Outside Reading, Week 4, Post A

Another interesting difference that I found between Okonkwo's culture and our culture is the tradition of explaining natural phenomenons with folk tales. Ekwefi and Enzima share stories with each other that while entertaining, also provide the origins of certain aspects of nature, such as why the tortoise shell is not smooth. Instead of using empirical reasoning or the scientific method, they make assumptions based on observation or mythology, which, while entertaining, exists more for the purpose of being a cultural staple than a logic explanation. Also, folk stories allow Ekwefi and Enzima to bond after dark, when "low voices reached Okonkwo's from his wives' huts as each woman and her children told folk stories" (96). While the American culture does have some weak parallels to this, such as nursery rhymes or folklore, a majority of the populous realizes that the stories are only meant for entertainment and nothing more. We, instead, believe in approaching things rationally and conducting experiments, providing reasonable and sound answers to questions.

However, despite the fact that the American answers are more factual, it's difficult to say whether or not it is better than the tribal method of folktelling. Sure, if you really need to know how a toroise shell is formed or how spiders got eight legs, it might be worth knowing the actual origin, but for the people of Africa, it probably isn't a necessity in their lives and an entertaining tale may be more valuable. The folk stories certainly enrich their culture and provide somewhat- universal truths to their children, giving families and communities a chance to bond and share a common heritage.