African Tales 2

By Mohammed Akinwunmi-Othman

Apart from it’s entertainment values, storytelling was a method of education and preservation of culture in Africa, prior to colonisation and globalisation.
Sadly, this invaluable instrument of disseminating of wisdom has continued to wane rapidly.
The book is a two-in-one collection of stories in African folklore themed around various characters and plots, which contributes to the revitalisation of the African heritage.
Book One chronicles the expedition of man into the forest of the djins and the land of the dead, in his quest for a heir. Will he succeed?
Book Two is collection of stories of different plots, which teaches morals, etiquettes and the enviable values of the African culture.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mohammed Akinwunmi-Othman
• Release date: Nov 21, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463870167

Book preview

African Tales 2

About the Book

As well being a source of entertainment for millennia, the telling of stories in Africa has been an important way to communicate vital life-lessons across the generations. African culture, wisdom and morals were preserved in this way both prior to, and after colonisation of the continent.

The thought-provoking stories collected within ‘African Tales Two’ are inspired by the stories told to the author as a young boy, as he sat enthralled on his Grandmother’s knees in Nigeria.

The book is more than just a collection of tales themed around various engaging characters. It is a significant contribution to the rediscovery and revitalisation of African heritage.

Part One of the book chronicles an expedition into the ‘Forest of the Djins’ and the ‘Land of the Dead’ by a man in search of an heir. Part Two is a collection of short stories - each of which tell us much about the morals, etiquette and values found within African culture.

About the Author

Award-winning author Dr. Mohammed N. Akinwunmi-Othman, better known as Akin Othman, is also a respected university academic (Law) and researcher. As well as creating fictional work, he has published a number of academic articles and delivered lectures at universities and business schools both in the UK and across West Africa. He is a motivational speaker for future leaders, students’ and the public.

In his spare time, the author enjoys photography, music and sports. He currently resides in the UK with his family.

African Tales 2

M.N. Akinwunmi-Othman

Copyright © 2019 by M.N. Akinwunmi-Othman

All Rights Reserved

Email [e-mail]

Table of Contents

Book One

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Book Two

Chapter One . . . The Money makers

Chapter Two . . . The Quest for a Male Child

Chapter Three . . . The Mysterious Human Being

Chapter Four . . . The Great Promise

Chapter Five . . . The King’s Dilemma

Chapter Six . . . Grief in the Land

Chapter Seven . . . The Forbidden Drink

Chapter Eight . . . The Skirmish for Affection

Chapter Nine . . . He who disregards the gods

Chapter Ten . . . The Punishment for Theft

Chapter Eleven. . The Wicked Brother

Dedication

To my parents, who placed my feet on the path of knowledge,

To all my teachers and mentors, from whom I have learnt,

To all fallen heroes and heroines, who have passed away with their invaluable wisdom.

Acknowledgements

The invaluable effort, contribution and dedication of everyone involved in bringing the book to reality is acknowledged and appreciated. Your constructive criticisms have helped

fine-tuned the stories and the plot.

FOREWORD

Storytelling was used as a medium of education and entertainment in Africa before the arrival of the colonists. These tales could be either true-life events or fantasies. Their truthfulness or spuriousness was at no time questioned. The most important thing to the storytellers and their audience were the teachings, morals and philosophy of the society it teaches.

Western colonisation, urbanisation and globalisation culminated in the disintegration of societal equilibrium in Africa, resulting in the subsequent abandoning of meaningful customs and traditions. Due to this, storytelling as an invaluable instrument of thought and consciousness has continued to degenerate and erode very rapidly.

The works contained in this book try to preserve some of that African heritage and wisdom. All the same, since no book can truly contain every single story, this collection exists as a contribution to the African mythology in an attempt to revitalise Black culture.

M.N Akinwunmi-Othman

BOOK ONE

24 Hours of Darkness

Chapter One

Osori’s father, Titori, was a king. He was powerful and revered by his people. He was also a strong-willed ruler and often said, The wish is a father to the thought... Thunder struck when he spoke in anger, and he was said to have the strength of twenty-one able men.

Contrary to the assumption that African kings had several wives, Titori only had one, with whom he had a son.

He was a stern father, who believed that, The child is a father to the man." Since his childhood, Osori accompanied his father to the forest of the djinns for rituals and consultations.

When Osori was just about five years old, one of the djinns told his father during a visit that his son would be a great warrior like him. However, he would not succeed him on the throne in kingship.

Titori was greatly troubled and distressed by what he heard. He spontaneously asked, Does it mean that the throne my ancestors fought for, preserved, and held over the centuries will be ascended by someone who is not my blood? And my name will drain away in the waters of history without any trace?

The djinn looked at him and said, Titori, please be patient. You should ask for what to do to avert the catastrophe, rather than lament over it! The djinn continued, There are only two options of remedy. It’s either we shorten his lifespan or take his manhood as a sacrifice!

Titori stood shocked. He was horrified like he has never been before, shaking and trembling. He took a deep breath and asked again, If you take away his manhood, then none of my blood will ascend the throne! It would be the same as not having a male child at all!

The djinn replied, "Titori, the choices are open to you. I have given you all the