Why Goats Smell Bad and Other Stories
Benin

Why Goats Smell Bad and Other Stories

by Raouf Mama

Society & Class Historical Fiction 1998

Summary

Why Goats Smell Bad and Other Stories from Benin is a collection of traditional folktales from the Fon people of Benin, adapted and translated by storyteller and scholar Raouf Mama. Drawing on West Africa’s rich oral storytelling traditions, the collection features tales of orphans, magical twins, kings and queens, spirits, talking animals, farmers, and clever tricksters.

Through imaginative adventures, unexpected transformations, and humorous encounters, the stories explore human behaviour and the consequences of greed, jealousy, pride, and dishonesty. Some resemble familiar folktales from other parts of the world, while others offer distinctive insights into Fon cultural beliefs, customs, and values. Mama also provides notes explaining cultural details and the adaptations made to the original oral narratives.

By preserving stories passed down through generations, the collection celebrates Benin’s cultural heritage and demonstrates how traditional tales can communicate moral lessons, explain the natural world, and illuminate the complexities of human relationships.

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Country
Benin
Africa
About the author
Raouf Mama
Raouf Mama

Raouf Mama is a Beninese author, educator, and internationally acclaimed storyteller who specialises in preserving and sharing the oral traditions of West Africa. Born and raised in Benin, he draws inspiration from the folktales, cultural heritage, and storytelling practices of his homeland. He is renowned for telling traditional stories in four languages: English, French, Fon, and Yoruba. Mama is a Distinguished Professor of English at Eastern Connecticut State University in the United States, where he teaches literature and storytelling. His work explores African folklore and the role of oral narratives in education, cultural understanding, and the preservation of collective memory. His first collection, Why Goats Smell Bad and Other Stories from Benin (1998), received a Storytelling World Award. His other books include Why Monkeys Live in Trees and Other Stories from Benin (2006), which won a National Multicultural Children’s Book Award, and Fortune’s Favored Child (2014), a memoir about his life and search for identity. Through his writing and performances, Mama helps bring Benin’s rich storytelling heritage to readers around the world.

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Details
Published
1998
Author
Raouf Mama