By Damiete Braide
Ndeoshimili Folktales, Adaobi Whyte, Pearl Publishers International Limited, pg. 143, 2023
Born into the typical African family in Ndoni, Ndeoshimili region of the lower Niger, Adaobi Whyte has her lifeline immersed into the reconciliation of the Ndoni culture spreading its tentacles as far as resources would permit.
Whyte, 86, handicapped and on crutches, has not let her challenge weigh her down but has turned into her inner self to reflect on the origins that made her a true and prominent daughter of the Ndoni people.
Burrowed deep in her upbringing and the discipline of her first home school, where folktale was the major focus, she offers this book, Ndeoshimili Folktales, as a result of the countless folktale classes she attended at the young age of 11, encapsulating her dedication to culture and tribe.
The book speaks of the role folktales play in the African setting. These stories are recounted from one generation to the next by word of mouth under a moonlit night. This setup is usually meant to prepare young ones for life ahead.
Nature, its flora and fauna resonate mostly in these stories. Sometimes, these elements are accorded human attributes and characteristics, which makes the tales relatable and unforgettable.
The author in this book relives memories of her childhood in the early 1940s where she would sit with other children and their families to be entertained by stories that tickled the imagination.