Afro Tales Podcast

Today we find ourselves in the South. We meet a snake who is having a seriously bad time and looking for a way to improve his lot in life. His wife makes a suggestion and he takes it. The only problem his new blessing is harming the rest of the animal kingdom. What will they do to fix the problem? Only one way to find out.  Book: Talk that Talk Retold By: Julius Lester Edited By:  Linda Goss/Maria...

Today we find ourselves on the east coast. We receive a story about a beautiful crow and what it does to save its friends. Although we do not know whose story it is, we do know it is a very good story. So sit back, relax and listen.  Book: Rainbow Crow Retold By Nancy Van Laan ****Why this story is not considered Nanticoke/Lenape**** https://nanticokelenapemuseum.org/learning-center/curriculum-gui...

Today we find ourselves in Minnesota. As we venture we meet the Ojibwe people and listen to their story of the Star Maiden and how she blessed us with her beauty. Come take a listen and honor this beautiful woman.  Book: The Star Maiden Retold By Barbara Juster Esbensen Chef, has served up a savory dish. We are having Ojibwe Fish Cakes. This is a pleasure to make in the Galley just for you and I h...

Today we find ourselves in Maryland. We meet a man larger than life and living in a time when being that way made you a slave to other men. Big Sixteen is here and we have just a few of his many adventures.  Book: Big Sixteen Retold By Mary Calhoun Chef, has served up a savory dish. We are having Crispy Maryland Blue Catfish. This is a pleasure to make in the Galley just for you and I hope you enj...

Today we find ourselves in Virginia. We meet Mz Hattie and find that she has been living alone for quite some time. Dealing with the change in weather and the pest she soon gets a visitor who can help her with her problem. Will this new visitor stay for a while or leave as soon as the job is done? only one way to find out.  Book: Her Stories By Virginia Hamilton Chef, has served up a savory dish....

Today we find ourselves in North Carolina. We meet Papa John and Jake and get a story that only ya Papa would tell. Now if the story is true or not that is up to you. But If Papa John said it happened I would bet that it did.  Book:The People Could Fly By Virginia Hamilton Chef, has served up a savory dish. We are having Turnip Curry. This is a pleasure to make in the Galley just for you and I hop...

Today we find ourselves in South Carolina. We meet one the most esteemed characters in African American folklore. High John the Conqueror and we see how his wit and intelligence allows him to get over on ole’ Massa.    Book: The Adventures of High John the Conqueror By Steve Sanfield Chef, has served up a sweet side dish. We are having Sweet Carolina Cornbread. This is a pleasure to make in the Ga...

Today we find ourselves in the Holiday Season. We meet some children who are having a very different Christmas. Although many people think they have it rough during this time of year there are those that have it much worse.  Book: A Treasury of African American Christmas Stories By Bettye Collier-Thomas Story: The Children’s Christmas by Alice Moore Dunbar Chef, has served up a sweet side dish. We...

Today we find ourselves in Georgia. We are back with the animal tales from the Gullah Geechee people. First bruh rabbit is up to his old tricks and this time he is up against bruh lizard. Then we see how enemies can find a common ground in dealing with a mutual foe in the tale about bruh deer and bruh alligator. So sit back, relax and enjoy these fun stores.  Book: The People Could Fly By Virginia...

Today we find ourselves in Florida. We meet a king that has gone off his rocker. He has decreed a law that all must follow. That is until one man defies him. What will the king do to this man and can he survive the interaction? Only one way to find out. Come and take a listen.  Book: Latin American Folktales By John Beirhorst Book: African American Folktales By Roger D. Abrahams Chef, has served u...

Today we find ourselves in Alabama. We get two stories from the Cherokee people. The first about how grandmother spider brought us the sun. The Second about the first solar eclipse, flood and creation of the red bird and the horned serpent. Yea a lot in two stories so come relax and listen to these tales.  Book: American Indian Myths & Legends By Richard Erdoes & Alfonso Ortiz Chef, has se...

Happy Halloween this is the story of the first black vampyre. a story written in 1819 first published in Chapbook form in New York. This story is set in St. Domingo (Haiti & Dominican Republic) around the time of the Haitian Revolution. Come Listen to this wonderful short story. Book: The Black Vampyre: A Legend of St. Domingo By Uriah Derick D’Arcy Podcast Artwork: Artbyshalaye: https://insta...

