Footsteps articles

Recent articles from Footsteps

Spider tales from Africa.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... For centuries, the Ashanti children of West Africa have heard stories about a witty spider named Anansi who is always up to no good. In one tale, Anansi eats his way into a melon, making fools out of Elephant, Hippo, and the other animals who believe the melon can talk. In another story,...

How Anansi got his stories.(Short story)
May 1, 2006... One day, Anansi the spider came upon Brother Tiger devouring his lunch of gungo peas, and rice. "Hello there, Brother Tiger," Anansi said, rubbing his black belly. "Would you spare some peas for a hungry friend?" Brother Tiger let out a loud belly laugh. A gungo pea flew into...

Anansi strikes again.(Puppet making)
May 1, 2006... Now you can stage your own Anansi tale! Follow the directions below to create Anansi and Brother Snake puppets. Then, bring them to life in your home or classroom. For the Anansi Puppet You need: * yarn or curling ribbon * scissors * small, disposable plastic container,...

Tales and lore.
May 1, 2006... Once upon a time, long before the days of television, DVDs, computers, and MP3s, people used a broad range of creative tools to teach and entertain. These methods included "folklore," which means the teachings (lore) of a group of people (folk). For folklore to survive, it must be told and...

Trickster tales.(oral tradition)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... When enslaved Africans were forcefully brought to the United States and the Caribbean, they still carried their cultures and customs within themselves. One important custom they passed down from generation to generation was the oral tradition. The oral, or spoken, tradition has many...