Research & Development: Yoruba Folktales

My idea for extended practice is to make two short five-minute films. The foundation of my idea is Yoruba folktales. My heritage is from the Yoruba tribe and this is a way of expressing my culture and improving my film and editing skills.

The Yoruba tribe originate from the south of the Sahara Desert; they are one of the largest ethnic groups from Africa. My tribe consists of diverse people brought together by a common language, history and culture. Their religious beliefs and mythology present the ideas that they originated from a hero called Odua.

The folktales and trickster stories are from the Yoruba mythology. As research, I have read the book by Amos Tutuola Yoruba Folktales and currently reading Apetebii by Priest Ifayemi Elebuibon.

I have outlined the stories that I like and would like to create a modern adaptation of.

-The Shell man and the Terror of the Bush (from Amos Tutuola’s book)

A greedy tortoise cannot control his hunger, it ends him in a dangerous place, causing him and his family problems.

-Ajantala and the Three Brothers (from Amos Tutuola’s book)

-Tortoise and the Igbako (Spoon)

http://www.allfolktales.com/wafrica/tortoise_and_igbako.php

A story about how the tortoise wants to be the praised and respected. He makes a friend that provides him with a secret of how to provide food for his family during the famine. He misuses this new power and ends up failing his family and the village people.

-How Olomuroro made children thin http://www.allfolktales.com/wafrica/olomuroro.php

A story about how when children hear the voice of the monster it sends them into a trance that allows the monster to eat the food, resulting in the children becoming thin.

-Two sisters and an Old man

http://www.allfolktales.com/wafrica/two_sisters_and_old_man.php
A story about two sisters, one is kind and patient and the other wants to become the best at any cost. The kind sister is blessed while her cruel sister is taught an important lesson.

-Tortoise and the Princess who never speaks

http://www.allfolktales.com/wafrica/tortoise_and_princess.php
A king cannot figure out how to make his daughter speak so he gives the village a challenge that anyone who can make his daughter speak will be rewarded highly.

-The Stolen Soup Aroma

http://www.allfolktales.com/wafrica/stolen_soup_aroma.php
Two female neighbours, one is financially set and the other cannot afford a meal. This story is about sharing and friendship.

-Yoruba Folktales

http://www.sacred-texts.com/afr/yor/yor12.htm

There are other folktales from different tribes and countries that I looked at. Each serving a different purpose, like the Anansi stories from Jamaica that helped oppressed people fight for freedom and dignity no matter the cost. Anansi’s character is the spirit of revolt, trickster traits and always manages to get in and out of trouble.

Most folktales from other countries have animals as the characters like Yoruba tales.

http://www.jamaicans.com/culture/anansi/anancy_intro.shtml

Other folktales from around the world and popular ones are Native Americans, Inuit tribes and Mexican folklore. Each folktale has a moral or information that needs to be passed on through the generations. There are different themes brought up such as greed, friendships and love.

http://www.crystalinks.com/nativeamcreation.html

Most of the stories consist of the characters as animals, however I know that I want to use human characters so I shall be taking the main character traits when creating characters for my film.