Today we find ourselves in Mississippi. Here we meet Nell who has a dream and will do anything to achieve it. In a place where everyone is poor the person most well off is the master fiddler and Nell is determined to become the master fiddler. Only one problem, Nell doesn't play the fiddle, she plays the dulcimer. What will she do? How will she achieve her dream? Only one way to find out. Come...

Today we find ourselves in Louisiana. We come into possession of 2 stories from the supernatural. The first being the Ghost Pirates of Gombi Isle. and the Second Medeo the Fifolet. How will those involved in these stories fair? Did they survive? If they did not, who passed us the stories? only one way to find out.  Book: Gumbo YA YA By Lyle Saxon and Edward Dreyer & Robert Tallant Book: Cajun...

Today we find ourselves in Texas. We receive a telling of two very interesting stories. the first about a lil boy who receives an unexpected visitor. the second a man who comes face to face with a spectral hound. What do these encounters mean and how will they affect our friends in the stores? Only one way to find out. Come and Listen.  Book: The Headless Haunt & Other African-American Ghost S...

Today we head to Mexico. We meet a father and his three daughters. Two of whom come up with a plan to rid themselves of the third. Now out in the world alone we follow as she figures out a way to survive. What will she come up with? Will she ever see her family again? Only one way to find out. come and listen.  Book: Latin American Folktales By John Beirhorst Chef, has served up a beautiful breakf...

Today we head to Cuba. We meet a hunter and his family. At this time there is no moon or stars in the sky and animals reign supreme. Trying to keep warm they must get fire from the tiger. How will this end for the family? Who if any will remain? Only one way to find out. Come take a listen.  Book: Afro-Cuban Folktales By Lydia Carbrera  Chef, has served up a beautiful breakfast. We are having Tort...

Today we head to Jamaica. We find the people in utter darkness. Not knowing what to do they head to the queen for answers. She in turn offers a prize to anyone that can solve the problem. Soliday throws his offers to slay the great ManCrow. Will he do it? Will he survive? come find out. Book: African & Caribbean Folktales, Myths & Legends By Wendy Shearer Chef, has served up a delicious de...

Today we head to Haiti. We meet a father who is proud of the hard work and dedication his three sons have given in school. Now that it's time for them to learn a trade he is shocked to find that his youngest son has picked a career a little different. He wants to be a master thief.  Will the son succeed at his criminal venture? Will dad regret sending his son on this path? well come find out. ...

Today we head to Puerto Rico. We meet Rosa, a wonderful woman that has followed in the footsteps of her mother. Unfortunately her father now has eyes for her. How will she use her cunning and intellect  to save herself? and what will be the consequences?  Book: Latin American Folktales By John Beirhorst Chef, has served up a satisfying snack. We are having Besitos de Coco. This is a pleasure to ma...

Today we head to St. Vincent. We find a king who has an issue with a thief and in an effort to stop him he discovers he has captured Bruh Anansi. How will Anansi get out of this situation and will there be any more trouble for this trickster? only one way to find out.  Book: African American Folktales By Roger D. Abrahams Chef, has served up a satisfying salad. We are having Salted Cod Salad. This...

Today we head toTrinidad & Tobago. We meet Crocky the Crocodile and he just found out some very sad news. His wife is sick and only one thing can save her. Crocky will do anything to save his wife. Even if that means hurting a friend.  How will he get the liver of his friend Monkey? Will Monkey just give it to him or will he have to take it? Will he save his wife? Only one way to find out.  Bo...

Today we head to Venezuela. We meet a family that has landed on hard times with crops not doing so well. But one son is determined to find a way to get them out of all their troubles after meets an interesting horse with seven colors. Will he succeed? only one way to find out  Book: Latin American Folklore  By John Beirhorst check out a similar stories Prince Simpleheart https://www.podpage.com/af...

Today we head to Suriname. A beautiful country with great landscape. While there we meet Mat Luangu, a man that is trying to take care of his family. Until he happens upon a great farming location that belongs to another. What will happen when Mat Luangu meets the true owner of the land? Only one way to find out.  Book: A Treasury of Afro-American folklore By Harold Courlander Chef, has served up...

Today we head to Brazil. In the beginning there was only Day, night had not yet been introduced. We will meet a young princess and her husband the King or Chief. In a story where opposites attract the daughter of the Great Sea Serpent ;is missing her world of Darkness and becomes ill. Will the king be able to get a piece of home to save her? Or will she wither away in the brightness of the day? Co...