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Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales
Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales
In these beloved stories we meet a Kenyan lion named Simba, a snake with seven heads, and tricksters from Zulu folklore; we hear the voices of the scheming hyena, and we learn from a Khoi fable how animals acquired their tails and horns. Creation myths tell us how the land, its animals, and its people all came into existence under a punishing sun or against the backdrop of a spectacularly beautiful mountain landscape. Whether warning children about the dangers of disobedience or demonstrating that the underdog can, and often does, win, these stories, through their depiction of wise animals as well as evil monsters, are universal in their portrayal of humanity, beasts, and the mystical. Translated from their original languages—Karanga, Nguni, Xhosa, and many others—these folktales are a testament to the craft of storytelling and the power of myth.
144 pages, Hardcover
First published November 18, 2002
104 people are currently reading
2479 people want to read
About the author
Nelson Mandela
255 books2,295 followersNelson Rolihlahla Mandela was a former President of South Africa, the first to be elected in a fully representative democratic election, who held office from 1994–99.
Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of the African National Congress's armed wing Umkhonto we Sizwe. The South African courts convicted him on charges of sabotage, as well as other crimes committed while he led the movement against apartheid. In accordance with his conviction, Mandela served 27 years in prison, spending many of these years on Robben Island.
In South Africa he is often known as Madiba, an honorary title adopted by elders of Mandela's clan. The title has come to be synonymous with Nelson Mandela.
Following his release from prison on 11 February 1990, Mandela supported reconciliation and negotiation, and helped lead the transition towards multi-racial democracy in South Africa. Since the end of apartheid, many have frequently praised Mandela, including former opponents. Mandela has received more than one hundred awards over four decades, most notably the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/nelson...
Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of the African National Congress's armed wing Umkhonto we Sizwe. The South African courts convicted him on charges of sabotage, as well as other crimes committed while he led the movement against apartheid. In accordance with his conviction, Mandela served 27 years in prison, spending many of these years on Robben Island.
In South Africa he is often known as Madiba, an honorary title adopted by elders of Mandela's clan. The title has come to be synonymous with Nelson Mandela.
Following his release from prison on 11 February 1990, Mandela supported reconciliation and negotiation, and helped lead the transition towards multi-racial democracy in South Africa. Since the end of apartheid, many have frequently praised Mandela, including former opponents. Mandela has received more than one hundred awards over four decades, most notably the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/nelson...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 228 reviews
March 28, 2018
What a truly wonderful audiobook! Honestly, I can only echo the views of previous reviewers and say that this REALLY needs to be listened to.
With its huge array of excellent, big-name actors reading these tales combined with the sumptuous musical interludes, it would be a real shame not to give this audiobook a go. I loved every minute of it.
With its huge array of excellent, big-name actors reading these tales combined with the sumptuous musical interludes, it would be a real shame not to give this audiobook a go. I loved every minute of it.
April 20, 2019
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My library had the hardcover, but based on another review, I really wish they had the Audiobook!
Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales
by Nelson Mandela (Compilation), LeVar Burton (Narrator), Samuel L. Jackson (Narrator), Matt Damon (Narrator), Whoopi Goldberg (Narrator), Alfre Woodard (Collaborator), Alan Rickman (Narrator), Charlize Theron (Narrator) , Benjamin Bratt (Narrator), Archbishop Tutu (Introduction), Desmond Tutu (Reading)
Paul E. Morph's review Mar 27, 2018
it was amazing * * * * *
bookshelves: books-read-in-2018
What a truly wonderful audiobook! Honestly, I can only echo the views of previous reviewers and say that this REALLY needs to be listened to.
With its huge array of excellent, big-name actors reading these tales combined with the sumptuous musical interludes, it would be a real shame not to give this audiobook a go. I loved every minute of it.
December 22, 2014
Do not read this, listen to it.
Besides the veritable buffet of Hollywood A-listers from various ethnic backgrounds providing narrations, there's beautiful music and songs in the interludes between stories and in the stories themselves. I've derived much enjoyment from the imaginative and enthusiastic performances from the narrators, most of whom possess great skills with accents. Even if you don't recognise a couple of the narrators' names, odds are you'd recognise their faces.
Whoopi Goldberg and Hugh Jackman's performances were outstanding though most were above average.
Urban legends, origin stories, fables, parables, myths, magic, time travel, African versions of well-known fairy tales, clever and devious characters, and emotionally touching stories - what more could you want?
Well, the publisher has donated 100% of its takings from the audio to Nelson Mandela Children's Fund and Artists for New South Africa who work with children affected by HIV/AIDS.
Introduction - Desmond Tutu
★★★☆☆ The Ring of the King (Mythical African kingdom) - Alan Rickman
Slightly iffy narration. Very clever story. I laughed at the end.
★★★★☆ Asmodeus and the Bottler of Djinns (South African English) - Whoopi Goldberg
Excellent and highly enjoyable narration. Another clever story.
★★★★★ Mpipidi and the Motlopi Tree (Botswana) - Matt Damon
Beautiful singing. Heartwarming story of a boy who finds and takes care of an abandoned baby girl.
★★★☆☆ Natiki (Namaqualand, South Africa) - Parminder Nagra
An African version of Cinderella.
★★☆☆☆ The Mantis and the Moon (San, South Africa) - Forest Whitaker
A mantis tries to capture the moon.
★★☆☆☆ How Hlakanyana Outwitted the Monster (Nguni, South Africa) - Sean Hayes
How Hlakanyana outwitted the hare was more interesting than him outwitting the monster.
★★☆☆☆ The Message (Namibia) - Charlize Theron
Greed leads to the garbling of a message of comfort and hope into one that compounds grief and desolation.
★★★☆☆ The Wolf Queen (Cape Malay) - Benjamin Bratt
A girl requests a silver dress, then a gold one, then a diamond dress to put off having to reject the sultan's marriage proposal as she was already in love with another. She eventually shapeshifts with the help of a wolfskin.
★★★☆☆ The Snake Chief (West Africa/Zululand, South Africa) - Scarlet Johansson
Never make bargains you don't intend to fulfil, especially if it involves gifting a family member to a stranger, the snake. Luckily it was a Frog Prince story - the snake turns into a human because a virtuous girl had accepted him.
★★★★☆ King Lion's Gifts (Khoi, Southern Africa) - Ricardo Chavira
How the animals came to look and sound the way they do. The King Lion bestowed gifts such as suits and laughs upon them.
★★☆☆☆ Words As Sweet As Honey from Sankhambi (Venda, South Africa) - Debra Messing
How monkeys gained their muscular physique.
★★★☆☆ Sakunaka, the Handsome Young Man (Zimbabwe) - LeTanya Richardson Jackson
Great narrator. A selfish mother depriving her son of a wife for fear of losing him to another woman. Sad that the mother had to die. Why couldn't she live with or near her son after he'd married?
★★★★☆ Wolf and Jackal and the Barrel of Butter (Cape Dutch) - Hugh Jackman
Awesome narration. Poor wolf didn't know he'd been hoodwinked by the Jackal.
★★★★☆ The Guardian of the Pool (Central Africa/Zululand, South Africa) - Gillian Anderson
A daughter uses her mother's multiple sacrifices to keep her child alive to give her the strength to take a risk to save her mother's life. Another Frog Prince story.
