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AFRICAN TOYS AND GAMES FOR CHILDREN

Product links are in blue and underlined. Click on them to get more information.
Listed alphabetically with brief descriptions included for your convenience and to save you research time.

10 Days in Africa Game You have 10 DAYS IN AFRICA touring by plane, car, and on foot. Chart your course from start to finish using destination and transportation tiles. With a little luck and clever planning, you just might outwit your fellow travelers. The first traveler to make connections for a ten day journey wins the game.

African Animal Chess Set Plan a wild strategy with this safari-inspired chess set featuring animals from the African veldt. Chess board: 15" x 15" x 1 3/4" thick.

African Animals 6 Pieces - Wild Republic Polybag From the Manufacturer Realistic 6 piece set of durable plastic and PVC Africian Animals that let kids spark their imagination. Product Description This set of 6 animals comes in a 8x12 inch bag. Includes a cheetah, giraffe, lion, hippo, wart hog and elephant. Animals range in size from 5-7 inches.

African Animals - 3000 Piece Puzzle - Ravensburger These puzzles are a perfect way to relax after a long day or for family fun on a rainy day. The superiority of a Ravensburger puzzle is renowned. Be one of the millions to experience a whole new world of puzzling fun with Ravensburger quality products. Every one of our pieces is unique and fully interlocking. The quality is enhanced by the vast array of shapes made by our handcrafted tools - one of the many ways that Ravensburger shows its passion for excellence.

African Animals - 24 Piece Floor Puzzle - Ravensburger This African Animals Floor Puzzle features a serene Serengeti scene of zebras, monkeys, elephants and more. All Ravensburger puzzles are known for superior, piece-by-piece quality. Handmade cutting tools ensure that no two pieces are exactly alike. Made from special recycled paper board. 35 pieces. Measures approximately 8" x 11".

African Plains Jigsaw 24 pcs Puzzle - Melissa & Doug The African Plains Jigsaw Puzzle is part of the Wooden Jigsaw Puzzle collection where your child can create a bright, graphic design with 24 pieces. Each puzzle is made form solid-wood pieces that easily interlock and fit into a wooden tray. Appropriate for ages three and up. Colorful early childhood theme Twenty percent thicker than standard puzzles Designed for easy cleaning Ages 3 years and up Overall dimensions: 11.8" H x 8.8" W x 0.5" D

African Wildlife Playset - Folkmanis Out of Africa and into your heart comes this set of four finger puppets-Elephant, Lion, Giraffe, and Zebra. Slip them onto your fingers to create your very own wild kingdom! Set includes Elephant, Giraffe, Lion and Zebra finger puppets nestled in mesh bag.

GeoToys Africa & The Middle East GeoPuzzle Review by customer: "Took this product to Africa to share with African teachers, who had never done a jigsaw puzzle - ever! They loved it! Different colors of countries on puzzle makes it very appealing. Pieces were tough and thick. None were tiny. Some were small and for age 5 and under, could be lost if not careful. But the joy on their faces made it all worthwhile."

Lion Plush : 11 inch Stuffed Toy Animal - Cuddlekins 12 inch Lion stuffed toy animal by Wild Republic.

Zoo Animal Tote Bags - 12 Clear Vinyl Clear Vinyl Zoo Animal Tote Bags. Includes 3 1/2" vinyl handles and snap closure. 8 1/4" x 3" x 7"

For a complete, searchable list of all Toys and Games at amazon.com about Africa and African Animals, click on: African Toys and Games for Children (over 130 choices)

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BABY PRODUCTS FROM AFRICA

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Brief descriptions included for your convenience and to save you research time.

Africa's Best Kids Organic Shampoo Shea Butter 12 oz. Africa's Best Kids Organics Ultimate Moisture Extra Virgin Olive Oil Plus Shea Butter Conditioning Shampoo therapeutic herbal formula gently removes buildup and impurities, thoroughly cleansing the hair and scalp. Hair is left feeling squeaky clean, silky, more manageable and with an exhilarating, fresh smell. Enriched with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Shea Butter, hair receives a healthy boost of moisturizers that soften, condition and detangle.

Animal Rug - Out of Africa 100% Nylon, bacterial resistant, durable rug, with a bold color palette Spot clean using mild soap & water or dry powder rug cleaner. Not machine washable Made in Egypt

Huggbuggy Tucker the Giraffe Snuggle Blanket 17in H x 6.5in W x 16in L Polyester Blend - Satin Lining - Safe for all Ages Great for Snuggles in the car or in the playpen.

Out Of Africa Organic Shea Butter Bar Soap Like no other soap you have ever used. Calming and soothing, helps relieve stress. Essential oils from the sunny fields of Provence Our mild bar soap cleanses the skin without stripping it of moisture We use no harsh ingredients or dyes. All shea butters are not created equal. Enriched with 20% pure and unrefined shea butter. Rich in antioxidants and vitamins A, E, & F. Great for dry, sensitive and irritated skin, helps restore & maintain skin elasticity and tone, lasts 50% longer.

