1. Song of a Mother to her Firstborn
African Literature
Song of a Mother to her Firstborn

2. Journal
What do you think children need to know? What would you tell your children if you were a parent? Why would it be important to communicate those things?

3. Features of African Oral Literature
Repetition and parallel structure
Aided in memorization for griots.
Creates rhythm, builds suspense, and adds emphasis to important parts of the poem.
Repeated lines, often called refrains, indicate places where audience can join in participating
Repeat-and-vary technique
Lines or phrases are sung with slight variation
Tones on which syllables are spoken help indicate meaning
Call-and-response
Leader calls out a line or phrases and the audience responds with an answering line or phrase.
Allows for audience participation!
TSW recognize and analyze the African poem, “Song of a Mother to Her Firstborn” as a type of oral poetry.
TSW identify and interpret similes and metaphors.
TSW

4. Song of a mother to her firstborn
Cradle song—type of oral poetry to be chanted or sung. Tender words and repetitions express a mother’s love while also soothing the baby to sleep.
Uganda culture
Children viewed as immortality for parents.
Naming of a child involved a ceremony several days after birth.
Mother who sings this poem is assuring her child that the gods of his people are good and will take care of him.
Predicts future of the child—father and great leader.

5. Song of a mother to her firstborn
Figurative language
Simile—comparison using like or as.
Metaphor—comparison made WITHOUT the use of the words like or as.

6. African Dilemma Tales TSW analyze two African dilemma tales.
TSW identify the characteristics of a dilemma tale.

7. African Dilemma Tales
Dilemma tale—open-ended story that concludes with a question that asks the audience to choose from among several alternatives.
Interactive form of African oral literature
Almost always about human characters, family, and community relationships.
Present life-or-death situations
Tale often ends with a question—”Who is most deserving?” or “Who behaved best?”

8. African Dilemma Tales
“Wondrous Powers: Mirror, Sandals, and a Medicine Bag”
“The Five Helpers”
Read the following dilemma tales on your own or with a PARTNER.
When you are finished, write your own dilemma tale using situations that are recognizable to a contemporary American audience. If you wish, include supernatural or exaggerated fairy-tale-like elements. Be sure to conclude with an open-ended question that the entire class can discuss!

9. Your Homework
3.2 “Song of a Mother to Her Firstborn & African Dilemma Tales”—due Wednesday, September 18th.