Fort Birthday

Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters, A Folktale from Zimbabwe by John Steptoe

Once Upon a Time, A Folktale from Zimbabwe, Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters, and it’s author, John Steptoe, made a huge impression on me

In 1987 I was 11 years old. I met John Steptoe at A Likely Story Children’s Bookstore in Alexandria Virginia during promotion for his new book, Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters. Subsequently, I went to the Smithsonian Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, and watched a dramatic reading done while Mr. Steptoe illustrated one of the drawings from the story. That evening he signed a poster from the book to me.

I tacked the poster up in my room that night, and over the last 32 years it has graced a wall in my home. Many nights my sons and I talk about the animals and imagery on the poster. Last week I dug through dozens of boxes of books and unearthed my original copy, also inscribed by the author, and shared the whole story with my boys.

A folktale meant to inspire pride in African-American Children

John Steptoe (1950-1989) used the Story of the Five Heads from a book, Xhosa Folklore, to spin a gloriously rich folk-tale about Mufaro and his two daughters, Nyasha and Manyara. At it’s heart, it is a morality tale about kindness being beautiful and smart, selfishness a path to downfall. It also reminds readers that you never know who someone is, so do not make presumptions about someone; treat everyone with kindness.

The triumph of Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters is the illustrations that can only be described as lush and full of depth. John Steptoe delved into the geography, nature, culture, and history of the nation of Zimbabwe. A British Colony until 1965 with sovereignty established as Zimbabwe in 1980. John Steptoe pulls from the pre-1886 history colonization to celebrate the culture and city of Great Zimbabwe (11th-15th century the capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe).

My words give short shrift to a book that was the first of it’s kind. A work that showed Africa and Zimbabwe as a source of pride for African-Americans. The book won the Coretta Scott King Award for Illustration and then the Caldecott Award. It went on to be featured on Reading Rainbow. And currently is the source material for a play that travels nationwide.

Some of John Steptoe’s work (as part of the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award) is currently on display at The Arc in South East Washington, DC, through the 25th of June.

Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters is so much more than retelling of Cinderella

Often described as a retelling of Cinderella, the story shares some elements (thoughtful and generous sister triumphs over cruel and mean sister through perseverance and kindness). But it is important to remember that the Cinderella story we know in the West originated in Egypt and was retold by Italians, French, and German authors with key elements being a missing garment, mistaken identity of the heroine, and the search by the hero for a lost love. Calling it a Cinderella story diminishes the origin and identity of this folktale.

A collection of Xhosa folktales was published in 1886 – called Kaffir Folklore by George McCall Theal – At the time ‘Kaffir’ was widely used to describe the Xhosa people of South Africa. This word should not be used, as it is now a slur. So while, it is appropriate for the sake of reference to refer to the original work by it’s title; it is more important to recognize the collection of stories as belonging to the Xhosa people of Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters distinguishes itself further from Cinderella by: the presence of a loving and supportive parent vs a cruel or absent one; the protagonist undergoes the ‘trials’ on a journey and triumphs through demonstrating kindness to others; the King takes on unlikely disguises to find the true character of his future wife.

Folktales start dialogs with kids

When I share this story with my kids we focus on the idea that you should be kind to all people. That generosity is good for your soul and has it’s own rewards, that selfishness and cruelty to people (especially your sibling) will lead to sadness.

And as a Mom of very different twins, we talk a lot about how Mufaro is proud of both his daughters despite the difference in their personalities.

We also use the book to talk about the natural history of Southern Africa.

Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters wove in and out of my life

At 11 I fancied myself an artist. I had never seen anything like John Steptoe’s illustrations. The use of color and crosshatching is still hypnotic to me. I can page through the story with my guys and find as much delight in the imagery as I did 30+ years ago.

I have a vivid memory of feeling so grown up, attending an evening event at a new Smithsonian museum. And I remember reminding Mr. Steptoe, while I shook his hand, that I met him earlier at the bookstore. He seemed so genuinely delighted that I came to see him again.

While Nyasha and Manyara hung on my wall, Zimbabwe danced in and out of my life. I read about “the great grey-green greasy Limpopo River, all set about with fever trees” (Kipling, The Elephant’s Child – Kipling seemed so worldly to a young teenager who was unaware of how problematic British Colonialism was).

I learned in 1989 that John Steptoe died from the complications of AIDS. Even at 13, I knew that 38 was too young to die. Now that I am in my 40s I am in awe of the legacy of literature that he left.

His daughter, Bweela Steptoe, was his model for both Nyasha and Manyara, promotes the recognition of his work through the John Lewis Steptoe Cultural Center. His son, Javaka Steptoe (who also modeled for his father) continues his legacy as a children’s illustrator. He also won Coretta Scott King and Caldecott Awards for his work, Radiant Child: the Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Zimbabwe’s Legacy

I traveled to Zimbabwe in 1993. I saw the Great Zimbabwe ruins. I saw the kopies and Mosi-oa-Tunya (Victoria Falls) on the Zambezi river. And I paid attention as the landlocked nation struggled with the internal instability: the product of 140 years of colonialism and 30 years of Robert Mugabe’s leadership. In 2017, a coup forced out Robert Mugabe. And in 2018 democratically elected their third president Emmerson Mnangagwa.

In 2018 the movie Black Panther opened (btw, I can’t say enough nice things about this movie, I completely loved it). It’s depictions of women as intelligent and powerful are so incredible and unique. I think this should be a must-see movie for all little girls. Much like Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters, Black Panther shines a light on African Pride with a depth and care that makes it a touchstone.

My favorite character, general of the Dora Milaje, Okoye is played by Danai Gurira. And here’s where my life circles back to Zimbabwe. Danai Gurira is the daughter of Zimbabwean immigrants. Born in Grinnell, Iowa, she returned to Zimbabwe with her family in 1983 after the country declared it’s independence.

When she returned to the USA she began a career as a play-write. Her three plays: In the Continuum (about HIV in Zimbabwe), Eclipse (set in Liberia), and The Convert all address Zimbabwe’s evolution from colonialism through the lens of her feminist perspective.

Learning that she was American Zimbabwean made me love her depiction of Okoye in Black Panther all the more. And, funny enough, I lived a summer in Grinnell, Iowa in the late 1990s. It can really be a small world, if you know more about it.

What connections are your children making to the world around them?

With a beautiful book and a brief encounter, John Steptoe made an indelible mark on my life. One that opened me up to the world around me. It reminds me to pick books and experiences for my children that, in more than a tokenized way, shine light on other parts of the world, cultures, and perspectives. It’s a way to teach your kids lessons without ‘teaching them a lesson’.

Helping our children experience a diversity of culture shapes the people they become and the way THEY view the world. So take advantage of the wealthy of quality children’s books out there. This month I am sharing children’s books in a series of posts with some blogger friends. Make sure to check out my IG for a link to Tomorrow’s post about Rhymes.

And check back here for direct links to the blog posts

Did you have a childhood book that touched your life? Do you have a book you MUST share with your kids? What is it? Tell us in the comments. I want to hear YOUR stories, sharing them adds to everyone’s world. – Leah

We share in Fort Birthday