Savannah 6 Piece Baby Crib Bedding Set With its safari animal motif and warm color palette, this collection will take your little boy or girl right to the wilds of Africa!. The Savannah 6 Piece Embroidered Crib Bedding Set includes: quilt, bumper, dust ruffle, fitted sheet, diaper stacker, and valance. Fitted sheet (fits a standard size 28" x 52" crib mattress). Diaper stacker measures 12" x 25", and is 8.75" deep. Made from 100% Cotton, exclusive of decoration. Machine washable.

For a complete, searchable list of all Baby Products at amazon.com from and about Africa , click on: African Products for Babies (39 choices)

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BEAUTY PRODUCTS FROM AFRICA

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Brief descriptions included for your convenience and to save you research time.

African Pride Dream Kids Olive Miracle Creme Specially formulated for children and helps stop breakage, split ends, and dryness.

African Pride Magical Gro Herb 5.3 oz. Jar (Rejuvenating) We have discovered the Magical Herbal Gro Formula for your hair. This ancient African recipe contains the finest visible herbs, oils and natural ingredients. Each miracle ingredient helps create a strong, shiny head of hair and a healthy problem free scalp. Let Magical Gro rejuvenate your relaxed, color treated or natural hair.

African Shea Butter Cream 16 Oz. (100% Pure & Raw) & DuDu-Osun Black Soap (2 bars) 100% Natural and derived from the nut of the Karite Tree (The Tree of Life), which grows throughout West Africa. Our Shea Butter comes from a group of co-operative producers in Ghana, West Africa. The majority of the people in this area live on less than a dollar a day. So when you buy our Shea Butter, know that you are directly assisting needy families in Africa. It's therapeutic properties protect the skin from wind, cold, sun and it helps heal wounds faster. Shea butter stimulates cellular activity, fights the effects of aging and repairs rough, damaged skin.

Handmade Soap -South African Grapefruit with Moroccan Red Clay and Mango Butter 6 Oz Made with the finest all natural South African grapefruit essential oil and an olive oil base. With the addition of palm and avocado oils it not only makes this handmade soap smooth but has super creamy lather. Smooth to the touch and nourishing with moisturizing mango butter. Fruity citrus tones provide a clean, invigorating experience. Moroccan clay is a strong cleansing clay that draws excess oils from the skin and stimulates circulation.

Raw African Shea Butter Black Soap from Ghana - 1 Lb With 33% blend of Raw Shea Butter. comes wrapped in a food grade plastic bag.

For complete, searchable lists of all Beauty Products at amazon.com from Africa , click on: Africa Beauty Products (over 420 choices) African Beauty Products (over 1,540 choices)

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APPAREL AND ACCESSORIES FROM AFRICA

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Brief descriptions included for your convenience and to save you research time.

African Weave Scarf African design men's scarf. With these bright colors you are sure to make a splash. This same design is also available in a variety of sizes and styles.

Beaded Zebra Keychain - South Africa A zany zebra from the land of the Zulu. This key chain is a delightful example of South African wire art, the popular craft form created by children whose families couldn't afford to buy toys. Now a blossoming industry, wire art uses recycled and found materials to construct fun handicrafts that provide much needed income for hundreds of South Africans.

LRG New Era United Nations South Africa True Blue Fitted Hat Cover your dome while representing South Africa in this flat-billed New Era hat from LRG's United Nations collection! - New Era 59FIFTY fitted hat - exclusive to LRG LRG embroidery - Six panels with four eyelets Flat bill - Structured fit - Fitted Imported - 100% Cotton

Lot of 3 Pairs Womens Africa Ped Socks These socks are from Mamia. It comes in a pack of 3 pairs with jungle animal designs. White with giraffee , Dk grey with camel and Lt Grey with Tiger cat or Lion.

Mighty Fine Africa I Love You Rocks Black Juniors/Ladies T-shirt Tee Show how much you love Africa with this t-shirt.

For a complete, searchable list of all Apparel and Accessories at amazon.com from and about Africa , click on: African Apparel & Accessories (over 3,600 choices)

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AFRICAN JEWELRY - ALL AGES

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Brief descriptions included for your convenience and to save you research time.

2 Knot Elephant Hair Bracelet 2 Knot Elephant Hair Bracelet 2 Knot Elephant Hair Bracelet Thick, coarse elephant hair bracelets really well made, nice new rare 2 knot elephant hair bracelets made using THICK hair. The bracelets have sliding knots allowing them to open to a 3-1/2-inch diameter which should fit any size hand. This bracelet is personally made by FRANCIS CARY -who lives in HLUHLUWE in South Africa where this bracelet originates from. One size fits all -- however, if you have a very large or very small hand, please notify us.

African Turquoise Bead and Natural Dark Wood Beaded Bracelet A chunky bead bracelet is a great way to update your look. This one embraces an earthy beauty, with natural dark wood beads, in mixed sizes, paired with dyed African turquoise. The 7 1/2-inch stretch bracelet slips easily over the wrist for instant on-the-go style.

