American Folktales are the oral histories of enslaved African Americans from the 1700s to the 1900s. These tales convey wisdom, spiritual teachings, and cultural knowledge to the African American community. The stories are important because they reveal life lessons that can be applied in everyday life. They also provide a glimpse into the life and struggles of enslaved people throughout history. The stories tell of their lives as slaves, their family, and their community. Most important, they have passed down the stories, that have kept the culture alive.
Tales of Origin
In African American Folktales, beginnings and transformations are at the center of the stories. This is the reason why stories like "Jackal's Song" and "Turtle's Shell" are so important to our culture. These stories explain why jackals are so solitary, and why turtles have shells. Other stories include tricksters, which are amoral characters who take advantage of others' weakness to achieve their ends.
In Africa, the oral tradition played an important role in the survival of African folktales. This tradition, which is common to many cultures around the world, involves telling stories to preserve cultural traditions. The storytellers use a unique language and perform the stories in front of a group of people at a specific place and time. These stories often contain cultural lessons, such as the importance of honesty and generosity.
Tales of Trickery
"Tales of trickery" are common themes in African American folktales. Often times these tales are satirical and play on the common human condition, but these are not simple morality plays. They are often defiant representations of an oppressed group, and they serve as an expression of the changing needs of African American communities. A famous example of this is the story of Br'er Rabbit, who showed that it was necessary for slaves to resist the system mentally.
The trickster character also appears in myths and legends throughout Africa. It is part of the cultural heritage of Africans and is considered a symbol of the harsh living conditions that millions of Africans faced. Trickster stories often depict a trickster character who is a deity or a human with human characteristics. Some trickster stories depict deities or humans who are reincarnated tricksters. Throughout the centuries, tricksters have been infused with Native American and European cultures and have become an integral part of many African stories.
Teaching Life Lessons
Teaching life lessons through African American folktales can help children and adults understand their own history and culture. These tales were often written by African people in the Americas, and they often involve animals with human characteristics. They are also a great way to teach about history and culture, especially to students who are learning about the ancestry of black people. Moreover, they can be a great way to celebrate Black History Month or educate others about the history of African-American people.
African American folktales are also filled with stories about ghosts, spirits, and possessed beings. Some tales have a spiritual theme and are a good way to introduce children to different cultures. Stories like "Possessed of Two Spirits" tell about a young woman who is able to conjure magic and entertain white people. Likewise, "Married to a Boar Hog" tells of a young woman who marries a supernatural being. These stories are passed down by African-Americans from their time as British Caribbean slaves.
The Power of Mother Wit
A key element in the tales is the role of Mother Wit. The enslaved blacks often rely on Mother Wit to survive and thrive. The "John and Old Master" cycle of folk tales depicts the relationship between blacks and the Old Master. The stories focus on the contest between the enslaved blacks and the Old Master. This contest favors the weak yet witty over the strong and intelligent.
This figure is found in many different types of folktales. Most African American folktales feature trickster figures, which are characters that use their wits to get out of trouble or bring about a certain result. An example of an African American trickster figure is the Brer Rabbit, who fools the Brer Fox by pretending that the reflection of the moon is a block of cheese. Brer Fox is later descended into a well to save himself.
Laughable Tales for Keeping Hope Alive
Laughable African American folk tales are a great way to combat depression, stay positive, and help people cope with current events. These stories tell us that it's never too late to start a new chapter, even if the world is going to hell. In this collection of essays, writer Scaachi Koul uses the wisdom of her people to explore tough subjects, such as gender roles and online abuse. Despite this, the author manages to make us laugh.
Next Article: Famous African American Plays
If you're looking for a play to see, you're in luck. There are a number of well-known plays by African American authors. Some of them have even won Pulitzer Prizes, including "American Buffalo," which won the prize for drama. While the play begins as a domestic sitcom reminiscent of "The Cosby Show," it quickly evolves into a powerful examination of the African-American experience and the white gaze.
Ntozake Shange - The first play by the playwright was the most successful. Since then, she has continued to weave black themes into her work, often with feminist overtones. Her plays include "From Okra to Greens," "Afropolitan," and "Savannahland." Find out more about African American plays in my next article.
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