Grandmothers' Pot
by Baba Jamal Koram
Near a large suburban village nestled in a valley not far from the eastern area mountains in Africa, there was a large market place. In this market many items were sold - - from foods to furniture to fine jewelry and art to refrigerators and stoves. From flowers and flour to clothes and healing services, and in the far corner of the market place, and old grandmother sold soup. It was good soup! Everyday, all day long, she would sell soup and near quitting time, she was almost sold out when a young boy would seek her out. He came to her and said, "Grandmama, I don't have any money and I'm hungry, may I have some soup please. . .?
ALL STORIES COPY WRITTEN BY Baba Jamal Koram, Ed.S.
703.725.6593
Call for local, national and international bookings
by Baba Jamal Koram
Near a large suburban village nestled in a valley not far from the eastern area mountains in Africa, there was a large market place. In this market many items were sold - - from foods to furniture to fine jewelry and art to refrigerators and stoves. From flowers and flour to clothes and healing services, and in the far corner of the market place, and old grandmother sold soup. It was good soup! Everyday, all day long, she would sell soup and near quitting time, she was almost sold out when a young boy would seek her out. He came to her and said, "Grandmama, I don't have any money and I'm hungry, may I have some soup please. . .?
ALL STORIES COPY WRITTEN BY Baba Jamal Koram, Ed.S.
703.725.6593
Call for local, national and international bookings
A Kwanzaa Story by Baba Jamal Koram
Grandma always carried of piece of African cloth. It wasn't always the same fabric. Sometimes it was a large piece of Bogolofini. Sometimes it was a wonderful colorful piece of Kente cloth. Or maybe it was Aso oke cloth, or Kuba cloth, but she always had a piece of African fabric. "Why do you always carry that cloth with you Grandma," I would ask. "Because, as a people, we forget too easy. . . ."
For performances 703.725.6593
Grandma always carried of piece of African cloth. It wasn't always the same fabric. Sometimes it was a large piece of Bogolofini. Sometimes it was a wonderful colorful piece of Kente cloth. Or maybe it was Aso oke cloth, or Kuba cloth, but she always had a piece of African fabric. "Why do you always carry that cloth with you Grandma," I would ask. "Because, as a people, we forget too easy. . . ."
For performances 703.725.6593
Koubaye Kotaba Baobab Tree
The StoryMan in Mali by Baba Jamal Koram
The Baobab tree was the largest tree in our Afrakan town called Koubaye Kotaba. Many people walked by it everyday. Many people sat under it everyday. The Baobab tree shaded many and the Baobab tree heard many conversations. It’s leaves drooped wen it heard sadness and tears. It fruit grew sweeter when it heard the laughter of Afrakan people underneath its branches and its trunk grew wider when the market place was full and babies were fat and when the rain came on time. . .
For a Storytelling with your Group
703.725.6593
Call for local, national and international bookings
The StoryMan in Mali by Baba Jamal Koram
The Baobab tree was the largest tree in our Afrakan town called Koubaye Kotaba. Many people walked by it everyday. Many people sat under it everyday. The Baobab tree shaded many and the Baobab tree heard many conversations. It’s leaves drooped wen it heard sadness and tears. It fruit grew sweeter when it heard the laughter of Afrakan people underneath its branches and its trunk grew wider when the market place was full and babies were fat and when the rain came on time. . .
For a Storytelling with your Group
703.725.6593
Call for local, national and international bookings
The Little Cornbread Man
by Baba Jamal Koram (adapted version of the Little Gingerbread Boy)
"Ha, Ha, Ha! Hee, Hee, Hee! You may be fast, but you can't catch me! Run, Run, fast as you can. . .
You can't catch me 'cause I'm de little CORNBREAD MAN! Once upon a time, there was a husband and a wife. And it was the husband's birthday. The wife said, "I'm gonna make something good for my baby's birthday. Now what can I make him for his birthday. . . ?
Pre K - Adult 703. 725. 6593
by Baba Jamal Koram (adapted version of the Little Gingerbread Boy)
"Ha, Ha, Ha! Hee, Hee, Hee! You may be fast, but you can't catch me! Run, Run, fast as you can. . .
You can't catch me 'cause I'm de little CORNBREAD MAN! Once upon a time, there was a husband and a wife. And it was the husband's birthday. The wife said, "I'm gonna make something good for my baby's birthday. Now what can I make him for his birthday. . . ?
Pre K - Adult 703. 725. 6593
Sundiata Walks
(traditional) As Told By Baba Jamal Koram with references to D.T. Niani primary sources and a visit to Keyla, Niani, Segou, Mopti, and Dogon Country Modified for school youth consumption. . .The way the story is told depends on the audience in front of me. . .
(Singing)
Hey Jaliyaa Allah lek a Jaliyaa da . . .
Koroton Jaliyaa Norosoba . . .
When Sundiata was born, he was a big baby. He was eating straight from the womb. Everyone was amazed at his size and his appetite ! And even though he was big and he ate a lot, Sundiata took a long time to walk. . .
