Golem of the Gullah: A Jewish-Gullah Folktale
Jewish rabbi in Charleston, South Carolina stumbles across a secretive Gullah community - and enlists a magic creature to protect it.
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Many Southern folk tales derive from African-American stories, brought over centuries ago by enslaved Africans. These stories served as African cultural vessels, keeping customs, beliefs and values alive for future generations. Some African-American stories were “trickster” tales like those of Br'er Rabbit, teaching fellow slaves how to survive by cunning and wit under an oppressive plantation system. Ghost stories like “Ibo Landing” described the horrors of slavery, and inspired pride in African roots.
Among the African-American stories you can read below are myths, ghost stories, animal tales, and encounters with the Devil himself!
The Barefoot Woman
rican-American, trickster folktale from Alabama about how the Devil uses a powerful female temptation to try splitting apart a "lovey-dovey" couple.
The Click-Bok Tree
African-American slave folktale about a mysterious tree from Africa and the magic it unleashes on a cruel plantation owner.
A Beloved Teacher
Ghostly tale from coastal Georgia about a mysterious grave marker and the brave woman who lies there.
All God’s Chillun Had Wings
Classic African-American tale about the undying belief of slaves that they would one day fly back to Africa in the face of brutal oppression.