African Folktales Festival 2023

ABOUT

Jungle Theatre Company will perform two of their shows based on African Folktales on Saturday 17 June at the Masque Theatre, Muizenberg. The shows are most suitable for children between the ages of 6 – 12 years but fun for the whole family.

The programme is as follows:

·      10am – When Lion Had Wings

·      10:30am – Interval

·      1045am – Ouma Olifant

·      1130am - ends

When Lion Had Wings is based on a traditional Khoikhoi folktale. The story starts in ancient times when all the animals lived in fear of Lion who could fly. However, some tricky Frogs reveal that Lion’s magic is hidden beneath a pile of bones. The balance of nature needs to be restored. It is about overcoming fear, challenging greed and discovering our talents.

Ouma Olifant / Makhulu Indlovu explores how elephants heal the wounds of the past and re-establish their bonds to humans, to their heritage and to their environment. The story is told from the point of view of a family of elephants. The family is lost without their matriarch. Her bones have not been laid to rest and they cannot hear the voice of their ancestors. Only through telling the painful story of the past can the elephants and humans resolve the conflict, build a new relationship, and establish the connections they need to thrive. This is a powerful metaphor for our current economic crisis and encourages young people to draw on their own heritage to find solutions to modern issues.