In the twentieth century, as the selections in the book reflect, african american folktales became increasingly politically pointed and were adapted to the rhythms and. These books blend together a rich combination of history, fable, and illustrations that engage and teach children the importance of americas. African american folklore and folkways adapted from essays by edward pavlic, university of wisconsin the african american folk tradition, like any folk tradition, is by nature communal, the creation and expression of a group rather than an individual. The story of john henry is told in a classic folk song, which exists in many versions, and has been the subject of. African american culture has a rich tradition of folktales. The reading and studying of african and africanamerican folktales will help students. Having an aspect of genealogy in folklore makes african american history not only traceable but more approachable. You can use this resource as a supplemental worksheet when studying african culture, such as during black history month february and for kwanzaa december 26. Chronologies of american history and experience dictionary. I grew up admiring the covers of their books and the words within. The annotated african american folktales the annotated books. Background information distribute an article that details the various types of african folk tales and gives examples of them. Nov 10, 2017 browsing through a weighty new anthology called the annotated african american folk tales is a journey across space and time. Dec 14, 2017 like the history of america, the history of folklore is messy and complicated.
In the stories, animals often have human characteristics, for instance. According to legend, john henry beat the engine, but died shortly afterward. Language and literature in the african american imagination this is an original volume of critical and theoretical essays that seek to interpret the current philosophical, aesthetic, and literary thinking about african american literature and language. This exciting collection of traditional african folk tales introduces you to a host of interesting people and unusual animals. Storytelling leads children to books, and reading and listening to folktales will lay. The picture book by virginia hamilton, black cloth by bernard binlin dadi. Drawing from the great folklorists of the past while expanding african american lore with dozens of tales rarely seen before, the annotated african american folktales revolutionizes the canon like no other volume. It includes hamiltons original historical note, plus previously. The comments that accompany the stories, explaining their history, colloquial language, and imagery, are as fascinating as the. I was quite happy that i was able to include a diverse range of american folktales on this list. Jul 20, 2018 the ballads of john henry, an african american man born in the reconstruction era, portray him as a burly railroad worker with immense strength who valiantly competed with a steam engine to cut a railroad tunnel in the side of a mountain.
When slaves arrived in the new world from africa in the 1700s and 1800s, they brought with them a vast oral tradition. In one chapter called defiance and desire, theres a section devoted. Through their folk traditions, communities maintain connections with the past as they change over time, in this way making ancestral wisdom and practices available in the present. See more ideas about african, books and good books. Includes the magic crocodile, a whimsical tale of a reptile with strange powers, and the hare and the crownbird, the story of a feathered friends reward. West african folk tales 6 looking tree, he began to climb.
African american folktale african american cultural. Stories from black traditions in the new world the pantheon fairy tale and folklore library. Using african and africanamerican folktales in a genre study. African folktales for kids i have a penchant for pourquoi tales from all cultures and this list reflects that interest. At the heart of the folklore is the necessity to communicate the need for generosity and cooperation between people. Black history preserved in african folk tales how to learn. In fact, i was surprised to find such a wide range of picture books.
The annotated african american folktales, which came out in. His stories also arise in the caribbean, south america and north america among african diaspora populations. In the late 19th century and early 20th century, african americans debated whether these folk tales were worth. West african folktales 6 looking tree, he began to climb. One of the best ways to teach our children about other cultures is through books, and in honor of black history month, i have. Annotated african american folktales reclaims stories. American black folktales by virginia hamiltonthe people. If there is a book version with regards and respect toward africanamerican. The heavy pot, hanging in front of him, made hi s ascent almost impossible. The theme of freedom prevails in these 24 african american folktales, most of which came to this country on a slave boat out of africa. Eighteen authentic fables, recorded as they were told by tribal members of nigerian and other cultures, range from the imaginative story of a farmer and four hyenas to an entertaining account of the man with seven dogs. Africanamerican folktales are the storytelling and oral history of african american slaves during the 17001900s. In one chapter called defiance and desire, theres a. Black animal tales contain both the universal aspects of the animal tale genre and certain characteristic aspects that mark them as the product of the black american folk experience.
