African Tales and Myths
Things to Consider:
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Myths vs. Tales
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Polytheism
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Animism
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Male & Female Roles
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Ancestor Worship
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Versions of Creation
** Homework Questions **
71:
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How does the African Supreme God differ from Greek and Roman gods and
goddesses?
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How are myths different from tales?
72:
"Story of Creation"
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How does Mbere make man? How does this version of creation compare
to other versions you've read or heard of?
73:
"Story of the Beginning"
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How does Nzame compare to the Christian or Jewish god?
75:
-
What are the three "commandments"? What is the punishment for
violating them?
"Lie and Truth"
77:
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Are "Lie" and "Truth" really people? Explain.
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Is this a myth or a tale? Explain.
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What, if any, is the moral?
"The Dog and The Cock"
80:
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Describe the treatment of women in this piece.
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Is this a myth or a tale? Explain.
Other Discussion Questions:
49:
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Why were African poetry and proverbs ignored for so long?
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Traditionally, was African culture monotheistic or polytheistic?
Explain.
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Generally, what does early oral traditional poetry examine?
72:
"Why Earth"
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Who makes man?
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Why is the Earth peopled?
73:
"Story of the Beginning"
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Explain the significance of the first sentence.
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Who is Fam? Describe his relationship with Nzame.
74:
"The Origin of Death"
76:
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Does the moon really "die"? Explain.
"The Human Race"
78:
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According to this story, how does a woman help a man "refresh"
himself?
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Why is the horse-woman greedy?
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Why are the dog-women spiteful?
79:
"The Spider and the Mason-fly"
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Is this a tale or a myth? Explain.
"Spider Tries His Wives"
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Why does Spider need to "try" his wives?
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