★★★☆☆ Sannie Langtand and the Visitor (South African English) - C.C.H. Pounder
Excellent narration. Time travel. Dragonflight. Flying carpets.
★★★★☆ The Sultan's Daughter (Cape Malay) - Blair Underwood
Excellent narrator. Lovely story and moral; doing a kindness when there is no chance of reward.
★★★☆☆ Van Hunks and the Devil (Cape Dutch) - LeVar Burton
Urban legend explaining why there's smoke around Table Mountain.
★★☆☆☆ The Clever Snake Charmer (Morocco) - Samuel L. Jackson
Great narration. Not as clever as I'd hoped, except for the tiny donkey. He just gives vague answers to riddles and questions posed by the king.
★★☆☆☆ The Enchanting Song of the Magical Bird (Tanzania) - Jurnee Smullett
Children sometimes see and hear truths where adults hear only lies.
★★☆☆☆ The Hare and the Tree Spirit (Xhosa, South Africa) - Sophie Okenado
A girl is struck dumb after unknowingly she was cursed by an old woman who'd tripped over the girl's rubbish. A hare hoodwinks a man into providing him fresh green meals, until he feels guilty and makes good on the deal he made by helping the girl regain her voice.
★★★★☆ The Mother Who Turned to Dust (Malawi) - Helen Mirren
A unique human origin story.
★★★★☆ Fesito Goes to Market (Uganda) - Don Cheadle
Telling the difference between those who take advantage of you and those who genuinely need help, and overcoming great difficulty to succeed. Great narration.
Niggling downsides to the audio are: narrators are not introduced nor is the origin of the each tale, the stories are in a radically different order to the paperback and not all of the stories in the paperback are bundled into the audio. Ten are missing, five of which can be found on Audible for which I paid an extra £7:
★★★★☆ The Cat Who Came Indoors (Zimbabwe) - Helen Mirren
Even if you're not a cat lover, you'll like this origin story of the cat-human relationship.
★★★★☆ The Lion, the Hare, and the Hyena (Kenya) - Alan Rickman
Don't try to break up a relationship in order to befriend one of your victims, it could turn out badly for you.
★★★☆☆ Spider and the Crows (Nigeria) - Don Cheadle
Greed can make friends into enemies and leave you rich but without allies.
★★★☆☆ Mmadipetsane (Lesotho) - Alfre Woodard
Excellent narration. A disobedient girl dances with danger by encroaching on a monster's territory despite warnings from her mother, until her luck runs out.
★☆☆☆☆ The Cloud Princess (Swaziland) - Matt Damon
Stockholm Syndrome. Princess wants to marry her captor. He follows her back to her kingdom where the king tries several times to have him murdered until he decides to return to his home. The princess follows and their gifted with a village of people who worship them.
The others found only in the paperback are:
➛ The Great Thirst (San, South Africa)
➛ Mmutla and Phiri (Botswana)
➛ Kamiyo of the River (Transkei, South Africa)
➛ The Snake with the Seven Heads (Xhosa, South Africa)
➛ The Hare's Revenge (Zambia)
*Read as part of The Dead Writers Society's Around the World challenge.
Besides the veritable buffet of Hollywood A-listers from various ethnic backgrounds providing narrations, there's beautiful music and songs in the interludes between stories and in the stories themselves. I've derived much enjoyment from the imaginative and enthusiastic performances from the narrators, most of whom possess great skills with accents. Even if you don't recognise a couple of the narrators' names, odds are you'd recognise their faces.
Whoopi Goldberg and Hugh Jackman's performances were outstanding though most were above average.
Urban legends, origin stories, fables, parables, myths, magic, time travel, African versions of well-known fairy tales, clever and devious characters, and emotionally touching stories - what more could you want?
Well, the publisher has donated 100% of its takings from the audio to Nelson Mandela Children's Fund and Artists for New South Africa who work with children affected by HIV/AIDS.
Introduction - Desmond Tutu
★★★☆☆ The Ring of the King (Mythical African kingdom) - Alan Rickman
Slightly iffy narration. Very clever story. I laughed at the end.
★★★★☆ Asmodeus and the Bottler of Djinns (South African English) - Whoopi Goldberg
Excellent and highly enjoyable narration. Another clever story.
★★★★★ Mpipidi and the Motlopi Tree (Botswana) - Matt Damon
Beautiful singing. Heartwarming story of a boy who finds and takes care of an abandoned baby girl.
★★★☆☆ Natiki (Namaqualand, South Africa) - Parminder Nagra
An African version of Cinderella.
★★☆☆☆ The Mantis and the Moon (San, South Africa) - Forest Whitaker
A mantis tries to capture the moon.
★★☆☆☆ How Hlakanyana Outwitted the Monster (Nguni, South Africa) - Sean Hayes
How Hlakanyana outwitted the hare was more interesting than him outwitting the monster.
★★☆☆☆ The Message (Namibia) - Charlize Theron
Greed leads to the garbling of a message of comfort and hope into one that compounds grief and desolation.
★★★☆☆ The Wolf Queen (Cape Malay) - Benjamin Bratt
A girl requests a silver dress, then a gold one, then a diamond dress to put off having to reject the sultan's marriage proposal as she was already in love with another. She eventually shapeshifts with the help of a wolfskin.
★★★☆☆ The Snake Chief (West Africa/Zululand, South Africa) - Scarlet Johansson
Never make bargains you don't intend to fulfil, especially if it involves gifting a family member to a stranger, the snake. Luckily it was a Frog Prince story - the snake turns into a human because a virtuous girl had accepted him.
★★★★☆ King Lion's Gifts (Khoi, Southern Africa) - Ricardo Chavira
How the animals came to look and sound the way they do. The King Lion bestowed gifts such as suits and laughs upon them.
★★☆☆☆ Words As Sweet As Honey from Sankhambi (Venda, South Africa) - Debra Messing
How monkeys gained their muscular physique.
★★★☆☆ Sakunaka, the Handsome Young Man (Zimbabwe) - LeTanya Richardson Jackson
Great narrator. A selfish mother depriving her son of a wife for fear of losing him to another woman. Sad that the mother had to die. Why couldn't she live with or near her son after he'd married?
★★★★☆ Wolf and Jackal and the Barrel of Butter (Cape Dutch) - Hugh Jackman
Awesome narration. Poor wolf didn't know he'd been hoodwinked by the Jackal.
★★★★☆ The Guardian of the Pool (Central Africa/Zululand, South Africa) - Gillian Anderson
A daughter uses her mother's multiple sacrifices to keep her child alive to give her the strength to take a risk to save her mother's life. Another Frog Prince story.
★★★☆☆ Sannie Langtand and the Visitor (South African English) - C.C.H. Pounder
Excellent narration. Time travel. Dragonflight. Flying carpets.
★★★★☆ The Sultan's Daughter (Cape Malay) - Blair Underwood
Excellent narrator. Lovely story and moral; doing a kindness when there is no chance of reward.
★★★☆☆ Van Hunks and the Devil (Cape Dutch) - LeVar Burton
Urban legend explaining why there's smoke around Table Mountain.
★★☆☆☆ The Clever Snake Charmer (Morocco) - Samuel L. Jackson
Great narration. Not as clever as I'd hoped, except for the tiny donkey. He just gives vague answers to riddles and questions posed by the king.