Its nice to have a beautiful book that covers a wide range of historical topics and is entirely appropriate for elementary school children. This book by anne rockwell is a collection of ten, wellloved folk tales. There, he thought, wisdom would indeed be beyond the reach of every one but himself. List of books and articles about africanamerican folklore. Some of the stories include favorites like, the tortoise and the hare, the fox and the crow, and the bremen town musicians. American folktales in the postcolonial age often draw from the tellers european ancestry. Each tale begins with an introductory headnote, and the book. The significance of these folktales to african american culture continues to resonate within the present. Included are nearly 50 tales grouped in thematic chapters on origins. The author of 35 books and plays and numerous scholarly articles, courlander specialized in the study of african, caribbean, afroamerican, and native american cultures. Like the history of america, the history of folklore is messy and complicated. Source for information on african american folklore and folkways. From their origins in oral traditions, stories have been the vehicles for. African tristan strong punches a hole in the sky tristan strong 1 oct 15, 2019.
Through their folk traditions, communities maintain connections with the past as they change over time, in this way making ancestral wisdom. Aug 11, 2016 picture books of african folktales and legends. Creole, africanamerican, american southwest, pioneer tales and more. Browsing through a weighty new anthology called the annotated african american folk tales is a journey across space and time. On this vast continent, folk tales and myths serve as a means of handing down traditions and customs from one generation to the next. Description after reading and analyzing the commonalities between different abstract of lesson. These nearly 150 african american folktales animate our past and reclaim a lost cultural legacy to redefine american literature. Students learning about literature and language will gain a greater understanding of african american oral traditions, while students of history will learn more about african american culture. Fables for kids, african american history month, trade books, award winning books, tall tales, cycle 3, 16 year old, childrens literature, book lists. There is a rich, fertile legacy of folklore from africa. Each story tells of a loss of family, beliefs, customs, and language but also celebrates the rich heritage and spirit that continues despite these losses.
Animals are prominent in african folk tales, especially the monkey, elephant, lion, and giraffe, though other animals have their part as well. In africanamerican folklore, there exists a principle that good things can be wrought through evil or evilseeming deeds. The oral history of african american women has been passed on for centuries through spoken word, spirituals and lullabies, autobiographical musings, and nighttime tales, and hamilton has collected the best of these. Following in the tradition of such classics as arthur huff fausets negro folk tales from the south 1927, zora neale hurstons mules and men 1935, and virginia. A folktale also spelled folk tale is a story or legend forming part of an oral tradition. Heath anthology of american literatureafrican american. Harold courlander september 18, 1908 march 15, 1996 was an american novelist, folklorist, and anthropologist and an expert in the study of haitian life. Using african and african american folktales in a genre study by rita sorrentino overview. Noted for its lovely watercolor illustrations, the book was an american library association notable book in 1980. Storytelling is an important tradition in african american folklore. African folktales the pantheon fairy tale and folklore library book 5. The annotated african american folktales by henry louis. On the complicated history of joel chandler harris uncle remus stories. Select two or more african andor african american folktales.
Myths, legends, and folklore of africanamericans 96 books. From their origins in oral traditions, stories have been the vehicles for transmitting culture, preserving memories and making sense of the world. Rich anthology of stories, songs, and oral history from the algonquianspeaking native american tribes. This is a great lesson plan to use during black history month and when studying africanamerican history. Aug 10, 2016 the triad that was hamilton and the dillons is prolific in african american childrens fiction. Books on africanafrican american folktales, supplementary videos i. Abrahams is the hum rosen professor emeritus of folklore and folklife at the university of pennsylvania and the author of many books, monographs, and articles on african american, creole, caribbean, and american culture. Selected books on africanafrican american folktales librarymedia center resources. This is a great lesson plan to use during black history month and when studying african american history. As a melting pot of cultures, our national literature comes from all over the world. There is a dualism of good and bad, man and woman, white and black. South african folk tales reflect the realities, often harsh, of the african landscape. African american folktales, fairy tales, and true tales. Folktales speak to universal and timeless themes, and help folks make sense of their existence or cope.
