African Food and Art

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Jaja the Greedy Hunter African Folklore

Jaja the Greedy Hunter African Folklore

African folklore enlightens mists of forgotten centuries.




Folklore storytelling is the most ancient art form of the African Community. Just as someone expresses their ideas and the form of music, painting, dance and sculpture folklore takes the ideas of an ancient story and creates with words a picture that enchants the listener with a rich auditory environment.

Many African people are born storytellers and spend many long hours practicing their art. Not everyone can acquire the art of folklore storytelling imagery, but for the beginner one should think of folklore storytelling as a heritage passed on from traditional storytellers and dig deep within the ancient storyteller that lies within us all.

Time and effort must be given to becoming an African folklore storyteller, just as any artist must give time and effort to developing their skill. African folklore storytelling can turn a shy awkward self-conscious boy or girl into storytellers who captivate and win the heart of their listeners.

African folklore storytelling can help those afraid of public speaking by relating the value of the story and discover the roots within themselves on how to tell a story like a skilled craftsperson.


Greedy Jaja and his friend Tutu, African folklore hunting story teach if you take credit for someone else’s hard work something bad will happen to you that you deserve. Greedy deceitful people always get their just desserts in the end as African folklore explains.


Jaja the Greedy Hunter African Folklore


Jaja the Greedy Hunter African Folklore



As the elders say, Jaja and Tutu arranged to go hunting together. They took with them their guns, dogs, and ten huntsmen’s.

The dogs entered the bush and chased an animal which Tutu fired at and killed. Then up ran Jaja shouting: "It is mine, it is mine!"

"No," said Tutu; "I killed it!"

"It is mine!" yelled Jaja.

Although the huntsmen tried to argue with Jaja, he would not listen, but only shouted more loudly: "It is mine! It is mine! It is mine!"

At last, Tutu gave in, and so this is the way it went every time they went hunting, the greedy Jaja always cheated Tutu out of his game by his loud blustering cry "It is mine! It is mine! It is mine!"

One day, while hunting, Tutu accidentally shot the chief huntsman and no sooner did Jaja hear the shot of the gun, he came running and shouting, "It is mine! It is mine! It is mine!" I shot it!" But, on drawing near and seeing the dead body of the chief huntsman, Jaja said to Tutu, "It is yours."

"No," replied Tutu, "you have said 'It is mine' every time I have killed game, and now this is yours also." 

They talked long and loudly about the matter, and at last, they laid the case before the elders in the village.

The elders said to Jaja, "Yes, it is yours. You have claimed everything before, now take this also, and bury the body properly, and pay all the expenses of the funeral."

There are many people like Jaja, who take all the credit to themselves, and leave the blame to others.
Links to more African Folklore

African folklore teaches lessons used in everyday life.


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