Yoruba Trickster Tales »

Oyekan Owomoyela is the author of African Literatures: An Introduction and the editor of A History of Twentieth-Century African Literatures (Nebraska 1993).

Yoruba Trickster Tales come out of the tradition of evening storytelling, a popular form of entertainment in traditional African societies. A favorite genre among these folktales is the trickster tale, variations of which are found in many cultures around the world. Among the Yoruba of West Africa (mostly in western Nigeria but also in neighboring Bénin), the trickster character is Àjàpá, the tortoise. The repertory of tales about him is seemingly inexhaustible. In this volume Oyekan Owomoyela offers a representative gathering of twenty-three Yoruba trickster tales. Àjàpá is notable for his strikingly human habits, abilities, weaknesses, moods, and disposition. We discover different aspects of Àjàpá in these tales, including his vanity and resourcefulness, his appetites and playfulness, and his amusing relations with his friends. As we read through these entertaining stories, we gain a many-sided view of this fascinating character and the spirited world in which he lives. These tales of the trickster Àjàpá will appeal to readers of all ages, learned and not so-even as they introduce us to a vital folk culture.

Library Journal

The trickster, embodied in a nonhuman animal form, has certain human traits, including vanity and resourcefulness, that allow him to "trick" friends and foes in pursuit of his goals. The trickster folktale is usually part of a "talk story" tradition told around a campfire or kitchen table. In Owomoyela's (English, Univ. of Nebraska) series of 23 tales, the main character is `Aj'ap'a, a tortoise with human traits, strengths, and weaknesses who gets involved in relationships with animal and human figures. These tales introduce the folk culture of the Yorubas of West Africa. In contrast, Sneve, who has written Native American histories for young readers, here writes about Iktomi, the trickster from the Lakota legends, and Troll, a figure from Norse mythology. Troll is separated from his family while crossing the American Great Plains. The indomitable trickster discovers that he also has lost his people. When their "tribes" are found, neither Iktomi nor Troll are recognized or accepted. As a result, the Troll and the Trickster become "necessary" companions. Eventually, they are rediscovered and welcomed by their peoples. Sneve attempts to inspire here a spirit of cooperation and respect for the cultural traditions of others. Both works contain helpful glossaries. Recommended for multicultural and folklore collections.Vicki Leslie Toy Smith, Univ. of Nevada, Reno