It includes african, african american, and creole folk tales and fairy tales, along with a few nonfiction bios, all focused on female protagonists. In the late 19th century and early 20th century, africanamericans debated whether these folk tales were worth. Folktales are generally passed down from one generation to another and often take on the characteristics of the time and place in which they are told. He is said to have worked as a steeldriving mana man tasked with hammering a steel drill into rock to make holes for explosives to blast the rock in constructing a railroad tunnel. Written for students and general readers, this volume gathers a sampling of the most important african american folktales. This is how the africanamerican expression bad came to signify something positive. The last half of the book takes a more scholarly turn, considering the work of. From two scholars, africanamerican folk tales for the next.
Folk poetry can also be mentioned in this unit because of its importance in storytelling and its relationship to folktales. The stories and tall tales for kids books i chose for this list are colonial or postcolonial american folktales. Get the most out of reading african folk tales by using these worksheets. Africanamerican folklore is a communitybased tradition which expresses the common knowledge, culture and feelings of a group rather than those of any one individual. For african americans, many of the characteristics of anansi are also found in the brer rabbit trickster character whose great. Two years after a rich collection of africanamerican folk stories gathered in the 1920s and 30s by the writer zora neale hurston was discovered in the photo files of the smithsonian institution, it remains unpublished. Entertaining collection of 18 stories handed down from generation to generation among african tribal cultures. African american folktale, storytelling tradition that evolved among enslaved african americans in the 18th and 19th centuries. The african folk tales from bambara of mali speak of an antelope that taught them how to. A 100 year old woman narrates this epic tale africanamerican history as though she is remembering the tales her ancestors told her. Collection of stories about the wabanaki culture hero glooskap, told by a mikmaq author and illustrator. But, the dark court of unseelie faeries will do everything in their power to rule the earth, including enslaving the. Dusable museum of african american history added it aug 17, 2010. Maria brought an impressive unique knowledge of the history of folk tales, mr.
The wellknown author retells 24 black american folk tales in sure storytelling voice. How african american folklore saved the cultural memory. Abrahams 19332017 was the hum rosen professor of folklore and folklife at the university of pennsylvania, president of the american folklore society, and the author of many books, monographs, and articles on african american, creole, caribbean, and american culture. What the published record does show is that, while african american folk narrative comes out of slavery, it is not an artifact of the slave period but a living tradition. Tales are rooted in nature elements and the animal kingdom. One of the best ways to teach our children about other cultures is through books, and in honor of black history month. Folk tales of the slave quarters in order to survive the harsh dictates of slavery, slaves utilized folktales within their slave quarters garner, 1984. Brightly illustrated and perfect for new readers, way up and over everything is a picture book that tells a story of slavery and a wish for freedom through flight. The annotated african american folktales the annotated books kindle. Jan 01, 1995 her stories is a book of lovely stories and illustrations. An end note explores the history of flying in africanamerican folklore. African american folklore is a communitybased tradition which expresses the common knowledge, culture and feelings of a group rather than those of any one individual.
Anansi, the trickster spider, is one of the most important characters in west african folktales and folklore. Annotated african american folktales reclaims stories passed npr. The collection of folktales from africa consists of four books with 88 stories. A past president of the american folklore society, he lives in. List of books and articles about african folklore online. African and african american folktales 129 books goodreads.
Johnny appleseed folk tale time a cool school folk tale duration. Each tale is introduced by a brief headnote, and the volume closes with a selected, general bibliography. The people could fly is a treasury of black folktales retold by the national book award and newbery medal winning hamilton. Shade rules as queen of the seelie summer court with her love, a teleen faerie named dylan at her side. Again and again he tried to reach the top of the tree, where he intended to hang the pot. Stories from black traditions in the new world the pantheon fairy tale and folklore library abrahams, roger on. From two scholars, africanamerican folk tales for the. Folk tales and traditions connect the community to the past while it evolves with the changing times. As noted in the compelling introduction by the compiler, the tales are the product of the africanamerican slave experience, superimposed onto the ancient subsaharan oral and cultural as i seem to be on folklore kick lately having read the pink and blue fairy books by andrew lang, l couldnt pass it up. I encourage you to talk with your kids about the differences and the similarities of between these folk tales and western legends, myths and creation stories. Folktales african folktales the man who never lied at world of tales stories for children from around the world. Narrative of the life of frederick douglass frederick douglass.