★★☆☆☆ The Enchanting Song of the Magical Bird (Tanzania) - Jurnee Smullett
Children sometimes see and hear truths where adults hear only lies.
★★☆☆☆ The Hare and the Tree Spirit (Xhosa, South Africa) - Sophie Okenado
A girl is struck dumb after unknowingly she was cursed by an old woman who'd tripped over the girl's rubbish. A hare hoodwinks a man into providing him fresh green meals, until he feels guilty and makes good on the deal he made by helping the girl regain her voice.
★★★★☆ The Mother Who Turned to Dust (Malawi) - Helen Mirren
A unique human origin story.
★★★★☆ Fesito Goes to Market (Uganda) - Don Cheadle
Telling the difference between those who take advantage of you and those who genuinely need help, and overcoming great difficulty to succeed. Great narration.
Niggling downsides to the audio are: narrators are not introduced nor is the origin of the each tale, the stories are in a radically different order to the paperback and not all of the stories in the paperback are bundled into the audio. Ten are missing, five of which can be found on Audible for which I paid an extra £7:
★★★★☆ The Cat Who Came Indoors (Zimbabwe) - Helen Mirren
Even if you're not a cat lover, you'll like this origin story of the cat-human relationship.
★★★★☆ The Lion, the Hare, and the Hyena (Kenya) - Alan Rickman
Don't try to break up a relationship in order to befriend one of your victims, it could turn out badly for you.
★★★☆☆ Spider and the Crows (Nigeria) - Don Cheadle
Greed can make friends into enemies and leave you rich but without allies.
★★★☆☆ Mmadipetsane (Lesotho) - Alfre Woodard
Excellent narration. A disobedient girl dances with danger by encroaching on a monster's territory despite warnings from her mother, until her luck runs out.
★☆☆☆☆ The Cloud Princess (Swaziland) - Matt Damon
Stockholm Syndrome. Princess wants to marry her captor. He follows her back to her kingdom where the king tries several times to have him murdered until he decides to return to his home. The princess follows and their gifted with a village of people who worship them.
The others found only in the paperback are:
➛ The Great Thirst (San, South Africa)
➛ Mmutla and Phiri (Botswana)
➛ Kamiyo of the River (Transkei, South Africa)
➛ The Snake with the Seven Heads (Xhosa, South Africa)
➛ The Hare's Revenge (Zambia)
*Read as part of The Dead Writers Society's Around the World challenge.
March 7, 2020
Von allen bislang von mir gelesenen Märchensammlungen erkläre ich dieses Buch zu meinem neuen Favoriten.
Diese Auswahl afrikanischer Märchen ist so herzerfrischend anders im Vergleich zu den europäischen, mit denen ich aufwuchs und die sich untereinander von Land zu Land doch recht ähnlich sind.
Hierin aber begegneten mir verständlicherweise ganz andere Tiere und Wesen wie Hyänen, Löwen, Schlangen, ja sogar Spinnen oder eben Jungteufel Asmodeus. Durch sie lernte ich eine für mich ganz neue Zauberwelt kennen; und damit die unterschiedlichen Völker und Kulturen Afrikas. - Für mich der pure Lesegenuss!!!
Diese Auswahl afrikanischer Märchen ist so herzerfrischend anders im Vergleich zu den europäischen, mit denen ich aufwuchs und die sich untereinander von Land zu Land doch recht ähnlich sind.
Hierin aber begegneten mir verständlicherweise ganz andere Tiere und Wesen wie Hyänen, Löwen, Schlangen, ja sogar Spinnen oder eben Jungteufel Asmodeus. Durch sie lernte ich eine für mich ganz neue Zauberwelt kennen; und damit die unterschiedlichen Völker und Kulturen Afrikas. - Für mich der pure Lesegenuss!!!
May 17, 2023
Le fiabe mi hanno sempre affascinata. Questa raccolta, non fa eccezione, racconti popolari da tutta l'Africa scelte da Nelson Mandela e raccolte dalla voce di vari folkloristi. Storie affascinanti, senza tempo che ci riportano alle nostre radici e che mi hanno fatta tornare bambina nei momenti in cui le ho lette.
September 21, 2010
The folktales are wonderful narrative representations from many African countries including South Africa. The prize however is the audiobook loaded with many talented narrators/actors (Gillian Anderson, Benjamin Bratt, Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, Whoopi Goldberg, Sean Hayes, Samuel L. Jackson, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Debra Messing, Helen Mirren, Parminder Nagra, Sophie Okonedo, CCH Pounder, Alan Rickman, Jurnee Smollett, Charlize Theron, Blair Underwood, Forest Whitaker, and Alfre Woodard).
Most do a very good job with the reading and characterizations. Some, however, do an outstanding job, while a few narrators inadvertently transport the African stories to Europe or South America, and yet the stories still work. A worthwhile listen.
Most do a very good job with the reading and characterizations. Some, however, do an outstanding job, while a few narrators inadvertently transport the African stories to Europe or South America, and yet the stories still work. A worthwhile listen.
June 29, 2019
What a lovely and delightful book! I got this for the girlies and I cannot wait to read this with them and study the countries the stories come from. The audio for this is simply charming and all the actors that read the stories do an amazing job. Just a delight from beginning to end.
December 12, 2024
È una raccolta di alcune delle più antiche storie africane, che mutano in alcuni particolari a seconda delle tribù da cui provengono e da chi le racconta, rimanendo comunque universali nel modo di ritrarre l'umanità, gli animali e la magia. Gli animali sono i maggiori protagonisti di queste fiabe: la più ricorrente è la lepre astuta e a volte birichina. Abbiamo anche lo sciacallo furbo ed imbroglione, la debole iena, il regale e generoso leone, il malvagio serpente. Gli uomini subiscono incantesimi sia benigni che maligni. Nelson Mandela ha raccolto queste fiabe specificando per ognuna la provenienza, la fonte ed il tema, con il desiderio che la magia non abbandoni mai i libri dei bambini. Vi sono anche delle bellissime e colorate illustrazioni di artisti africani. Non mancano figure mitiche del folclore africano ed enigmi da risolvere. Molto simpatici i racconti che spiegano la nascita di alcune caratteristiche distintive degli animali (es. proboscide, macchie o strisce dei vari manti). In genere sono tutte a lieto fine, tranne alcune eccezioni che sembrano voler incutere un po' di timore ai bambini ed indirizzarli all'obbedienza. Sempre bello scoprire tradizioni ed usi di altri paesi 🥰.
January 31, 2025
I listened on Audible. First off, I loved the stories, some a little more than others, and most of the narration was 5 stars. The music was fantastic, but it is so much louder than the stories that you should be ready to adjust your headphones if that's how you're listening.
I would recommend these stories to anyone who likes folktales. They come from many African countries. I'm an adult, but I would also enjoy these with my grandkids, even the one who would claim to be too old.
I'm thankful for the PDF with all the pictures and credits - great illustrations! If you are borrowing from the library or buying from any source, please check for the PDF! This is also in print. It was produced to raise money for children orphaned and impacted by HIV/AIDS in South Africa. I'm glad to have this!
I would recommend these stories to anyone who likes folktales. They come from many African countries. I'm an adult, but I would also enjoy these with my grandkids, even the one who would claim to be too old.
