1. The Principles of Folktale in Igbo Society
Otu Mgbe:
The Principles of Folktale in Igbo Society

2. Questions to consider:
Why did folk tales serve such an integral role in Igbo society throughout adulthood?
What (if any) corresponding tradition to the oral tale do we have in modern American society?

3. Purpose of story in Igbo life
Story-telling served 3 goals in Igbo society:
Entertainment
Moral and societal tradition
Artistic genre
J.O.J. Nwachuckwu-Agbada, “The Igbo Folktale: Performance Conditions and Internal Characteristics”

4. entertainment Similar to theater
Performer was expected to know “role” of storyteller
Audience participation and judgment
Performances preserved “order and balance” of society on smaller scale

5. morality and tradition
Tales repeated throughout villages, families
Archetypal themes easy to remember
Unite mythical, spiritual, and concrete realms
Serve as educational tools for children
Pass along rules of order

6. artistry in folk tales Tales included songs as part of ritual
Storytellers respected ritual of tales
Stories told after dark during dry season
Standard openings and group responses

7. stories from “things fall apart”
13 different animal tales referenced, using 11 different titular characters
The Tortoise (chapter 11) is the Master Trickster in Igbo tales
Stories illustrate male/female values, moral codes

8. Some Examples:
“Let kite perch and eagle, too. If one says no to the other, let his wing break.”
--ch.3 Extending hospitality is essential to one’s success and well-being.
“The little bird nza who so far forgot himself… that he challenged his chi.”
--ch. 4 Do not think so highly of oneself that one forgets his proper place.
“Eneke-nti-oba challenged the whole world to wrestle and was bested by a cat.”
--ch 7. Grace and skill are more formidable than strength and bravado.
Mosquitoes buzz by ears as a reminder of their love and devotion.
--ch 9 Explanation of how things work in the world.

9. And: Snake-lizard killed his mother, then killed himself.
--ch 9 None are above the rules of society.
Tortoise names himself “All of You” to eat all the food at the feast. Later, parrot delivers the wrong message to Tortoise’s wife.
--ch 11 Be wary of false friends; Don’t make enemies, they will retaliate!
(After exile in Mbanta)
Mother Kite teaches her daughter how/what to hunt.
--ch 15 When a situation is odd, beware.

10. The final tale:
Eneke the bird was asked why he was always on the wing and he replied:
“Men have learned to shoot without missing their mark and I have learned to fly without perching on a twig.”
How can this be interpreted in respect to Ogonkwo? The villages? The future?