Folk Stories from Southern Nigeria, West Africa

"Folk Stories from Southern Nigeria, West Africa" by Elphinstone Dayrell is a collection of traditional folktales written in the early 20th century. It comprises various stories that reflect the rich cultural heritage and moral lessons of the people of Southern Nigeria. The tales feature characters from local folklore, including wise animals like the tortoise and powerful kings, each with their own unique adventures and lessons to impart about life, love, and moral values. The beginning of the collection introduces readers to the story of "The Tortoise with a Pretty Daughter," wherein a king, infatuated by beauty, enacts a cruel law that threatens families if their daughters surpass his son's wives in beauty. The tale follows the tortoise and his daughter, Adet, who captures the prince's eye. The narrative unfolds with themes of cleverness, familial love, and the subversion of oppressive laws, ultimately culminating in the tortoise attaining wealth and status through the marriage of his beautiful daughter to the prince, despite the treacherous beginnings. This opening sets the tone for a series of interconnected tales that explore various facets of human and animal relationships in a vibrant cultural context.