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The
Magical Charms of Africa
| Curriculum Area: | Language Arts, Reading |
| Materials: | Paper bags, construction paper, glue, scissors, map of Africa, and the book, The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales by Virginia Hamilton |
| Activity: | Using folktales as a form of oral tradition |
Procedure:
1. The teacher will explain the meaning of a folktale (an oral story that has been passed down from generation to generation and in some cases recorded in written form) and explain that folktales are the most common form of oral literature in Africa. In ancient Africa storytellers told stories that helped to explain the mysteries of the world and how people should behave.
2. The teacher will read the folktale, "Wiley, His Mama, and the Hairy Man" from The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales.
3. After reading this folktale, discuss the mystery that is presented. In this exaggerated reality tale, facts are altered through the use of magic powers and charms, and the weak triumph over the strong. The weak are wise and have the added benefit of "conjuration."
4. As a final activity students will work in groups of three to answer the following:
(a) Title of folktale
(b) Setting
(c) Time
(d) Main character and characteristics
(e) Other characters and characteristics
(f) Main plot events
(g) Ending
h) Moral
This activity will culminate with students writing their own folktales.
Alternatively:
1. The teacher will
(a) Read folktales to students
(b) Discuss mystery described in the folktale
2. The students will
(a) Prepare puppets, using paper bags, depicting the characters in the folktale
(b) Recreate folktales using puppets they have prepared