Week 7 Reading Diary: Congo Unit

This week I choose to do the reading unit for the Africa Unit: Congo. I am very excited to do this unit because my storybook project is going to be based on stories of the undead. This section is going to be very helpful in learning about the African traditions of the Undead and other rituals! Below is a list of some of the stories that I particularly like while reading this Unit and a description of the stories.

Reading A:

How the Wives Restored Their Husband to Life:
A man set out to feed his three wives. He want to get an ox so he tracked the ox far away. When he took his arrow to kill the ox another ox came from behind and killed him too! The wives starving at home did not know what to do. One of the wives dreamt their husband was killed by an ox, another led them to his body and the third resurrected him from the dead. The woman fought over whose food he would eat first. When the man was able he said I will eat the food of the wife that brought me back to life because she is the one that allowed me to eat again.

The Twin Brothers:
Once upon a time a woman gave birth to twins who were full grown at their birth... ouch. The daughter of Nzambi was ready for marriage and all the creature that had breath as for her hand in marriage, but she refused them all saying she did not love them. One of the Twins set out to marry the women which he did. He then set out to a town where no man returns for some reason. When he arrived their he was eaten by a women. Then his twin brother came to the city and the people thought he was the brother and was married to Nazambi's daughter. He also soon set out on a journey to the town where no man returns. He killed the woman and brought his brother back to life along with all the people who had died there. Then the first twin killed the second for a disagreement.

Reading B:

How the Spider Won and Lost Nzambi's Daughter:
Nazambi was in a predicament. She need fire from the heavens, but did not have a way to get it. Her daughter was very beautiful so the Spider, the sand-fly, the rat and the woodpecker all promised to help for a reward. Each of the creatures played their part in helping Nzambi receive fire from the heavens but she gave her daughter to the Spider. The others creatures were jealous and complained so Nzambi said I can't give her to you all so I will give her to none. Instead I will pay you all her value. And so Nzambi's daughter was still unmarried.

The Fetish of Chilunga:
Interesting "Urban Legend". This story is about a place where a fetish rules in the form of a princess. He demands that people treat him nicely and if they do not they will be imprisoned until the do so by offering gifts to him. A white man did not believe in the spirit and laughed as he brought gifts to the holy place. Then the gifts disappeared in front of him and he believed.

Below is a YouTube video I found Title A Story A Story. Take a listen to these beautiful traditional Congo Stories!