Publisher's Synopsis
Folktales of South Africa contains 13 ancient folktales from heart of South Africa.
South African folk tales serve to unite communities, and preserve societal ties and ideologies. In this way, they are fluid and never static.Oral storytelling in the culture is a pathway to pride, to identity and to groundedness in a country that fears losing its roots to Western influence. As stories began to fade from the firelight, author and playwright, Sanni Metelerkamp, wrote down the popular tales every child in the region knew, so they could be preserved for future generations. Andrew Lang and The Brothers Grimm have contributed collections of South African fairy tales to their books as well, but on the whole, South African folk tales remain an important and primarily oral tradition to this day.
South African folk tales reflect the realities, often harsh, of the African landscape. Tales are rooted in nature elements and the animal kingdom. At the heart of the folklore is the necessity to communicate the need for generosity and cooperation between people. To impart the values of a community, was the main purpose of storytelling as it drew people together and strengthened bonds.
These stories for children reflect common and worldwide indigenous themes of creation and origin myths, tales of death and regeneration, and the connection between the spiritual and physical world.
You will read about:
- Why Old Baboon has that Kink in his Tail
- Old Jackal and Young Baboon
- Why Old Jackal Danced the War-Dance
- How Old Jackal got the Pigs
- When Ou' Wolf built his House
- Ou' Wolf lays a Trap
- Ou' Jackalse takes Ou' Wolf a-Sheep Stealing
- When the Birds would choose a King which tells also why the white owl only flies by night
- Why Old Jackal slinks his Tail
- Why Little Hare has such a Short Tail
- The Bargain for the Little Silver Fishes
- Why the Tortoise has no Hair on
- Why the Ratel is so Keen on Honey
This folktales will be a guide to beautiful culture and traditions of South Africa♥
