In a bustling Mossi village of Burkina Faso, a group of children awaited a visit from their aunt. When she arrived, they were overjoyed, but little did they know that their aunt was no ordinary relative, she was a cunning witch. After her stay, she announced her wish to return home, and the children’s mother, wary of the aunt’s dark powers, sang a ritual song to awaken the children’s courage, summoning each one in turn.
“Yam-piga, ten intelligences, will you accompany your aunt?” she called.
“I am Yam-piga, but I will not accompany my aunt,” came the firm reply.
“Yam-wac, nine intelligences, will you accompany your aunt?”
“I am Yam-wac, but I will not accompany my aunt.”
“Yam-ni, eight intelligences, will you accompany your aunt?”
“I am Yam-ni, but I will not accompany my aunt.”
“Yam-yopoc, seven intelligences, will you accompany your aunt?”
“I am Yam-yopoc, but I will not accompany my aunt.”
“Yam-yumbe, six intelligences, will you accompany your aunt?”
“I am Yam-yumbe, but I will not accompany my aunt.”
“Yam-nu, five intelligences, will you accompany your aunt?”
“I am Yam-nu, but I will not accompany my aunt.”
“Yam-nase, four intelligences, will you accompany your aunt?”
“I am Yam-nase, but I will not accompany my aunt.”
“Yam-tabo, three intelligences, will you accompany your aunt?”
“I am Yam-tabo, but I will not accompany my aunt.”
“Yam-yibu, two intelligences, will you accompany your aunt?”
“I am Yam-yibu, but I will not accompany my aunt.”
Finally, the youngest, Yam-yende, was summoned:
“Yam-yende, one intelligence, will you accompany your aunt?”
“I am Yam-yende, and I will accompany my aunt,” she said, calm yet determined.
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Yam-yende was entrusted with carrying her aunt’s heavy basket, its contents clinking softly in the morning sunlight. As they left the courtyard, the aunt spotted an anthill nearby. She rolled inside, and with a shimmer of dark magic, transformed into a massive buffalo, eyes blazing, teeth sharp, intending to devour the clever girl. But Yam-yende, quick of thought, became a sturdy root planted beside the basket. The aunt pawed and sniffed the ground, searching with all her strength, but could not find her. Frustrated, she rolled back into human form and demanded:
“Yam-yende, where have you gone?”
“When you changed into a buffalo to eat me,” replied Yam-yende, “I became a root beside the basket.”
The aunt, misled and slightly impressed, handed the basket to Yam-yende, and they continued along the path.
Further on, the aunt noticed another anthill. Once again, she rolled inside, transforming into a buffalo with a hungry glare. Yam-yende, agile and quick-witted, became a tiny fly and clung to the basket. The aunt, deceived by a root she tore from the earth, strained to find the girl, but to no avail. Once again, she returned to human form, exasperated:
“Yam-yende, where did you go?”
“When you became a buffalo to devour me, I became a fly and stuck to the basket,” replied the clever girl.
The aunt muttered, “Take the basket, let us go on,” acknowledging Yam-yende’s cunning.
Not long after, the aunt saw yet another anthill. Rolling inside, she transformed once more into a buffalo, teeth bared and muscles tensed to capture Yam-yende. But this time, the girl turned into a needle, hidden within the basket’s weave. The aunt tore the basket apart in fury, yet Yam-yende’s cleverness prevailed. Realizing the girl’s brilliance and unable to outwit her, the aunt finally returned the basket and ordered Yam-yende home, acknowledging silently that she was too clever to be harmed.
Yam-yende returned to her village, her intelligence celebrated and her bravery honored. The children spoke of her wit for generations, and the tale of her courage and cleverness spread across the Mossi lands.
Moral Lesson
This tale teaches the enduring power of intelligence, courage, and resourcefulness. Even in the face of danger, careful thinking and clever strategies can overcome seemingly insurmountable threats. Yam-yende’s story reminds us that bravery paired with wisdom is a force stronger than raw power.
Knowledge Check
Who is Yam-yende, and why is she important?
She is the youngest child who cleverly outwits her witch aunt, demonstrating courage and intelligence.
What powers does the aunt possess?
She is a witch who can transform into a buffalo to attempt to capture Yam-yende.
How does Yam-yende evade her aunt’s attacks?
She transforms into a root, a fly, and finally a needle to escape capture.
What lesson does the story highlight about wisdom?
Intelligence and cleverness can triumph over brute strength and danger.
What role does the basket play in the story?
It is both a tool and a hiding place, allowing Yam-yende to cleverly evade the aunt.
Where does this folktale originate?
Mossi people of Burkina Faso.
Source: Mossi folktale, Burkina Faso