Fulani Earring Brass Gold 1.5" Crescent Hoop African Made Hand Forged Mali Africa Recognized for their poise and beauty, Fulani women are known for their large gold/brass earrings. These earrings are not reserved for special occasions, but they are part of their everyday style. These brass hoop earrings were hand forged by Fulani women and imported from Mali. Because each piece is hand crafted, they are each unique and may vary slightly from the photos. They may also vary slightly in size and weight.

Sterling Silver 15/16 in. (24mm) Tall Continent of Africa Pendant Very Well Made and it comes with a very thin 18" Sterling Silver Box Chain. It measures a little over 15/16" (24mm) Tall not including the bail.

Sterling Silver African Safari Zebra Striped Cuff Bracelet Allows you to accessorize with the up-and-coming trend of animal prints without the elaborate colors. This bracelet has a unique matte finished zebra print which is enclosed by a lustrous sterling silver band which widens at the front of the cuff, measuring 3/4 inch and becomes smaller at either end, which measures .5 inch so the bracelet will fit comfortable throughout the day. Our Safari collection has been continually growing, try our Precious Safari Silver & Gold CZ Ring to pair with this cuff.

For a complete, searchable list of all African Jewelry at amazon.com click on: African Jewelry (over 100 choices)

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MP3 DOWNLOADS OF AFRICAN MUSIC

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Brief descriptions included for your convenience and to save you research time.

Africa - mother earth African Tribal Orchestra.

African Scream Contest (Raw & Psychedelic Afro Sounds from Benin & Togo 70s) Review by customer: This is what happened when James Brown came to Africa and funk swept the continent. Of course, these guys put their own unique spin on it, and the result is sheer delight. You will find it physically impossible to hold still. Best of all, three of the tracks are by the Orchestre Poly-Rythmo, who have to be the ultimate funk outfit of all time. Check out track 10. It is hard to explain the addictive nature of this music.

Animals Of Africa Sounds Of The Jungle, Plain & Bush Plain and bush animals of Africa; Sounds of the Jungle. Review by customer: I was also looking for "jungle" music for a kids party and this was perfect -- lots of loud roars and very active. The tracks (one for each animal) are very short but the kids liked the constant switching to a new animal.

.	Tribal Chants, Drums, and Songs of Africa Drums and songs of Africa tribal chants.

West Africa Drum, Chant & Instrumental Music Review by customer: You really cannot go wrong with this cd. If you're the type of person to be looking for this sort of music to begin with, you will most certainly love this disc. I've had it since mid-late 2002 and it just keeps getting better.

For a complete, searchable list of all Mp3 Downloads of African Music at amazon.com, click on: African Music & Sounds (thousands of album choices)

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AFRICAN MUSIC and MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

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Brief descriptions included for your convenience and to save you research time.

Acoustic Africa This flowingly well-sequenced collection of semi-acoustic tracks, some of which have a smoothly mainstream FM-radio feeling while others are more roots-oriented, is just the thing to unwind. South African troubadour Vusi Mahlasela and Senegalese pop icon Diogal are heard to great effect, as are Congolese stars Faya Tess and Lokua Kanza, entwined in a lusciously Cuban-rumba-influenced duet.

Africa-50 Years of Music Customer review: From the sound quality, notations and packaging this is the definitive box set to understand the broad and wonderful styles of African music. With 16 hours of music I can't imagine the time it took to compile this package. There is something great in each song. The diversity of music styles and heartfelt music makes this collection a rare musical treat for those who appreciate great music whatever it may be.

African Dreamland Featuring new artists as well as longtime Putumayo favorites, African Dreamland is a great mix of talent for young ears. Well-known artists on this album include Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Toumani Diabaté and Samite. The sweet sound of newcomers Mapumba, from the Congo, and Chiwoniso, from Zimbabwe, are also featured.

African Voices: Songs of Life Customer review: The music is so uplifting and premeates with a positive feeling -- you can tell that the singers feel joy in living, and in life through the range of wonderful music; you want to go to their land, and be in their space. Wonderful!!! A must have!!!

8 Key West African Xylophone Balafon Balaphone - New! The Africa Heartwood Project 8 Key Xylophone from Ghana is great as a percussion instrument for children that allows freedom to explore and create. Handcrafted in Ghana in the traditional style of northern Ghana and Burkina Faso, this xylophone is a fully function but portable version of the instrument.

African Wicker Rattles Bambara Straw Baby Rattles used as a musical instrument in western culture as well as Africa. These rattles make a great gift for anyone with a small child. Totally hand made, multi-colored, and great for decoration as well as gifts. Each is hand made and varies slightly: approx. 5" tall. Made in Mali.

Atoke Bell Set - African Percussion Bells This family of atoke (ah-TOE-kay) bells forms part of Anlo-Ewe percussion ensemble music in Ghana, Togo, and Benin. Also known as the apitua (ah-PEE-too-ah), banana , and toke bell, the atoke bell is shaped like a canoe, and is traditionally played by resting in an open palm and striking the edges with a metal beater. The atoke also doubles as an effective dunun bell, by slipping it through the vertical ropes on a horizontally positioned dunun.

