ISBN 9781870716154
Pages 144
Dimensions 203 x 127 mm
Published 1991
Publisher Saros International Publishers, Nigeria
Format Paperback

The Singing Anthill

Ogoni Folk Tales

by Ken Saro-Wiwa

The Ogoni live on the northern fringes of the eastern delta of Niger, the homeland of the author. He first heard them in Khana, his mother tongue, and the memory of the stories themselves, the songs that accompanied them, the skill of the narrators, and the reaction of the audience, have all influenced the author as a successful writer in many genres.

The folk tales reflect the occupations of the Ogoni - fishing, farming and hunting; and give insight into the customs and observances of their society. Their penchant for satire and the comic are displayed, together with the values of their civilization. The centre of most of the stories is Kuru, the Tortoise, known for his cunning and wisdom, who recognises the supreme intelligence of the oracle.

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About the Author

Ken Saro-Wiwa

Nigerian television producer, writer of satirical novels, children's tales, and plays. In 1994 Saro-Wiwa was imprisoned by order of the dictator Sani Abacha. He had strongly defended the rights of the Ogoni people and criticized the government's oil policy with Royal Dutch/Shell. Despite wide international protests, Saro-Wiwa was hanged after a show trial with other eight Ogoni rights activists in Port Harcourt, on November 10, 1995.

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