I'm thankful for the PDF with all the pictures and credits - great illustrations! If you are borrowing from the library or buying from any source, please check for the PDF! This is also in print. It was produced to raise money for children orphaned and impacted by HIV/AIDS in South Africa. I'm glad to have this!
February 12, 2014
Piccole storie di vita e di cibo.
Questo libro di fiabe africane è un piccolo preziosissimo dono che Nelson Mandela ci fa a fianco del dono molto più grande per cui è famoso.
Le storie seguono una struttura molto simile rispetto alle favole tradizionali che la tradizione ci ha consegnato: l'antropomorfizzazione degli animali, il forte carattere educativo e moraleggiante, lo stile e l'immaginario molto semplici e lineari.
Ma proprio questa apparente somiglianza in realtà sottolinea i punti di distacco, che sono quelli dove lo spirito dell' Africa nera emerge con la sua travolgente e primitiva vitalità. Sono storie di una umanità non ancora inquinata dalla socialità complessa degli stati occidentali, e dove i bisogni e le necessità sono ancora di tipo primitivo. Nella versione africana di Cenerentola la protagonista vive in un villaggio, raccoglie erbe e tiene acceso il fuoco, mentre il principe in realtà è un cacciatore il cui fascino principale sta nel riuscire a tener sempre piene di carne le ciotole.
Caccia, pesca, raccolta: il cibo la fa da padrone in tutte queste favole, a testimonianza di una cultura che ancora non dà per scontata la sopravvivenza: che proprio per questo non è capace di intristire il suo spirito con vuote elucubrazioni. Le storie d'amore sono genuine e lineari, quasi sempre a lieto fine ma molto poco confortanti. Il racconto di una vita dura ma semplice, con risposte scomode ma comprensibili: questo arriva agli occhi del lettore occidentale di queste favole.
E forse è quello di cui molti lettori hanno bisogno, le orecchie piene del tormento spirituale di cui molta della narrativa dei paesi evoluti è piena. Pare di vedere il piccolo bimbetto bianco e sovrappeso, correre con gli occhi lucidi di lacrime a chiedere una storia al vecchio schiavo, i piedi ancora impolverati e legati da catene, e quello seduto a terra anzichè rivoltarsi sorride, alza lo sguardo e comincia a raccontare...raccontare di come forse la felicità sta non nell'avere delle risposte ma nel farsi domande giuste, semplici e che portino ad apprezzare il poco che si ha.
L'immaginario è potentissimo: l'Africa è ancora oggi un continente a tinte forti, violenta e selvaggia in tutte le sue manifestazioni. Non poteva essere diffferente il folklore che produce. E' anche molto ricco e variegato il panorama che esse tratteggiano: Madiba ha fatto un lavoro degno della sua potente mente politica nello scegliere queste storie in modo che restituiscano tutto il complesso e stratificato scenario della cultura africana di fine millennio. Sono presenti storie di tutte le etnie Zulu, contaminazioni introdotte dai colonizzatori boeri prima ed inglesi poi, per arrivare persino a storie di tradizione arabo-islamica (squisitamente simili alle mille e una notte) introdotte dalla comunità bengalese di Città del Capo, deportata in tempi remoti dalla loro madre patria. E non è certo un caso che il machiavellico vincitore sull'apartheid abbia scelto quasi sempre versioni trascritte e rivedute da antropologi bianchi, quasi sempre di origine olandese.
Ma leggendo queste fiabe non viene voglia di parlare di politica, siamo lontano dalle dichiarazioni di poetica polemiche di un Fedro alla ricerca di gloria e compensi: e queste favole non nascono per imitazione pedissequa da paradigmi grecizzanti, ma dal pianto dei bambini.
Il lettore di "le mie fiabe africane" è in cerca di conforto e di sicurezza, un po' come quel piccolo bambino nudo zulu che chiese a Nelson Mandela di far scrivere la sua storia altrimenti nessuno la avrebbe imparata: e leggendo di Mpipidi e dell'albero Motlopi, siamo anche noi un po' insieme a quel bambino a ricevere la carezza di quel vecchio sorridente, coi piedi ormai liberi dalle catene, che la storia chiamerà vincitore.
Questo libro di fiabe africane è un piccolo preziosissimo dono che Nelson Mandela ci fa a fianco del dono molto più grande per cui è famoso.
Le storie seguono una struttura molto simile rispetto alle favole tradizionali che la tradizione ci ha consegnato: l'antropomorfizzazione degli animali, il forte carattere educativo e moraleggiante, lo stile e l'immaginario molto semplici e lineari.
Ma proprio questa apparente somiglianza in realtà sottolinea i punti di distacco, che sono quelli dove lo spirito dell' Africa nera emerge con la sua travolgente e primitiva vitalità. Sono storie di una umanità non ancora inquinata dalla socialità complessa degli stati occidentali, e dove i bisogni e le necessità sono ancora di tipo primitivo. Nella versione africana di Cenerentola la protagonista vive in un villaggio, raccoglie erbe e tiene acceso il fuoco, mentre il principe in realtà è un cacciatore il cui fascino principale sta nel riuscire a tener sempre piene di carne le ciotole.
Caccia, pesca, raccolta: il cibo la fa da padrone in tutte queste favole, a testimonianza di una cultura che ancora non dà per scontata la sopravvivenza: che proprio per questo non è capace di intristire il suo spirito con vuote elucubrazioni. Le storie d'amore sono genuine e lineari, quasi sempre a lieto fine ma molto poco confortanti. Il racconto di una vita dura ma semplice, con risposte scomode ma comprensibili: questo arriva agli occhi del lettore occidentale di queste favole.
E forse è quello di cui molti lettori hanno bisogno, le orecchie piene del tormento spirituale di cui molta della narrativa dei paesi evoluti è piena. Pare di vedere il piccolo bimbetto bianco e sovrappeso, correre con gli occhi lucidi di lacrime a chiedere una storia al vecchio schiavo, i piedi ancora impolverati e legati da catene, e quello seduto a terra anzichè rivoltarsi sorride, alza lo sguardo e comincia a raccontare...raccontare di come forse la felicità sta non nell'avere delle risposte ma nel farsi domande giuste, semplici e che portino ad apprezzare il poco che si ha.
L'immaginario è potentissimo: l'Africa è ancora oggi un continente a tinte forti, violenta e selvaggia in tutte le sue manifestazioni. Non poteva essere diffferente il folklore che produce. E' anche molto ricco e variegato il panorama che esse tratteggiano: Madiba ha fatto un lavoro degno della sua potente mente politica nello scegliere queste storie in modo che restituiscano tutto il complesso e stratificato scenario della cultura africana di fine millennio. Sono presenti storie di tutte le etnie Zulu, contaminazioni introdotte dai colonizzatori boeri prima ed inglesi poi, per arrivare persino a storie di tradizione arabo-islamica (squisitamente simili alle mille e una notte) introdotte dalla comunità bengalese di Città del Capo, deportata in tempi remoti dalla loro madre patria. E non è certo un caso che il machiavellico vincitore sull'apartheid abbia scelto quasi sempre versioni trascritte e rivedute da antropologi bianchi, quasi sempre di origine olandese.
