Broughton Street cannot claim to have inspired it, but it did at least stimulate the creation of a new production which will show in Edinburgh tomorrow for the first time.
Mara Menzies – a Kenyan-Scottish playwright, storyteller and performer – spent long hours writing and rewriting her script for Tyi Wara in this part of town's numerous coffee havens.
'My muse was most often lifted in Artisan Roast',' recalls Mara, 'but I would go to others to find another perspective for my characters.'
Using physical storytelling, contemporary dance, and the traditional kora, drum and balafon, Tyi Wara (meaning 'Earth Hero') retells the Bambara people of Mali's fable about a sky god who returns to earth in the form of a handsome antelope. Finding the people there struggling to survive, he teaches them the importance of sustainable farming, social collaboration, and education from one generation to another.
[img_assist|nid=2744|title=|desc=|link=node|align=right|width=116|height=200]This is an important piece, Mara believes, because the legend of Tyi Wara inspired sustainable agricultural practices in Africa for thousands of years. 'Storytelling in Africa was, and still is, one of the most profound ways to communicate technical knowledge and information in a way that is memorable and informative.'
Toto Tales – the theatrical company Maya founded and now directs – specialises in sharing the huge wealth of African folk culture with a wider audience of children and adults. She sees storytelling as an inspiring, enjoyable and stimulating medium, and one with longer-term benefits for enquiring minds:
'Research has proven and common sense dictates that a child who has heard stories of sorcerers, magical trees, brave princesses and talking crocodiles is far more likely to WANT to read these stories too'.
[img_assist|nid=2745|title=|desc=|link=node|align=right|width=119|height=200]Mara loves Edinburgh as a place in which to be creative: 'We are living in the City of Literature with some world-class writers living and working amongst us. It makes it a very special place to be a story-maker.'
However, she recognises a dearth of 'ethnics' working in the arts in Scotland, and this makes her even more passionate about presenting positive African role models here: 'Not just for people of African heritage but for everyone else too.
'I want my daughter to know her worth, to know there are things worth fighting for. I want her to hear stories of Tyi Wara, Queen Nzinga, Julius Nyerere, Prof Wangari Maathai and she will, whether she wants to or not!'
Tyi Wara – suitable for ages 8 up – will show at the Scottish Storytelling Centre tomorrow, 7–8pm, tickets £6 (£4 concessions): Box Office Tel. 556 9579.
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