Meinl Nino African rope tuned wood djembe earth xxsmall Solid pc mahogany body - Hand selected goat hds High quality nylon ropes - Hand carved shells Attention to detail/grt sound

For a complete, searchable list of all African Music and Musical Instruments at amazon.com, click on: African Music (Over 1,200 choices) African Musical Instruments (89 choices)

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VHS'S ABOUT AFRICA and INSTANT VIDEOS ABOUT AFRICA/AFRICANS

VHS links are in blue and underlined. Click on them to get more information.
Brief descriptions included for your convenience and to save you research time.


• African Healing Dance [VHS]
In Africa, dance is much more than physical movement--it is a direct way to celebrate life and create healing. African Healing Dance is a step-by-step course on the healing tradition and expressive movements that are unique to Africa's dance heritage. From the movements of nature and everyday life, the tribal people of Africa developed specific dances to summon the energy of the world around them into their bodies for connection and healing. Through dancing, they became the bird and the wind, the fire and the serpent.

• African Queen (The) [VHS] (Starring Katherine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart - 1952)
It wasn't until he got to the Congo that the director, John Huston, realized what a funny picture The African Queen was going to be, thanks to the odd coupling of Bogie and Kate: "One brought out a vein of humor in the other, and this comic sense, which had been missing from the book and screenplay, grew out of our day-to-day shooting."

• Africa's Black Death (Cape Buffalo and Black Maned Lion) (VHS) (with Mark Sullivan)
Join professional hunter Mark Sullivan in Tanzania, East Africa as he hunts the Cape Buffalo and the Black Maned Lion.

• Graceland: African Tour [VHS] (with Paul Simon - 1986)
Amazon customer (LionGoRoar) review: This concert is a celebration of freedom, and the music is a celebration of truth. It is a joy to watch, and even if you're not a Paul Simon fan, you probably still won't be able to keep yourself from being moved -- either figuratively or literally: my friend (who's not a big Paul fan) said she couldn't stop dancing. Miriam Makeba -- who had been in exile from her homeland for 27 years because of her political beliefs -- has an inspired presence, as does Hugh Masakela -- also a political exile. Ladysmith Black Mambazo is both a force to be reckoned with and a perfect example of gentle humility. All the "back-up" players are astounding, and Paul is as full of love and humility and sincerity as he could possibly be.

• Manhunt in the African Jungle [VHS] (Starring Rod Cameron - 1943)
Amazon customer (Kevin Pohl) review: Serials were never known for great acting, writing or much of anything else. However there are excetions to the rule, and this is one of them. The plot may not be the freshest, and the nazis are about as stereotypical as they come, but some of the ideas that the writers came up with are quite amusing. I especially enjoyed the fake German graveyard in Morrocco loaded with explosives. Also, predictable as every fight scene is, the stunt coordinators and cameramen went out of their way to let everything look just a little bit different (my dad's got about forty serials, and Manhunt has by far the best fights of any of them, it's also in the top five for most amusing cliffhangers). No other serial has the actors fighting at the camera (pardon the grammar, but there's no other way to put it). The sets are also quite remarkable in that a large number of items are placed around for the actors to use. Again don't be looking for a great story or good acting. Just sit back and enjoy what passed for gratuitous violence in the 1940s. It's definitely a winner.

• National Geographic's Last Feast of the Crocodiles [VHS]
In the daily struggle for survival, terrible thirst drives wildlife to water...even when the water is just inches away from the jaws of a crocodile. During one harsh season, a punishing drought draws some of Africa's most magnificent creatures to the shrinking pools of the Luvuvhu River. Its dwindling waters provide relief for baboons, impala, elephants, lions, water birds and bee-eaters - but also a refuge for scores of hungry crocodiles. Amidst the stunning scenes of nature at its harshest, strange things happen. A baby crocodile basks on top of a hippopotamus. Baboons attack a crocodile that has taken a youngster from the troop. Crocodiles harass a heron and steal its hard-won catch. And hippos calmly wade into the middle of a crocodile feeding frenzy. But the power of nature and her relentless drought may prove greater than even that of the most fearsome beasts. This cruel season may turn out to be the LAST FEAST OF THE CROCODILES.

• Queen Latifah Presents Mama Africa [VHS] (2002)
Amazon review by Kathleen C. Fennessy: Few feature-length African films get released in the U.S., so it's rare indeed to get to see worthy short films from that vast continent. Mama Africa consists of three such films--all directed by women--and actress-musician Queen Latifah introduces each one. The first, Bridget Pickering's "Uno's World," is from Namibia and centers around Uno (Sophie David), a 25-year-old party girl who falls for a commitment-shy criminal and gives birth to his child. Ngozi Onwurah's "Hang Time" is from Nigeria and concerns poor but promising basketball player Kwami (Brian Birogi), who makes a Faustian deal for a new pair of sneakers. Lastly, Zulfah Otto-Sullies's "Raya," from South Africa, portrays the difficulties facing a single mother attempting to go straight after a stint in prison. All three films present universally difficult moral quandaries that aren't always satisfactorily resolved, but are well acted by talented performers.

