Schenectady, N.Y. (Feb. 16, 2001) – Raouf Mama, a storyteller who specializes in stories from the Fon region of Benin in western Africa, will give a performance on Friday, Feb. 23, at 1:40 p.m. in Old Chapel at Union College.
The event, free and open to the public, is part of the College's celebration of Black History Month. Mama, a professor of English at Eastern Connecticut State University, was born in Benin, educated at the National University there, and received his graduate degrees at the University of Michigan.
As a storyteller in the traditional African style, he performs Fon stories for audiences in the United States and abroad. He is the author of Why Goats Smell Bad, a collection of 20 folktales from the Republic of Benin. As the former Kingdom of Dahomey, Benin was a jumping-off point for the slave trade of the 17th century. Remnants of its culture, therefore, are today the heritage of many black people in the United States, Brazil, Haiti, Cuba, and other Caribbean countries.
Mama's translated tales also have been published by Storytelling Magazine, Parabola, Connecticut Review, and Facts and Fiction.
For events listings:
Speaker: African storyteller Raouf Mama
Topic: Folktales from Benin, West Africa
Date: Friday, Feb. 23
Time: 1:40 p.m.
Place: Old Chapel.
Cost: Free and open to the public
Information: 388-6131
Contact: Charlie Casey (518) 388-6090 caseyc@union.edu