Ma leggendo queste fiabe non viene voglia di parlare di politica, siamo lontano dalle dichiarazioni di poetica polemiche di un Fedro alla ricerca di gloria e compensi: e queste favole non nascono per imitazione pedissequa da paradigmi grecizzanti, ma dal pianto dei bambini.
Il lettore di "le mie fiabe africane" è in cerca di conforto e di sicurezza, un po' come quel piccolo bambino nudo zulu che chiese a Nelson Mandela di far scrivere la sua storia altrimenti nessuno la avrebbe imparata: e leggendo di Mpipidi e dell'albero Motlopi, siamo anche noi un po' insieme a quel bambino a ricevere la carezza di quel vecchio sorridente, coi piedi ormai liberi dalle catene, che la storia chiamerà vincitore.
July 10, 2019
"Na verdade, na verdade, nem tudo o que vão ouvir corresponde à realidade"(palavras com que os contadores de histórias ashanti iniciam as suas narrativas).
Adorei esta colectânea de fábulas africanas. Cada história deste livro é uma pérola escondida e, embora algumas delas tenham bases semelhantes às europeias, temos sempre um gostinho da cultura africana.
As minhas fábulas favoritas foram "A gata que preferiu viver dentro de casa", "O anel do rei", "Fesito vai ao mercado" e "A feiticeira Sannie Langtand e o estranho visitante".
Por último, termino com um excerto do prefácio de Nelson Mandela, que me encantou:
"Uma história é uma história, e podemos contá-la de acordo com a nossa imaginação ou o ambiente que nos rodeia; e se a nossa história ganha asas não podemos impedir que outros se apropriem dela. E pode acontecer que ela um dia regresse, com novas roupagens e uma nova voz. Esta característica peculiar das histórias tradicionais pode ser ilustrada pela forma como os contadores de histórias habitualmente concluem as suas narrativas: "Esta é a minha história, tal como a contei; tenham gostado ou não, levem-na para outros lugares e tragam-ma de volta."
Adorei esta colectânea de fábulas africanas. Cada história deste livro é uma pérola escondida e, embora algumas delas tenham bases semelhantes às europeias, temos sempre um gostinho da cultura africana.
As minhas fábulas favoritas foram "A gata que preferiu viver dentro de casa", "O anel do rei", "Fesito vai ao mercado" e "A feiticeira Sannie Langtand e o estranho visitante".
Por último, termino com um excerto do prefácio de Nelson Mandela, que me encantou:
"Uma história é uma história, e podemos contá-la de acordo com a nossa imaginação ou o ambiente que nos rodeia; e se a nossa história ganha asas não podemos impedir que outros se apropriem dela. E pode acontecer que ela um dia regresse, com novas roupagens e uma nova voz. Esta característica peculiar das histórias tradicionais pode ser ilustrada pela forma como os contadores de histórias habitualmente concluem as suas narrativas: "Esta é a minha história, tal como a contei; tenham gostado ou não, levem-na para outros lugares e tragam-ma de volta."
January 15, 2018
Audiobooks are not usually my thing, but I think that's how I should have experienced this book. These stories were really meant to be told/heard aloud, and it felt like something was lost trying to capture them in text. I liked that each story was preceded by a snippet of geographical and/or historical context, but I really wanted to know more about where each story came from -- which was obviously beyond the scope of this book, but also felt like something that was missing as I read the stories without enough context to fully appreciate them. I'll give the audiobook a try!
December 2, 2022
Difficile valutare quest'opera, perché in realtà, è una raccolta di favole e fiabe dell' Africa rispolverate , che probabilmente venivano raccontate un tempo oralmente e tramandate, e Nelson Mandela ha fatto questo enorme lavoro di raccoglierle per iscritto, selezionando le versioni da lui ritenute le più riuscite. Ma ovviamente, su queste Fiabe e favole possiamo attraversare alti e bassi, perché si tratta di storie appartenenti ad un 'altra cultura, e si potrebbero riscontrare difficoltà nella condivisione e comprensione di queste storie, soprattutto se pensiamo che dovrebbero essere raccontate a dei bambini. Ecco, non sono storie adatte ad un pubblico di minori, in certi punti sono state troppo anche per me. Poi ci sono storie che mi sono piaciute di più e che ho trovato più incisive ed altre in cui ho faticato nel trovarci la morale e il senso.
May 19, 2025
My short list of Ordibehesht - Africa is the second month in my 1404 Bookmark Calendar Challenge, with only two books
FolkfreakyTales and modern horror
FolkfreakyTales and modern horror
May 6, 2019
The main question I faced when evaluating Favourite African Folktales is this: How can I actually review a folktale, something that is not written as a literary oeuvre by anyone in specific, being merely a memory of a story that got passed down through generations? Even more so, if the culture is as distant from me as this one?
Eventually, I think it comes down to what I expected of the book. And as with any collection of stories, I sought to be entertained, emotionally stirred, taught. I wanted to be shown clear models for behaviours, I wanted to be told what’s right and what’s wrong. I probably expected some sort of Brother Grimm stories in African make-up.
I was not disappointed. Teeming with exotic colours, flavours, smells and animals, Favourite African Folktales took me on a whirlwind journey across the continent, sometimes on the wings of a dragon (the delightful story of Sannie Langtand), sometimes in a copper djinn bottle (“Asmodeus and the Bottler of Djinns”, with an ending that made me laugh out loud).
It made me realise that some tale structures are universal - you stumble upon the usual Cinderellas and Frog Princes, as well as the magical number three, when trying to build up suspense.
However, it also offered a lot of new material to absorb - I discovered a brand new tale of the creation of the world and I can also beautifully imagine how Devil’s Peak looks like when cloudy. There were stories that made me laugh (“Wolf and Jackal and the Barrel of Butter”), and some that touched me with their insistence on the right values (“The Sultan's Daughter”).
Overall, it was wonderfully refreshing to hear stories that are being told to children in the other parts of the world, and the audiobook made the whole experience thoroughly enjoyable.
The only reason why I ranked it with 3 stars is that not all the stories had a deeper meaning or a lesson to learn. But then, as adults, we are so used to look for hidden meanings everywhere, that we often forget what is it that we are facing. And in some cases, the stories were just what they were… stories. No hidden agendas, no lessons to follow, just plain, old, simple stories, all there to wake up our imagination.
Eventually, I think it comes down to what I expected of the book. And as with any collection of stories, I sought to be entertained, emotionally stirred, taught. I wanted to be shown clear models for behaviours, I wanted to be told what’s right and what’s wrong. I probably expected some sort of Brother Grimm stories in African make-up.
I was not disappointed. Teeming with exotic colours, flavours, smells and animals, Favourite African Folktales took me on a whirlwind journey across the continent, sometimes on the wings of a dragon (the delightful story of Sannie Langtand), sometimes in a copper djinn bottle (“Asmodeus and the Bottler of Djinns”, with an ending that made me laugh out loud).
It made me realise that some tale structures are universal - you stumble upon the usual Cinderellas and Frog Princes, as well as the magical number three, when trying to build up suspense.
However, it also offered a lot of new material to absorb - I discovered a brand new tale of the creation of the world and I can also beautifully imagine how Devil’s Peak looks like when cloudy. There were stories that made me laugh (“Wolf and Jackal and the Barrel of Butter”), and some that touched me with their insistence on the right values (“The Sultan's Daughter”).
