TALES BY TEA
Storytelling is a big part of how our forebears entertained and educated their communities about life and its lessons. On this page are selections from one of my ongoing projects; Tales by Tea, which focuses on using culture; particularly folktales, from the diverse Black communities to entertain while educating us about each other. Our stories past and present are the foundations on which we build ourselves and thought we are different, we can realize our similarities if we are willing to learn.
Marylin is any mothers nightmare because she refuses to listen. One day she disappears and does not get home after dark. Mind you, there is an imposed 6pm curfew for the fear of the supernatural in her town yet all Marilyn wants to do is play. She has no idea that her play partners are actually Douens. Douens are believed to be the spirits of children who died before they were christened. Will she survive the experience? Let's find out what her mother ends up doing to get her back. Enjoy!
Marilyn & the Douens
Folktale country of origin: Trinidad and Tobago
Storyteller/ Videography: Ms. Antonia Thomas
Director/Producer/ editor/ sound: Yayra Tamakloe (self)
I chose this project to showcase my ability to work with people remotely and still produce work successfully.
In this Nigerian folklore, we are told a version of how the tortoise ended up with cracks in his shell. When a famine hits, all but the dog offer up their mothers as food to the bigger animals in exchange for their lives. Messed up right? Well tortoise finds our dogs’ secret and he makes a decision which he pays for dearly.
The Nosy Tortoise
Folktale country of origin: Nigeria (Yoruba)
Storyteller: Ms. Fehintolu Adebanjo
Director/Producer/ Videographer/ Post production: Yayra Tamakloe (self)
I chose this work to showcase my ability to be versatile and wear as many hats as possible to make sure a project is successfully executed.
In this African-American folktale told by Taunya Bickerstaff-Young, Brer Fox and Brer Bear have been trying to catch Brer Rabbit for such a long time. Brer Fox come sup with the idea to create a tar baby to catch Brer Rabbit. Rabbit falls into the trap but his smarts gets him out of it starting the chase all over again. Sometimes in life, all we need to be is a little smart or maybe a LOT smart. Enjoy
Brer Rabbit & the Tar Baby
Folktale country of origin: USA
Storyteller: Mrs. Taunya Bickerstaff-Young
Videographer: Joseph Young
Director/Producer/ Post production: Yayra Tamakloe (self)
I chose this work to demonstrate my ability to engage with demographics outside mine. In this particular instance being able to productively collaborate with a seasoned educator to share folktales from her culture.
The world needs to find Ananse and reprimand him seriously because he is the reason wisdom is not evenly distributed in this world.When he decided to hoard all the wisdom for himself only to realize he left some with his son, he makes a drastic decision which affects how wise people become. He is the reason some people are wise and others not so much.