For complete, searchable lists of all VHS's and Instant Videos about Africa at amazon.com, click on: VHS's About Africa (Over 120 choices) Instant Videos About Africa (over 100 choices)

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VIDEO GAMES ABOUT AFRICA

Video Game links are in blue and underlined. Click on them to get more information.
Brief descriptions included for your convenience and to save you research time.

• Africa Trail
Experience the diverse people and cultures of Africa! Take an adventure through Africa's history, geography, and culture as you challenge the actual 12,000-mile world-record setting bike trek. You get to make critical decisions as you plan and execute your trip.

• Madagascar 2:Escape 2 Africa
Rediscover each character's unique abilities & combat skills, learning new & special moves along the way.
Experience a wide range of fresh, exciting game play as you work through 12 distinct levels & numerous mini-games featuring a variety of quests that include swimming, driving, racing, playing soccer, & safari photography.
Non-linear structure - each evolving level takes you on missions that offer platforming, exploration, collection & combat challenges.
Game exclusive environments including the Watering Hole, the African Jungle & Savannah, the Hippo Mud Pit, the Volcano, & an open area that's been expanded for the game.
Twice as many multiplayer mini-games than before as you team up to overcome enemies or challenge each other in the enhanced tournament mode.

• SimAnimals Africa
Amazon customer (D. Clemons) review: This is like any SIMS game only with Animals that can be found in Africa (Zebra, elephants, etc). You befriend and feed/water them, etc. I bought this for my house so when my grand daughter (8 years old) comes to visit, well she did and we played until 3:00 A.M. Needless we both really like this game! Very adicting!

• Safari Photo Africa: Wild Earth
Become a photographer on a breathtaking safarithrough Africa!Product InformationIn Safari Photo Africa: Wild Earth you play as a photojournalist assigned tophotograph animals in Africa. The photos will accompany articles and must be ofhigh quality and capture the subject matter exactly as assigned. All photographsare stored in a portfolio which can be reorganized and saved on the user'scomputer as html files. Safari Photo Africa is a first person point andclick game adventure/simulation. Photo assignments include a family ofelephants a nighttime photo shoot of a pride of lions and a helicopter rideacross the Ngorongoro crater.Product Features Snap store and share your favorite pictures with friends and family. Use your creativity to capture stunning photos of each animal. Contribute your images to wild earth articles after each mission. Embark upon an unforgettable safari in Africa. Discover beautiful majestic animals rendered in lifelike detail.

• Wild Earth Africa (PC-CD) African Safari Photo Taking Game Animal Planet
Product Features
* Explore 8 different locations of the Serengeti
* Get close to the animals such as Lions and Crocodiles, but not too close!.
* Follow your assignments and take pictures, or catch animals doing unusual things for bonus points
* Take to the skies in a helicopter to see landscapes from a fresh new angle
* Jump in the back of a jeep and discover hard to reach parts of the Serengeti
* Go on a night time hunt for a lion pride, but don't become their prey!
* Enter a hidden valley and observe gentle giraffes and black and white rhinos
* Meet a family of elephants as they care for their young
* Race down a rushing river to get as close to Nile Crocodiles as you dare!

• Wild Earth: African Safari
Amazon customer (Yoda OK) review: My 9-year-old daughter received this game for her Birthday. She loves the game. It also goes along with what they are studying in school as they are studying Africa in Social Studies right now. The graphics are good and there are lots of different animals to find and discover. The sounds of the animals are also good and their actions are kind of fun to watch too (espicially if you get too close to them). I would say this game is good for the 5-10 year old range. For kids younger than that, the controls might be a bit too difficult and finding some of the animals may get too frustrating. For kids older than that, I think they would probably get bored with the game unless they are really into animals. The missions take you to different areas of Africa where you need to find certain animals and take pictures of them to go into the final report. The final report is very informative, but I don't think most kids will even bother reading it. The mini games are cute, but pretty simple. Overall a good game for the age range it is intended for.

For a complete, searchable list of all Video Games about Africa at amazon.com, click on: Video Games About Africa (37 choices)

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ONLINE LINKS TO AFRICAN FOLKTALES/INFORMATION FOR CHILDREN;
includes CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES

Online links are in blue and underlined. Click on them to get more information.
To retell any stories, obtain permission from the copyright holder if the material is not in the public domain.
Brief descriptions included for your convenience to save you research time.

• http://africa.mrdonn.org/fables.html
African Folktales & Fables - posted by africa.mrdonn.org. Includes Bee-ware from Bee-hind; Why Anansi Has Eight Thin Legs; The Lion's Whisker; The Most Ancient Race, the San People; The Chief Who Was No Fool; Spider and the Honey Tree; Black Snake and the Eggs; The Elephant Tusk; King's Crown; Gullah Tales; Two Ways to Count to Ten; Tales of Wonder; Can Teach - Zulu Tales; Nigerian Tales and Fables; The Griots; Ancient African Proverbs. Also has links to free video clips, free games about Africa, free presentations in PowerPoint format, and free clip art.