Overall, it was wonderfully refreshing to hear stories that are being told to children in the other parts of the world, and the audiobook made the whole experience thoroughly enjoyable.
The only reason why I ranked it with 3 stars is that not all the stories had a deeper meaning or a lesson to learn. But then, as adults, we are so used to look for hidden meanings everywhere, that we often forget what is it that we are facing. And in some cases, the stories were just what they were… stories. No hidden agendas, no lessons to follow, just plain, old, simple stories, all there to wake up our imagination.
October 21, 2010
It has been a long time since I have been read to by adult. It was a true pleasure being read to by the familiar, expressive voices of famous actors, such as Whoopi Goldberg, Blair Underwood, Sean Hayes, Matt Damon, Benjamin Bratt, LaVar Burton, Hugh Jackman, Samuel L. Jackson, and the list goes on and on. Each story ranges anywhere from four minutes to eighteen minutes, so it is easy to listen to the three CD's in short spurts. Some of the stories are more interesting than others, the majority of which I think would be most appreciated by fourth graders up through adults, mostly because of the vocabulary and how quickly some of the actors read. A few of my favorites were: “The Sultan’s Daughter,” “The Wolf and Jackal and the Barrel of Butter,” “The Mother Who Turned to Dust,” “The Clever Snake Charmer,” and “The Wolf Queen.” There are also very brief musical interludes that help transport the listener to a more relaxed and rhythmic state of mind. For younger children (or tired adults) it is a great bedtime CD.
As if you don’t already have a good reason to go out and purchase this CD for your home or classroom, the proceeds go to a few charitable, humanitarian organizations: Artists for a New South Africa (ANSA) and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (NMCF). Both organizations are involved in efforts to help children in South Africa orphaned and impacted by HIV/AIDS. You get three hours of total playing time for only $17.00.
The pictures shown on the CD jacket are authentic, cultural works of art. The introduction spoken by Archbishop Desmond Tuto gets the listener’s attention right off the bat. The music is by Johnny Clegg and Vusi Mahlasela and the whole experience was directed by Alfre Woodard. By the end of the three hours (spread out over many days), I had the same content smile on my face as the sloth pictured on the back cover. An enjoyable escape and sleeping children… what more could a middle-aged mother want? Who wants to borrow it first???
As if you don’t already have a good reason to go out and purchase this CD for your home or classroom, the proceeds go to a few charitable, humanitarian organizations: Artists for a New South Africa (ANSA) and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (NMCF). Both organizations are involved in efforts to help children in South Africa orphaned and impacted by HIV/AIDS. You get three hours of total playing time for only $17.00.
The pictures shown on the CD jacket are authentic, cultural works of art. The introduction spoken by Archbishop Desmond Tuto gets the listener’s attention right off the bat. The music is by Johnny Clegg and Vusi Mahlasela and the whole experience was directed by Alfre Woodard. By the end of the three hours (spread out over many days), I had the same content smile on my face as the sloth pictured on the back cover. An enjoyable escape and sleeping children… what more could a middle-aged mother want? Who wants to borrow it first???
November 10, 2010
What a wonderful audiobook! Many times, I feel disadvantaged by having to listen rather than read a book, but this book was a wonderful exception. The stories are all read by famous actors and actresses and there are the most beautiful songs accompanying the stories. My favorite reader was Alan Rickman. I adore his voice. I purchased the book from iTunes and it included a digital booklet with the illustrations for each story. The illustrations are also beautiful.
I've listened to many of these with Oscar, but I also had to listen to it on my own. The book includes about 25 short stories. I really enjoyed The Mantis and the Moon from the San, and Fesito goes to Market from Uganda.
I've listened to many of these with Oscar, but I also had to listen to it on my own. The book includes about 25 short stories. I really enjoyed The Mantis and the Moon from the San, and Fesito goes to Market from Uganda.
April 19, 2018
L’autore, Nelson Mandela, raccoglie qui i 30 racconti per lui più significativi e che meglio trasmettono lo spirito africano.
Sono racconti di vario genere, alcuni assomigliano alle favole, altri alle fiabe, altri ancora ai miti, ma sono in realtà abbastanza diversi da questi generi.
Sono diversi nei personaggi, com’è naturale che sia, ad esempio se si prendono in considerazione i racconti che hanno gli animali come protagonisti, si nota subito che molti sono quelli tipici africani come la iena, lo sciacallo, il leone, l’uccello del miele, altri invece sono i nostri stessi animali, come per esempio la lepre e il lupo, ma hanno caratteristiche diverse da quelli delle nostre favole, infatti la lepre qui è sempre furba, il lupo invece viene spesso gabbato per troppa ingenuità.
Anche nei racconti più vicini alle nostre fiabe si nota che i personaggi umani sono sempre molto pochi, lasciando più spazio agli animali o ad altri esseri come avviene nei racconti più simili ai miti greco-romani.
Ciò che mi ha colpito di tutte queste narrazioni, confrontandole con quelle della nostra tradizione culturale, è l’assenza di una morale: non sembrano cioè voler dare un insegnamento e non riesco ritrovarvi le funzioni di Propp, ma appaiono più che altro racconti fatti per allietare (o spaventare divertendo) chi li ascolta, senza nessun altro scopo se non quello meramente ludico; ciò a mio avviso lo si può anche capire dal fatto che dal punto di vista linguistico e sintattico ricalcano in toto il linguaggio parlato, alcuni nell’intreccio sono addirittura privi di una consequenzialità logica come se venissero inventati seduta stante, mentre si leggono/ascoltano.
Su tutti però prevale una certa allegria e gioia di vivere, anche con le poche cose che dà la natura senza pretendere troppo, perché impossibile da raggiungere, elemento che manca invece nelle nostre favole e fiabe.
Sicuramente queste “fiabe africane” sono piacevoli da leggere, sono ricche di colori e suoni tipici dell’Africa e secondo me sarebbero da far leggere ai bambini, mettendole anche in confronto con le nostre favole e fiabe più note, in modo da far cogliere loro la differenza o i punti di contatto, al fine di far capire quanto in realtà gli uomini siano uguali seppur nella loro differenza.
Sono racconti di vario genere, alcuni assomigliano alle favole, altri alle fiabe, altri ancora ai miti, ma sono in realtà abbastanza diversi da questi generi.
Sono diversi nei personaggi, com’è naturale che sia, ad esempio se si prendono in considerazione i racconti che hanno gli animali come protagonisti, si nota subito che molti sono quelli tipici africani come la iena, lo sciacallo, il leone, l’uccello del miele, altri invece sono i nostri stessi animali, come per esempio la lepre e il lupo, ma hanno caratteristiche diverse da quelli delle nostre favole, infatti la lepre qui è sempre furba, il lupo invece viene spesso gabbato per troppa ingenuità.
Anche nei racconti più vicini alle nostre fiabe si nota che i personaggi umani sono sempre molto pochi, lasciando più spazio agli animali o ad altri esseri come avviene nei racconti più simili ai miti greco-romani.
