African folktales still influence modern thought

AFRICA, AFRICA COUNTRIES, ANTHROPOLOGY, CULTURE, EDUCATION

Jul 032009

Tales with a moral

African Folktales Still Influence Modern Thought byVan G. Garrett looks at the way that African folktales teach lessons about life, including moral issues which keeps them relevant to today and to all ages.

African folktales are studied, recited, and reinvented ethnographic documents that offer a plethora of information, which supplies moral, cultural, global, and historical perspectives about life. These parables, widespread across the pallets of America, are likened to tales and morals contained in every holy book, with regards to the manner in which vivid illustrations incorporate people and animals to comment on life and its bitter and sweet moments.
These commentaries, which can be narrated by a spider, donkey, frog, snake, dog, monster, human, or another being is instrumental in conveying elaborate plots and scenarios. However, most African folktales usually incorporate two central characters, a protagonist and antagonist, to present a broad commentary about life.
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