703.725.6593
Call for local, national and international bookings
(traditional) As Told By Baba Jamal Koram with references to D.T. Niani primary sources and a visit to Keyla, Niani, Segou, Mopti, and Dogon Country Modified for school youth consumption. . .The way the story is told depends on the audience in front of me. . .
(Singing)
Hey Jaliyaa Allah lek a Jaliyaa da . . .
Koroton Jaliyaa Norosoba . . .
When Sundiata was born, he was a big baby. He was eating straight from the womb. Everyone was amazed at his size and his appetite ! And even though he was big and he ate a lot, Sundiata took a long time to walk. . .
703.725.6593
Call for local, national and international bookings
The Union ship, "Planter" that Robert Smalls and his men commandeered from the Southern Forces months earlier, eased its way up the St. Mary's River with Robert Sutton at the helm. The US Colored Troops were on a mission, up this border river in Florida, to retrieve building supplies. There were low and slow areas up-river which occasionally slowed the ship's movement and made these soldiers vulnerable to Confederate attack.
From the Book AESOP: TALES OF AETHIOP THE AFRICAN, VOL. I
Aesop Fables as Written and Told By Baba Jamal Koram
A Jaru merchant from the Fouta Djalon mountain region of Guinea was on a trading trip to Tripoli in northern Africa. He brought along his pet monkey, Kimu to keep him company. In the middle of the great Sahara desert, a strong sandstorm blew in. So strong was the storm that the blinding winds caused the Jaru and Kimu to be separated. All hope seemed lost for the little monkey. He did not know where he was.
703.725.6593
Call for local, national and international bookings
Aesop Fables as Written and Told By Baba Jamal Koram
A Jaru merchant from the Fouta Djalon mountain region of Guinea was on a trading trip to Tripoli in northern Africa. He brought along his pet monkey, Kimu to keep him company. In the middle of the great Sahara desert, a strong sandstorm blew in. So strong was the storm that the blinding winds caused the Jaru and Kimu to be separated. All hope seemed lost for the little monkey. He did not know where he was.
703.725.6593
Call for local, national and international bookings
From the Book AESOP: TALES OF AETHIOP THE AFRICAN, VOL. II
Aesop Fables as Written and Told By Baba Jamal Koram
Courage Allows Us to be Creative
When warriors would mardh into battle, the Jali would motivate them and rally them onward with his songs of valor. Playing on the xalam, he would sing of past battles and deeds of bravery.
703.725.6593
Call for local, national and international bookings
Aesop Fables as Written and Told By Baba Jamal Koram
Courage Allows Us to be Creative
When warriors would mardh into battle, the Jali would motivate them and rally them onward with his songs of valor. Playing on the xalam, he would sing of past battles and deeds of bravery.
703.725.6593
Call for local, national and international bookings
The Woman Who Gave Oranges (Mama Kai Kai) by Baba Jamal Koram Inspired by S. Eshe
In the Village of Nioro, there stayed a grandmother young enough to take care of herself and old enough to take care of the people of Nioro. Her name was Mama Kai Kai who had the unusual power of growing oranges from her long braided hair. Oranges.
♫ Mama Kai Kai Kai
Please give me some oranges
MO Mo Lai Lai
So juicy and so sweet
703.725.6593
Call for local, national and international bookings
In the Village of Nioro, there stayed a grandmother young enough to take care of herself and old enough to take care of the people of Nioro. Her name was Mama Kai Kai who had the unusual power of growing oranges from her long braided hair. Oranges.
♫ Mama Kai Kai Kai
Please give me some oranges
MO Mo Lai Lai
So juicy and so sweet
703.725.6593
Call for local, national and international bookings
De Washitaw Queen
By Baba Jamal Koram ©2004
The queen of the Washitaw Empire had just returned from a trading trip with the Garifuna, Arawak and Inca. She was attended by her elite guard as her ship move slowly up the Mississippi River. The guard was trained to protect the queen at any cost. It was a labor of love for these Washitaw warriors. It wasn’t like any one was going to mess with dem, they were panther quick, powerful as grizzlies, some were 5 feet tall, and many were as tall as 7 feet. Their skins shined with imported oils, and with auras, their hair locked long and strong. Not only were these men and women powerful, but they were beautiful to behold.
703.725.6593
Call for local, national and international bookings
By Baba Jamal Koram ©2004
The queen of the Washitaw Empire had just returned from a trading trip with the Garifuna, Arawak and Inca. She was attended by her elite guard as her ship move slowly up the Mississippi River. The guard was trained to protect the queen at any cost. It was a labor of love for these Washitaw warriors. It wasn’t like any one was going to mess with dem, they were panther quick, powerful as grizzlies, some were 5 feet tall, and many were as tall as 7 feet. Their skins shined with imported oils, and with auras, their hair locked long and strong. Not only were these men and women powerful, but they were beautiful to behold.
703.725.6593
Call for local, national and international bookings