• http://worldoftales.com/African_folktales.html
World of Tales - Stories for children, folktales, fairy tales and fables from around the world.
Welcome to the African folktales page! - posted by worldoftales.com. Includes Clever Jackal Gets Away; Lion and Jackal; The Man Who Never Lied; Why the Cheetah's Cheeks are Stained; Why the Warthog Goes About on His Knees; The Grasshopper and the Toad; The Red and Blue Coat; The Two Friends; The Leopard Man; and Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky.

• http://www.allfolktales.com/folktales.php
All FolkTales / Folktales from West Africa - posted by allfolktales.com. Includes The Tortoise and the Lizard; The Tortoise Goes to a Feast in the Sky; The Dog Hides His Mother; How the Tortoise Became Bald; Ijapa and the Medicine Soup; The Tortoise Captures the Elephant; The Creation of the World: A Yoruba Myth; The Tortoise and the Drum; The Tortoise and the Elephant; The Tortoise,the Dog and the Farmer; The Lost Heir; The Three Brothers and the Pot of Porridge; The Tortoise and the Wisdom of the World; How the Chimpanzee's Bottom Got Swollen and Red; How the Chipmunk Got Its Stripes; Kiigbo Kiigba and the Helpful Spirits; Two Sisters and an Old Man; Oluronbi; Ananse and the Pot of Wisdom; Kweku Ananse Outsmarts Himself; The Tortoise and the Princess Who Never Speaks; A Bird Steals Iyawo's Baby; The Farmer's Son Becomes a Hunter; The Monster Who Had Fire; How Olomuroro made Children Thin; The Stolen Soup Aroma; Tortoise and the Igbako; Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears; Tortoise and Hare - A West African Tale; and One Man and His Precious Cow. Brief bones are presented for each story.

• http://pbskids.org/africa/tale/index.html
Swahili Folktale - posted by pbskids.org. You may read or listen to this story about Swahili Prince Sadaka. To find his brothers, he has to complete three tests and YOU can help him. The first test is on the fifth page. Includes My World; Thumb Piano Tunes; Make a Mask; Teacher Tools.

• http://www.phillipmartin.info/liberia/text_folktales_intro.htm
African FolkTales - posted by phillipmartin.info. Excerpt: Stories from Africa were traditionally passed down by word of mouth. Often they were told by the light of the moon around a village fire after the completion of a long day of work. The stories rarely ended with the words we so often heard as children when our parents told us bedtime stories -- "and they all lived happily ever after". Most stories didn't end happily ever after. Usually the stories taught a lesson, and frequently, the selfish person learned that lesson the hard way... Included here are three folk tales collected in Liberia: Spider and the Honey Tree; Black Snake and the Eggs; The Chief Who Was No Fool. Each has a coloring sheet to go with it. Each is a short skit/play with many characters.

• http://www.africa.upenn.edu/K-12/lessonplans.html
K-12 Electronic Guide for African Resources on the Internet - African Studies Center: University of Pennsylvania - posted by africa.upenn.edu. Includes K-12 Online Resources for Teaching; Lesson Plans and Teaching Strategies; News Groups and Mailing Lists; Online Activities; Social Studies School Services; Lesson Bank; Lesson Plans & Curriculum Ideas; Cool Teaching Lessons; and General. Information about specific countries and their languages and environments.

• http://ruafrica.rutgers.edu/resources/lesson_plans.html
Center for African Studies from Rutgers University School of Arts and Sciences - posted by ruafrica.rutgers.edu. "Fun and Interesting Lesson Plans on Africa" includes links to lesson plans from CIVITAS (New Jersey); PBS (cross-curriclar lessons for grades 3-12); Journey with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Wonders of the African World; Michigan State University; University of Indiana; Ancient Egypt; Gender and Cultural Contact in South africa; Universtiy of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; and World History Connected.

• http://www-sul.stanford.edu/depts/ssrg/africa/africaneducation/teaching-africa-K12.html
Africa: South of the Sahara - Teaching about africa for K-12 - posted by sul.stanford.edu. Includes dozens of links to websites about Africa, including PBS, National Geographic; Absolutely Whootie; Africa Access (children's literature on Africa); Africa Center in Colorado; Africa: One Continent, Many Worlds; Africa Speaks; African History for K-12 Classes; BBC: Africa Across the Continent and The Story of Africa; Cobblestone Publishing Company; Cosmos Education; ePALS: Classroom Exchange; Experience Africa; Global Link - Africa; Google Earth; K-12 Electronic Guide for Online African Resources; Kennedy Centeer for the Performing Arts: African Odyssey; Maps; Motherland Nigeria; Mountain Voices, PBS Teachers; Peace Corps - Water in Africa, and much more.

• http://www.calacademy.org/exhibits/africa/discover/classroom/
Discover Africa: Classroom Ideas - posted by calacdemy.org.
Excerpt: This series of classroom ideas is designed to help young people develop an appreciation and respect for African peoples, their communities throughout the world, and the natural riches of the African continent....
Includes Map of Africa, Natural History, Geography and Culture, Family Traditions, Role of Masks, Making a Living & Leisure Activities, Healing Art, Making Peace, Origins and Identity, The Meaning of Rock Art, Spiritual Power of Symbols, Community & Architecture, and bibliographies of African People and African Animals plus African photos.

