Sigana International Storytelling Festival

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Lesson Transcript

Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class- Holidays in Kenya Series at SwahiliPod101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind Kenyan holidays and observances. I’m Eric, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 3. Sigana International Storytelling Festival. In Swahili, it’s called Sikukuu ya Kimataifa ya Kuhadithiana ya Sigana.

Originally begun as a celebration of Kenyan culture, the Sigana International Storytelling Festival sees storytellers, or wasimulizi, from all over the world gather together in Kenya to tell ancient, cautionary tales, and to tell the public about the challenges Africans have faced abroad and their subsequent victories.

This lesson will highlight what happens on this special day as celebrated by storytellers from Asia, England, Africa, and other different places.

Now, before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question-

What time of day is the most exciting for telling stories?

If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep listening.

Anyone who attends the festival must have a ticket, and these are usually sold before the festival starts. During the opening show, or onyesho ya kufungua sherehe, all the storytellers are introduced and allocated times on the first day to narrate their stories through words, music, and dance.

The second day of this event is given over to family shows, or maonyesho ya jamaa. The shows take place in different locations such the Kenya National Theater, or Ukumbi wa Usanii Nchini Kenya, the Cultural Center or Alliance Francaise, where many international shows take place. Within the family category, children are also given an opportunity to tell their stories through songs, words, and drumming.

The organizers of this event are also made up of high school students, or wanafunzi wa shule ya upili. The event usually takes place at Alliance Girls' High school. The event being scheduled for the whole day, different students narrate their stories within the time they are given. Afterwards, the audience is given a chance to ask questions.

Whenever storytellers and fans meet during these events, each is eager to read for the others. Participants can celebrate with music, dance, and other activities.

Now it's time to answer our quiz question-

What time of day is the most exciting for telling stories?

Storytellers and their fans love the thrill that comes with the fear of ghostly stories, and the thrill escalates because of the time chosen for narration, which is typically midnight, in Swahili usiku wa manane.