01 Reading text

02 Thinking skills
Reading/Critical

03 Literary focus
Ann Grifalconi, writer
and illustrator of several
books for children,
authored a Caldecott
Award-winning book,
The Village of Round
and Square Houses.
Africa's Poetry

Africa is a continent known for its

diverse cultures and languages.
Through poetry, Africans have
expressed their thoughts, emotions,
and traditions for centuries.
Folklore

Folklore refers to the traditional

stories, beliefs, and customs passed
down from generation to generation.
African folklore is filled with mythical
creatures, heroes, moral lessons, and
explanations of natural phenomena.
Cultural Origins

African poetry and folklore have deep

roots in oral tradition, with storytelling
being a fundamental part of African
society. These traditions have shaped and
preserved African culture throughout
history.
Values and Themes

African poetry and folklore often reflect

important values such as community,
respect for ancestors, the power of nature,
and the significance of oral storytelling.
These works provide insight into the
African worldview.
Analyzing and Interpreting

By studying African poetry and folklore,

we can develop critical thinking skills and
learn to analyze literary devices, themes,
and cultural context. This helps us
appreciate the significance and relevance
of these works.
The Village of Round and
Square Houses

By Ann Grifalconi
 It was not until I was full-grown; And Left my village
That I found our village was like no other. For the men
live in square houses, And the women, in round ones! To
me, this seemed the natural order of things. “But what is
it like?” You ask. I will tell you how it was---and is—for
me.

I grew up in my grandmother’s farm In the village of Tos that

lies At the foot of Mother Naka In the Bameni hills of West
Africa. We planted yams and corn and tobacco And the finest
coffee grown in the Cameroons. Our village was always happy
and peaceful— A good place for boys and girls to grow up.
Then one peaceful night Before anyone alive remembers, Old
Naka began to groan and rumble And awoke from a long
sleep! The villagers were frightened and ran out of their
houses and hid in the bushes at the foot of the mountain.

Suddenly, the black night Was split open like a coconut!

And a great white burst of light Rose like the sun! Then the
voice of Mother Naka Thundered out over all: BOOM! BA-
BOOM! BA-BOOM!
And the people cried to Naka, and prayed where they were,
lying down, Hands pressing the earth, asking “What have we
done to so anger you?” All through the night Old Naka spoke to
them Shouting her anger to the skies As red rivers of lava flowed
down her sides.

When the sun rose the people lifted their heads and looked
about! Everything was covered with ashes— Even themselves!
Everyone looked like a gray ghost— Trembling with fear But
grateful to be alive: Naka had spared them!
 Still covered with ashes— The men,
women and children Faced the mountain
together, Went back to claim their homes.
But when they came to the burned-out
village Only two houses were left
What? standing: One square—and one round
Where? And so it was done.
Why?
How are we…?”
But the village chief Had no time for such
questions— And he called them together:
“We must begin to rebuild our village now!”
He pointed to the ash-covered people: You! Tall gray
things! You go live in the square house! And you!
Round gray things— Go live in the round house!

And you small gray stones go out to the fields

So we can plant our crops again.
The women lived in the round house with the children And
the women talked and laughed— Preparing food for
everyone. The men stayed in the square houses and told each
other tall stories And planted yams and corn Each day, in the
new, rich soil.

And the children made a game

Out of clearing the field of small gray stones And went swimming
and fishing in the long afternoons…
And no one forgot to thank Naka For sparing their lives
And giving them back their lives And giving them back such fine
crops from her good earth.
“And we still play and swim in the
afternoon But we bring home the
fish we catch for supper
And we all get together then!” “
So you see, Osa,
We live together peacefully here She took me by the hand
Because each one has a place to be And turned back to the round
apart And a time to be together…” house.
And now that is
How our way came about
And will continue—
‘Till Naka speaks again!
 2. What do these lines
1. Did the life of mean?
the villagers And now that is how our
change after way came about?
the eruption?
And will continue — Till
Naka speaks again.
3. With a partner, think about the culture of the
people in the poem and provide an analysis based on
the following questions.

Was the poem set in the 20th century?

What customs, traditions, and lifestyles do
they have in the region?
What is the socioeconomic status of the
characters? Are they rich or middle class?
How do you think this poem may have
been influenced by culture?
3. How did the 4. Feminism is a belief that
poem help you promotes social, political, and
understand human economic equality of both men
beings and the and women. Do you agree that
forces that they the author is a feminist? Why
contend with? or why not?
 Feminism
Quite simply, feminism is about all genders having
equal rights and opportunities. It's about respecting
diverse women's experiences, identities, knowledge,
and strengths and striving to empower all women to
realize their full rights.
Sensory images are mental
pictures created by words that
describe what we see, hear, touch,
taste, and smell.
Tone can often be expressed using a
single word–informal, friendly,
intimate, playful, solemn, or serious.
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