• http://africa.mrdonn.org/lessonplans.html
Africa: Lesson Plans for Teachers - posted by africa.mrdonn.org. Includes Lessons for African Kingdoms; AFRICA - It's Not a Country; Origin: Out of Africa; Let My People Go, 1619-1865; Up from Bondage, 1866-1939; Out of Africa A Fourth Grade Interdisciplinary UNIT; Passport to Africa UNIT; A Celebration of Africa UNIT; West Africa (several); Central and East Africa (several); many lesson plans. Extremely comprehensive, covering all parts of Africa. Free Video Clips; Free Games About Africa; and Free Clip Art. Excellent source.

• http://ccs.clarityconnect.com/NRiggs/AfricanFolktales.html
African Folktales - posted by ccs.clarityconnect.com. Includes Nigeria (thematic), South Africa (dozens), Zulu, Liberia (Spider and the Honey Tree; Black Snake and the Eggs; The Chief Who Was No Fool) and from West Africa (Anansi Goes Fishing; The Gift of a Cowtail Switch; Why Turtle Lives in Water; One Good Meal Deserves Another). The Snake and the Frog also included. Very comprehensive site with many dynamic stories.

• http://www.mccsc.edu/~kmcglaun/mythology/folktales.htm
Jackson Creek Middle School African Folktales - posted by mccsc.edu. Includes The Strange Creature: A Story from Zimbabwe; Guinea Fowl Child; African Creation Stories; Folk Stories from Southern Nigeria by Ephinstone Dayrell (1910); Folktales from Nigeria; Andrew Lang's Fairytale Books; Myths and Legends of the Bantu by Alice Werner (1933); Spirit of the Trees: African Folklore; South African Folktales by James A. Honey (1910); and Kaffir Folklore by George McCall Theal (1886).

• http://www.allfolktales.com/folktales.php
All FolkTales: African Myths & Folk Tales - posted by allfolktales.com. Text for 30 folktales with brief descriptions to help you navigate.

• http://learningtogive.org/lessons/unit226/lesson11.html
African Folktales: Lesson 11: Generosity of Spirit Folktales - posted by learningtogive.org.
Excerpt: "Lesson plan purpose: Sometimes it is wise to follow the advice of others and at other times it will only bring disaster. To know when to obey can be the problem. This lesson will focus on stories from South Africa, Morocco and Nigeria and character traits valued in those cultures...two 55-minute class periods.
Objectives: The learner will:
• use the geographic themes of location and place to describe settings and cultures represented in folktales.
• identify the type of folktales represented by the stories.
• recognize and describe character traits that are valued in the culture.
• explain how folktales teach.
• determine when to follow the directions of others and when to disregard them.
• describe why it is never too late to show gratitude for a kindness."

• http://folkloreandmyth.netfirms.com/africa.html
Folktales From Africa - posted by folkloreandmyth.netfirms.com. Includes full text for The Disobedient Daughter Who Married a Skull; The Leopard Man; The Story of Hlakanyana; Why the Cat Kills Rats; and The Jackal and the Farmer.

• http://www.gatewaytotheclassics.com/display.php?author=barker&book=folktales&story=_contents
West African FolkTales by William H.Barker - posted by gatewaytotheclassics.com. 36 stories from West Africa, including Anansi and Nothing; Why the Lizard Continually Moves His Head Up and Down; Tit for Tat; Why White Ants Always Harm Man's Propery; and The Squirrel and the Spider.

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SOS - SEARCHING OUT STORIES AND INFORMATION ABOUT AFRICA - AFRICAN STORIES
Advice, Comments and References from Storytellers, Teachers and Librarians
(excerpts from Storytell posts plus original research)

Book titles and online links are in blue and underlined. Click on them to get more information.
Story and song titles are in quotation marks.
To retell any stories, obtain permission from the copyright holder if the material is not in the public domain.
Posts are added chronologically as they are received by Story Lovers World. No attributions prior to 2005.

1) You can have students design kente cloth and actually weave strips of the different colors through black paper, design an African mask, collect leaves and put them in a plastic bag overnight, dew or water sets on them and shows how the humid weather makes some moisture on the leaves for them to suck, science experiment I found in Susan Millard book. Story I like best is "Why Frog and Snake Don't Play Together." Be careful about asking them if they could think of another ending. Last time I told it someone said the frog could jump on the snake and bite off the snake's head. See what TV message gets to the kids.


2) I am not sure if any of these will work for your needs but take a look.
Click here: CCC - Multicultural Sample Unit 2 - Suggested Activities - School District of Philadelphia Curriculum

SCORE Teacher Guide: African Folktales
http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/afolk/afolktg.html

Activities for African Folk Tales (Lesson Plan)
http://www.teachervision.com/lesson-plans/lesson-3721.html

CIMC Integrated Units: "Anansi the Spider"
http://libweb.uncc.edu/cimc/integration/Units/Anansi.htm

Ghana: Welcome to KidsGardening! Garden Resources, Gardening for Families, Teacher's Garden and Shopping for Gardening
http://www.kidsgardening.com/ambassador/ghana00/theme5.asp


3) There is a brief reference to a story called "One Stick, Two Stick" in Women Who Run with the Wolves. It is an African story (what country it does not say). Basically an old king calls all his people together and has them each take a stick, then try to break it. Alone each person can be easily broken. Then each person takes another stick, then puts them together in bundles of 2 or 3. Of course, no one can break them. When we stand together we cannot be broken.

