Native Islanders share their folklore and history through storytelling and singing. Gullah storytellers often perform folktales that feature animals as the main characters. Much like tales heard in Africa, the smaller animals often outsmart the bigger ones. A good example is the trickster named Brer Rabbit. He is a direct descendant of Cunnie Rabbit, the clever character in African folklore.
Storytellers in West Africa have always been respected members of their communities. Today, Gullah storytellers like Anita Singleton-Prather (Aunt Pearlie Sue) carry on this tradition of acting out characters by changing their voice and making animated facial expressions. During a live performance, one storytelling technique is to get the audience involved by asking them to repeat words.
Play the interactive stories or watch the video-based stories below.
Interactive
Listen to the interactive version of the The Jealous Bragging Turtle in Gullah. Storytelling performance by Anita Singleton Prather (Aunt Pearlie Sue)
Interactive
Listen to the interactive version of the Little Red Hen in English. Storytelling performance by Anita Singleton Prather (Aunt Pearlie Sue)
Interactive
Listen to the interactive version of the Little Red Hen in Gullah. Storytelling performance by Anita Singleton Prather (Aunt Pearlie Sue)
Interactive
Listen to the interactive version of the Little Red Riding Hood in both English and Gullah. Storytelling performance by Anita Singleton Prather (Aunt Pearlie Sue)
Interactive
Listen to the interactive version of the What A Friend in English. Click here for the English Version. Storytelling performance by Anita Singleton Prather (Aunt Pearlie Sue).
Interactive
Listen to the interactive version of the What A Friend in Gullah. Click here for the English Version. Storytelling performance by Anita Singleton Prather (Aunt Pearlie Sue).
Lesson
What can I do at the end of this lesson? *I can make connections to text through reading and writing to make strong interdependent relationships. (Friends/Relationship)
