Fabric of Folklore

Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale

Fabric of Folklore Season 3

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0:00 | 6:29

Set against the breathtaking landscape of ancient Zimbabwe, Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters is a luminous retelling of one of the world's most beloved folktale patterns — the story of two sisters, one kind and one cruel, and a king in disguise who sees who they truly are. Nyasha's mercy and humility lift her to greatness, while her sister Manyara's ambition and selfishness lead her exactly where she feared most. It's a story that reminds us our character is always on display, even when we think no one is looking.

This gorgeous tale is beautifully connected to the same tale-type explored in the Fairy Tale Flip episode on The Talking Eggs — a Creole folktale from the American South. Watch/Listen that episode to see how the same wisdom about inner worth has echoed across continents and cultures for centuries.

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