Ciò che mi ha colpito di tutte queste narrazioni, confrontandole con quelle della nostra tradizione culturale, è l’assenza di una morale: non sembrano cioè voler dare un insegnamento e non riesco ritrovarvi le funzioni di Propp, ma appaiono più che altro racconti fatti per allietare (o spaventare divertendo) chi li ascolta, senza nessun altro scopo se non quello meramente ludico; ciò a mio avviso lo si può anche capire dal fatto che dal punto di vista linguistico e sintattico ricalcano in toto il linguaggio parlato, alcuni nell’intreccio sono addirittura privi di una consequenzialità logica come se venissero inventati seduta stante, mentre si leggono/ascoltano.
Su tutti però prevale una certa allegria e gioia di vivere, anche con le poche cose che dà la natura senza pretendere troppo, perché impossibile da raggiungere, elemento che manca invece nelle nostre favole e fiabe.
Sicuramente queste “fiabe africane” sono piacevoli da leggere, sono ricche di colori e suoni tipici dell’Africa e secondo me sarebbero da far leggere ai bambini, mettendole anche in confronto con le nostre favole e fiabe più note, in modo da far cogliere loro la differenza o i punti di contatto, al fine di far capire quanto in realtà gli uomini siano uguali seppur nella loro differenza.
November 13, 2024
Cómo llego este libro a mis estanterías? Pues realmente no lo he conseguido físiciamente, solo lo tengo porque lo saque de la biblioteca. Pero voy a explicarme. Resulta que casi a principio de año me apunte a un reto de leer lectura africana. Y la verdad es que estoy dusfritando mucho este reto, justo hasta que llego este libro y ha hecho que no vuelva a leer ninguno más. Me había dado cuenta de que si leía uno cortito y tal, podría ponerme justo en los meses correctos para llegar el reto al día. Así que estuve investigando en internet y encontre este libro. Tras buscar en mi biblioteca más cercana, me acerque a sacarlo.
Cuando lo ví me llamo la atención considerablemente ya que eran cuentos contados para niños centrados en mitos o personajes africanos. Son 32 cuentos de todos los rincones de África maravillosamente ilustrados por 16 artistas africanos. Así que tenía claro que iba a disfrutar como una niña entre historias y ilustraciones.
La verdad es que no hay cuentos realmente largos, a lo sumo puede que tengan unos 8 o 10 páginas, pero también podemos encontrar historias de una simple página. Por este motivo y por tener 224 páginas pensé que iba a ser un libro rápido de leer y que me daría el tiempo suficiente para poder adelantar el reto.
Y justo cuando empecé a leerlo me di cuenta de que empezaba a ser todo lo contrario, ponerme a leerlo era casi un suplicio. No porque la historia estuvieran mal escritas. O tal vez si, y es que en ralidad yo esperaba unas moralejas y la gran mayoría te decian que mataras a alguien o que hicieras trampas para conseguir cosas. Y no llegue a entender ¿cómo era posible que esperaran darle esas moralejas a los jovenes?. También se suponía que me iba a enseñar personajes africanos y casí todos han estado rondando alrededor de Leones, Tigres, y animales de la selva. Es cierto, que algunos podemos resaltarlo como personajes mitológico, pero poco.
Luego si nos vamos a lo que son las ilustraciones podemos ver un mundo muy diverto en ellas, algunas realmente impresionantes y otras parecen realizadas por niños. Por lo que por más que busco y rebusco en mi cabrebro no encuentro nada que pueda resaltar como bueno. Porque incluso que sen 224 páginas para mi me jugo en contra, ya que intentaba todos los dias leer un numero de paginas concreto y a veces me resistia a ponerme porque no me apetecía leer otra vez un cuento que no me iba a aportar nada.
No sé yo sí seré capaz de volver a meterme en un libro de este autor, porque aunque claramente no tenga nada que ver una historia con otra, esta claro que disfrutarlo no lo he hecho ni un poco. Creo que es posiblemente por ahora el peor libro que he leído en 2024. Esperemos que la cosa cambién por el camino.
Creo que esta reseña no da para mucho más pero por lo menos vais a saber que es lo que pienso de las historias que puedes encontrar en un autor tan conocido.
¿Recomendar? No, y mucho menos a los niños.
¿Relectura? negativo de nuevo.
Cuando lo ví me llamo la atención considerablemente ya que eran cuentos contados para niños centrados en mitos o personajes africanos. Son 32 cuentos de todos los rincones de África maravillosamente ilustrados por 16 artistas africanos. Así que tenía claro que iba a disfrutar como una niña entre historias y ilustraciones.
La verdad es que no hay cuentos realmente largos, a lo sumo puede que tengan unos 8 o 10 páginas, pero también podemos encontrar historias de una simple página. Por este motivo y por tener 224 páginas pensé que iba a ser un libro rápido de leer y que me daría el tiempo suficiente para poder adelantar el reto.
Y justo cuando empecé a leerlo me di cuenta de que empezaba a ser todo lo contrario, ponerme a leerlo era casi un suplicio. No porque la historia estuvieran mal escritas. O tal vez si, y es que en ralidad yo esperaba unas moralejas y la gran mayoría te decian que mataras a alguien o que hicieras trampas para conseguir cosas. Y no llegue a entender ¿cómo era posible que esperaran darle esas moralejas a los jovenes?. También se suponía que me iba a enseñar personajes africanos y casí todos han estado rondando alrededor de Leones, Tigres, y animales de la selva. Es cierto, que algunos podemos resaltarlo como personajes mitológico, pero poco.
Luego si nos vamos a lo que son las ilustraciones podemos ver un mundo muy diverto en ellas, algunas realmente impresionantes y otras parecen realizadas por niños. Por lo que por más que busco y rebusco en mi cabrebro no encuentro nada que pueda resaltar como bueno. Porque incluso que sen 224 páginas para mi me jugo en contra, ya que intentaba todos los dias leer un numero de paginas concreto y a veces me resistia a ponerme porque no me apetecía leer otra vez un cuento que no me iba a aportar nada.
No sé yo sí seré capaz de volver a meterme en un libro de este autor, porque aunque claramente no tenga nada que ver una historia con otra, esta claro que disfrutarlo no lo he hecho ni un poco. Creo que es posiblemente por ahora el peor libro que he leído en 2024. Esperemos que la cosa cambién por el camino.
Creo que esta reseña no da para mucho más pero por lo menos vais a saber que es lo que pienso de las historias que puedes encontrar en un autor tan conocido.
¿Recomendar? No, y mucho menos a los niños.
¿Relectura? negativo de nuevo.
Read
December 11, 2023Sin estrellitas porque no creo que tenga sentido ratearlo teniendo en cuenta que son muestras culturales, muchas veces su objetivo no es la literariedad sino la didáctica y porque los estamos consumiendo en un medio que no son suyos ya que la mayoría viene de la tradición oral. Una mezcla de cuentos tradicionales y modernos de todas partes de África.
Muy interesante. Así de simple. Ver la riqueza cultural africana la inventiva y las similitudes y diferencias con los cuentos tradicionales de otras partes del mundo. También es una excelente introducción a la literatura africana teniendo en cuenta que tiene varios cuentos relacionados con seres mitológicos o que explican las asociaciones de ciertos animales con ciertas actitudes.
El trabajo editorial es de 10. Las ilustraciones, el mapa que ubica la procedencia de los cuentos. En los cuentos donde la música es prominente, agrega la partitura.
