AFRICAN STORYTELLING - Master Man Story

Master Man
A Tall Tale of Nigeria

Told by Aaron Shepard

Adapted for storytelling by the author, from his picture book published by HarperCollins, New York, 2001

For more resources, visit Aaron Shepard’s Storytelling Page at
www.aaronshep.com/storytelling

Copyright © 2001, 2002 Aaron Shepard. You are welcome to tell this story in live performance or broadcast, but please mention the author and the children’s book, if any.

PREVIEW: Shadusa thinks he’s the strongest man in the world—till he meets the real Master Man.

GENRE: Tall tales, folktales CULTURE: West African, Nigerian THEME: Machismo

AUDIENCE AGES: 4 and up LENGTH: 10 minutes

NOTES: This is a tale of the Hausa, the largest ethnic group of northern Nigeria. Mostly Muslim, they have lived mainly in towns and villages on the savannah. Shadusa is pronounced “sha-DOO-sa,” rhyming with “a goose a.” Shettu is pronounced “SHET-oo,” rhyming with “get two.” Wah is an African exclamation with no literal meaning.

Once there was a man who was strong.

PANTOMIME

PANTOMIME

PANTOMIME

Pantomime is type of entertainment where players act out situations, ideas, or environments. The difference between this and other forms of performance is that pantomime requires its performers not to use any props nor their voice.  Sometimes, music plays while they perform.

Why would you need to know how to act on stage without using your voice?

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PHYSICAL THEATER

PHYSICAL WARMUPS & ACTIVITES

FEEL YOUR FEELINGS

For this activity, everyone has to sit on the floor wherever you like.  It is important that wherever you are sitting, you are close enough that you can hear my voice, but still have enough room to spread your body out for this activity.  Though this activity will be relaxing, it is important for you all to keep your eyes open and concentrate. Listen very closely to what I am saying and concentrate on the instructions.

Feel your feet in your socks            Feel your socks on your feet

Feel your legs in your pants            Feel your pants on your legs

Feel your chest in your shirt           Feel your shirt against your chest

Feel your fingers in your rings       Feel your rings on your fingers

Feel the hair on your head and the eyebrows on your face

Feel the tongue in your mouth

Feel the teeth in your mouth

Feel your ears

Feel all of the space around you

Let the space feel you.