4) The story of "The King's Drum" from The King's Drum and Other African Stories, Harold Courlander 1962 and reprinted in: A Treasury of African Folklore: The Oral Literature, Traditions, Myths, Legends, Epics, Tales, Recollections, Wisdom, Sayings, and Humor of Africa by Harold Courlander, Marlowe & Company 1996.

As far as compilations of oral literature from subsaharan Africa goes, this is one of the best. The problem is there aren't very good ones to compare it too. The translations are weak, in that they are vague and incomplete. The author reduces the African stories to the simplest sentences in order to be as brief as possible. Surely the story teller, in story telling mode, were more eloquent and elaborate. However, this is lost because the book is more concerned with giving accounts of numerous African stories rather than giving detailed accounts of just several.

Also, the colonial mentality of the author, though not as severe as his European contemporaries in the early 20th century, shines through. Thus even by around 1972, when this compilation was completed it was largely based on stories collected and written by the author and other European oral collectors decades earlier, during colonialism.

Bones:
The King's Drum
The King wants to hold court, but it takes everyone a long time to get there - the news spreads too slowly. Anansi's idea is to make a special drum. When the royal drum is heard, everyone must come at once. Work squads are formed, and everyone has a turn at making the drum. But Anansi sees that Monkey is shirking. When the drum is made, none of the animals want to be the one who has to carry it. Everyone suggests someone else. Anansi suggests that since no-one wants to carry it, that the laziest of all should carry it. All eyes gradually turn to Monkey. Monkey states emphatically that under no circumstances would he ever carry the drum. "But no-one asked you to..." Monkey's own refusal revealed him to be the laziest, so it's his own fault that he now has to carry the drum. Serves him right, the little tyke.

5) One of the highlights of my trip to the Okavango Delta in Botswana was hearing some traditional African stories. On the second night in camp, Thaba (the main mokoro guide and headman of the village 300 yards away from our camp) brought over his homemade setekane (thumb piano or mbira) and started playing it. After he stopped, I told him I knew a story about hyena and a mbira and told a version of "The dancing hyena". He got a huge smile and then told us this story about zebra, crocodile, hyena, and hare. It's one I had never heard before. I've tried to leave much of the story in his words.

And for the next 2 days, if there was a quiet spell while watching animals from cover of the reeds in the water, he would pole his mokoro closer to the one I was riding in so we could share more stories.

Thaba’s story of "Zebra and Crocodile":

A long time ago zebra and crocodile both lived in the bush. One day zebra went to drive water in the river. Crocodile saw her and said, “You are beautiful.”

Zebras drink once a day and live far away in the hot desert. The next day when zebra came to drink water again in the river, crocodile said, “Let’s get married.”

“But there’s a problem,” zebra said. “I live in the desert and I don’t want to live in the water.”

Crocodile said, “No problem, I’ll move with you into the desert.” Crocodile crawled out of the water and set off walking next to zebra into the desert. By 10 o’clock it’s hot and crocodile starts panting. By 11 o’clock, crocodile was very hot. He stopped and said “Enough!”

Zebra said, “My home still far away in the desert. It’s still a long walk.”

Crocodile said, “I’m not walking any more.” So Zebra said goodbye and left him behind.

Along came hare. Hare saw how hot and miserable crocodile was and told him to bury himself in the sand under an umbrella tree while he runs off to bring help. Hare dashed off to get hyena.

Hare asked, “Hyena, why don’t you carry crocodile back down to the river and put him in the water ? If you leave him there for 25 minutes, then he’ll be done. Then you will have a big meal.”

Hyena said, “I want to eat him now, he’s my crock pot, ready to go.”

Hare said, “No, that won’t work. He’s too dry. Do what I say and carry him back to the river.”

So Hyena picked up the crocodile and he walked and he walked and he walked -- all the way back to the river. But crocodile was very heavy and he kept slipping. Hyena slung him over his back and kept on pushing him up, pushing him up, pushing him up with his front legs.

Finally hyena arrived at the river and he laid crocodile back into the water.

Hare told hyena, “Come back in 25 minutes, I’ll watch over crocodile and I’ll make sure he is done.” Hyena left, planning on coming back when his meal is ready.

But Hare asked crocodile, “Are you okay? If you are – go, go. Leave now while you can.” And crocodile swam off.

When hyena came back, he asked, “Where’s my dinner? Where did crocodile go?”

Hare said, “He is gone, he swam away.”

And that’s why hyena’s front legs are so much longer than his back ones.
Batsy B. 8/19/09

6) Rene Guillot's African Folk Tales - Rene Guillot, illus. by Wm. Papas, selected and translated by Gwen Marsh. (1965).

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Created 2005; last update 4/17/11