2005-03-02 African Tales

Folktales in any culture, told and retold from one generation to the next, have special meaning within and beyond their geographic beginnings. They often combine the best of humanity's wisdoms with the local flair of their original source. Sometimes they are revealing, tongue in cheek irony, usually reflecting on one or the other human weakness or strength. They end with a gentle lesson in morality and local customs. The tales in this collection from one particular region of Africa are no different. As in fables everywhere, animals can speak and/or disguise themselves as humans; good and evil spirits test the resolve of the brave and award the deserving. While we might recognize some themes and characters, such as the hare or the tortoise, in all tales the African context shines through very strongly. We hear about a colourful bird that gives milk to sustain a poor family. In another, "children of wax" shape their restless brother into a bird to help him explore life during the hot sunny day. Or crocodiles that are feeling pity for a young girl too weak to carry the calabashes for the daily water needs of her family.

McCall Smith always finds the right tone, the proper nuances and illuminating details to bring the stories alive within their culture and environment. He has been collecting these tales, told to him over decades while living in Botswana and in what is now Zimbabwe. His sensitive retelling them for us conveys the local context vividly. Adding some detail on a landscape here or on a different local custom there makes his narratives rich reading. Enjoy this heart-warming treasure of a book, share it with your children and friends and explore this glimpse of an African vision. [Friederike Knabe]