baby elephant

safiya and the elephant

written by Kevin hamel

The story of Safiya and the Elephant developed from work with children in a Cumbria school. Children listened to African stories, explored techniques in African art and took part in a West African drumming workshop with Sierra Leone musician Zozo Shuaibu. 

Children at KS1 had explored African riddles, composing and sharing their own with friends. Reception children had listened to an African lullabies, and developed language to contribute to a lullaby. During their reception year, these same children had listened to and enjoyed Paul Geraghty's The Hunter (Red Fox, 1994).

In The Hunter, a little girl (Jamina) walks into the bush to collect honey accompanied by her grandfather. She asks him if she will see elephants. He tells her she is unlikely to do so given the presence of hunters in the area. Jamina initially finds the notion of being a hunter romantic, and plays make-believe games. Unfortunately, she wanders away from her grandfather and becomes lost in the bush.

Then Jamina hears the cries of a baby elephant whose mother has been shot by hunters. She decides to try and take the baby elephant home with her, in the hope of finding the remainder of the herd on the way.

Children made up their own story about a lost elephant, choosing the name Safiya for their girl explorer. The story incorporates a lullaby, and journey music based on the popular West African singing game Che Che Kule

 

  • lost elephant

    A Lost Elephant

  • journey begins

    Journey Begins

  • zebras

    Zebras

 

  • rain

    Rain

  • under the tree

    Under the Tree

  • danger

    Danger!

 

  • all alone

    All Alone

  • safe at last

    Safe at Last

  •  

     

 
Kuzari

about zozo shuaibu

Safiya and The Elephant is narrated by master african drummer Zozo Shuaibu. With musician Sam Maitland, Zozo brings African music and storytelling into the classroom with their performance group Kuzari International. More…