The Dancing Palm Tree: And Other Nigerian Folktales

by Barbara K. Walker, Helen Siegl (Illustrations)

Imagine yourself for a moment in Western Nigeria on a moonlit evening. The day's work has been done, and friends and neighbors have gathered. Suddenly one among the group turns to an older man sitting at the edge of the piazza. "Tell us a story," he begs. And he knows what he is asking. Many in the group can tell stories and very well indeed, for storytelling has been a tradition in Nigeria for hundreds of years. The old man rises and usually begins, "Far away and long ago in a small village…" Somewhat in each story there is likely to be a moral, a human truth that is taught through what happens in the story, for an important purpose of storytelling in Nigeria has always been to teach as well as to entertain. But you will find that the truths taught in these stories prevail not only in Nigeria but all over the world, truths that people must learn to live by, no matter what country they call home. Earlier versions of these eleven tales were told to Barbara K. Walker by Olawale Idewu, a Nigerian student in a midwestern American college who was lonesome for his homeland and its culture and who was willing to share some of the tales from that culture. Now, young Americans can enjoy a sampling of the tales still told on moonlit evenings in Nigeria.

112 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1968

Reviews

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always loved folktales. Walker compiles some of the best collections for children, and this one is no exception. She heard these tales from a Nigerian college student, and when you read them you feel as if you're part of a gathering around a traditional teller. I like that each story contains a moral or lesson for the listener. The glossary at the end provides interesting descriptions of Yoruba daily life and customs, and add a bit more understanding to the tales. Helen Siegl's woodcut illustrations are a perfect accompaniment, black silhouettes against a light brown background, with lots of traditional Yoruba art motifs. Recommended for a nice read-aloud for story time, or for those who enjoy folktales like I do.

[Tito Quiling, Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed going through the folk stories, and given its timeless appeal, I find how some elements are similar with other tales across continents--inquisitive children, wizened adults, inanimate objects coming to life, and animals as companions. More than these components, the forest as a setting reinforces the magical quality of the environment, which reminds us that mankind has not been able to uncover every nook of this planet.