Word of Mouth: The Colours of Language (Wolof tales)

A smile that opens the door to the face, sparkling eyes, a body filled with the joy of expressing what loved ones sowed in the heart of the child he once was. What the ears of yesterday’s wide-eyed child heard gives strength to the adult who tells the stories today, so that the bonds necessary for dreams may be forged. 

‘From mouth to ear’ – this is how Boubacar Ndiaye received the Wolof tales passed down by his grandmother and his two mothers, and this is how he, in turn, passes them on. In this interactive performance, he transports the audience to Senegal, beneath the palaver tree of his childhood, to share with them the tales, proverbs, songs, riddles and words of wisdom that help people grow and bring them together. With great generosity, he shares with us the energy and radiance of the joy of being together – just as young and old alike might experience it gathered round the village griot – thereby creating a unique moment of fellowship.

The tales will be told just as they have been passed down, in his mother tongue, Wolof.