Muy interesante. Así de simple. Ver la riqueza cultural africana la inventiva y las similitudes y diferencias con los cuentos tradicionales de otras partes del mundo. También es una excelente introducción a la literatura africana teniendo en cuenta que tiene varios cuentos relacionados con seres mitológicos o que explican las asociaciones de ciertos animales con ciertas actitudes.
El trabajo editorial es de 10. Las ilustraciones, el mapa que ubica la procedencia de los cuentos. En los cuentos donde la música es prominente, agrega la partitura.
April 28, 2024
I listened to the audiobook version that was voiced by a bunch of celebrities. That's why my rating is so low. Acting doesn't always translate well into voice acting. And honestly, I would've preferred someone who came from the country/region where the stories originated from to tell the stories. And maybe a little summary at the end saying where the stories originated or were currently being told.
The best parts were Vusi Mahlasela and Johnny Clegg, who are South African music legends. I loved the music and think if you have the opportunity to do so, listen to the audiobook for that reason. All the songs are replayed at the end of the audiobook too, which was a nice way to end it.
The best parts were Vusi Mahlasela and Johnny Clegg, who are South African music legends. I loved the music and think if you have the opportunity to do so, listen to the audiobook for that reason. All the songs are replayed at the end of the audiobook too, which was a nice way to end it.
August 30, 2019
3,5*
¡Lo disfruté muchísimo! Si llego a leer esto cuando era pequeña lo hubiera amado.
Cuentos infantiles con los animales como principales protagonistas. Es muy interesante leer estos relatos y darse cuenta de como se trasladan las enseñanzas de los cuentos a la sociedad en la que se relatan.
¡Lo disfruté muchísimo! Si llego a leer esto cuando era pequeña lo hubiera amado.
Cuentos infantiles con los animales como principales protagonistas. Es muy interesante leer estos relatos y darse cuenta de como se trasladan las enseñanzas de los cuentos a la sociedad en la que se relatan.
February 27, 2022
Nelson Mandela’s collection of his favorite stories mainly focus on those from South & southern Africa, which makes sense, but there’s a smattering of tales from other countries. I really enjoyed them all.
My favorite: The Cloud Princess. I want it made into a Disney film.
My favorite: The Cloud Princess. I want it made into a Disney film.
March 9, 2024
En una antología muy bonita. Muchos de los cuentos son muy divertidos, y en otros odio a los personajes por que son mañosos y abusivos y aún así les va bien jajaja.
Mis favoritos son el de “Asmodeus y el embotellador de Genios” que está divertidísimo, y el de “Fesito va al Mercado” que es adorable, tierno y divertido.
Mis favoritos son el de “Asmodeus y el embotellador de Genios” que está divertidísimo, y el de “Fesito va al Mercado” que es adorable, tierno y divertido.
April 16, 2019
Fun to hear some favorite actors read these stories on the audio edition! Stories themselves are good, some leave you thinking "what was that about?!" Because they can be a bit strange but others are great!
April 7, 2024
3.5 Stars
May 14, 2025
Amazing performances! 👏
August 18, 2025
Interessanti racconti che fanno capire molto sulla cultura Africana della fiabe .
July 6, 2017
This book was a GR recommendation and one that we had to request the local library to order. What attracted me to this book was Nelson Mandela first of all since he was such a great person and second of all the learning of African mythoi as there aren't many who cover the subject while with as much different ethnic and cultural groups it would be hard to find a book that can be all-inclusive of each single group found in Africa.
The special thing about this book is that although it isn't all-inclusive it does cover the majority of South Africa, which has its own massive collection of groups and history. And even though the book is dedicated to preserving African mythoi it follows Mandela's views of acceptance by joining the African history with its colonial history of both the Dutch and the Malay inhabitants that came to call this place home.
Each story is told by a different person and illustrated by yet another so the book isn't only just a collection of the folktales combined from so many sources but shares that characteristic in its presence. The unique storytelling catches the reader with some standing out more so than others and the illustrations like wise so that there is something for everyone.
If the book wasn't so big and awkward in size I would say it is the perfect book for sharing and learning. All in all it is a great stepping stone for those who want to learn how to be a storyteller or learning the basics of cultural South Africa. A definite recommend to those who may be interested.
The special thing about this book is that although it isn't all-inclusive it does cover the majority of South Africa, which has its own massive collection of groups and history. And even though the book is dedicated to preserving African mythoi it follows Mandela's views of acceptance by joining the African history with its colonial history of both the Dutch and the Malay inhabitants that came to call this place home.
Each story is told by a different person and illustrated by yet another so the book isn't only just a collection of the folktales combined from so many sources but shares that characteristic in its presence. The unique storytelling catches the reader with some standing out more so than others and the illustrations like wise so that there is something for everyone.
If the book wasn't so big and awkward in size I would say it is the perfect book for sharing and learning. All in all it is a great stepping stone for those who want to learn how to be a storyteller or learning the basics of cultural South Africa. A definite recommend to those who may be interested.
April 19, 2016
Como o título da obra indica, o livro consiste numa série de fábulas africanas compiladas. Apesar de ter lido cada história de forma sequencial, estas são independentes e de leitura individual.
No que diz respeito ao público-alvo, este livro pode ser lido em qualquer idade. No entanto, algumas das histórias trazem consigo mensagens não explícitas importantes para os mais pequenos, permitindo que, desde cedo, estes criem as suas próprias opiniões, princípios e valores.
Já não me lembro com precisão de como eram as fábulas que li na minha infância. O tempo passa e a verdade é que nem tudo fica na nossa memória. Contudo, penso que este livro traz consigo mais do que fábulas, mais do que lições morais. Em cada história, encontramos explicações (africanas) engraçadas acerca do aparecimento e evolução das diferentes espécies, sendo portanto, um bom livro para satisfazer aquela curiosidade tão característica dos mais pequenos – a idade dos porquês.
Porque é que a serpente rasteja?
Porque é que eu devo ser obediente?
Porque é que a lua tem aquela forma?
Ao longo da obra, direta e indiretamente descobrimos as respostas para perguntas como estas, resultantes como seria de esperar das tradições africanas, trazidas para o papel por Nelson Mandela, “o maior dos heróis africanos”.
http://bloguinhasparadise.blogspot.pt...
No que diz respeito ao público-alvo, este livro pode ser lido em qualquer idade. No entanto, algumas das histórias trazem consigo mensagens não explícitas importantes para os mais pequenos, permitindo que, desde cedo, estes criem as suas próprias opiniões, princípios e valores.
Já não me lembro com precisão de como eram as fábulas que li na minha infância. O tempo passa e a verdade é que nem tudo fica na nossa memória. Contudo, penso que este livro traz consigo mais do que fábulas, mais do que lições morais. Em cada história, encontramos explicações (africanas) engraçadas acerca do aparecimento e evolução das diferentes espécies, sendo portanto, um bom livro para satisfazer aquela curiosidade tão característica dos mais pequenos – a idade dos porquês.
Porque é que a serpente rasteja?
Porque é que eu devo ser obediente?
Porque é que a lua tem aquela forma?
Ao longo da obra, direta e indiretamente descobrimos as respostas para perguntas como estas, resultantes como seria de esperar das tradições africanas, trazidas para o papel por Nelson Mandela, “o maior dos heróis africanos”.
http://bloguinhasparadise.blogspot.pt...
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