I went looking for information about the program, perhaps there is a story archive somewhere. Instead, I ran across this forum where someone alleged that the Tales by Moonlight videos are lost.
“I recently spoke with a family friend who says when he went to visit, he went to NTA to ask to buy the Tales by Moonlight videos. They told him they were all lost.If true, as they say then, only in Nigeria”However, with some more searching, I was able to buy a Tales by Moonlight book published in 2002 from the African Books Collective at Michigan State University Press. The book is a collection of eight Tales by Moonlight stories representing each of Fulani, Urhobo, Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, Ijaw, Ibibio and Efik ethnic groups (just a few of the many ethnic groups in Nigeria). Now I would like to contact NTA to seek permission to post one or a few of these stories on allfolktales but alas, the Contact Us link on their website does not work and I see no email addresses anywhere. Similarly, the forum is currently unavailable. I hope these are fixed soon.
29 comments:
Sure theres no more tales by moonlight videos any more. If thats true, then its really bad.
There is much wisdom in African storytelling...loss of the complete collection of "Tales by Moonlight" videos is indeed tragic
I agree, if the collection is lost, that is indeed tragic. However, it is not a verified fact, so there is still hope.
As of this morning though, the link to the NTA website does not even have their website - I hope they didn't neglect to pay their annual domain fees.
It's realy sad, it's not only Tales by moonlight. Much of our history has been thrown away. All those histroical speeches that were made before we got out independence, the coup plotters and much more. It's no wonder that we can never make a good hostorical film. God help us!
pls pls tell me you found the tales. I so loved those stories by aunty. It was the highlight of my whole family's week. I still remember the glee i felt whenver the team song started. God I would give a lot of money to get a copy of the videos.
I wish/hope it isn't true that most of our history has been thrown away...I'm hoping misplaced to be later found is a more accurate representation. I'm hoping. Talking of historical speeches, coup plotters and more, I bought a set of DVDs (video CDs?) that I believe was called "Biafra". From the packaging, it looked like it would contain some good historical stuff...I was sorely disappointed as there was no sound and the picture was equally suspect. I will search for the CDs (if I haven't thrown them away) and write more about them.
temite, I did not find the tales as I did not continue my search for them. I do hope they exist and I would so love to see 'aunty' again. I believe it used to air on Sunday evenings...was it 6pm? I used to look forward to it.
nawa oh...nigeria. why can't anything be maintained properly except the pockets of our politicians?
Hello,
I also remember that those tales by moonlight were later put into animation. Now I am helping a professor of mine who is writing a book on Animation (compiling the section on Nigeria)
Does anyone have a clue as to how to find out details concerning those animated series. I am not looking for the fil but stuff like:
-The length of the animated series
-The dates
-The director
-The animators who worked on the series
I would appreciate any information.
It is really a shame that we do not have an archivial system in Nigeria.
How could people so carelessly run down a nation that information like these completely disappears.
Thanks in advance for any information.
We are a new animation studio focusing on such stuff like african folk tales.
http://www.shrinkfish.com
Was tales by moonlight on NTA 2 channel 5 or was that Storyland?
i miss those good old times
Does anyone know the aunty's real name
Tale By Moonlight #childhoodmemories
No past records? This is sad
Dont even remind me of those good evenings with tales by moonlight.
If truly those Tales By Moonlight tapes are lost, it is a thing of shame!
How do you explain the fact that some of the materials that built us into who we are, and made us decipher good from bad using the typical African setting and dramatic technique lost? With due respect, that is irresponsibility on the part of the highly placed NTA management. Something is wrong. Please get these materials. Our children and yet unborn children need them.
I used to be one of the kids on Tales by Moonlight and I have been looking for the videos too. I now live in the States and so wanted my kids to see them. Very sad if lost. By the way, aunty's real name was Nkem Orakwe.
I used to be one of the kids on Tales by Moonlight and I have been looking for the videos too. I now live in the States and so wanted my kids to see them. Very sad if lost. By the way, aunty's real name was Nkem Orakwe.
Hello Ivy, thanks for leaving a comment and sharing 'aunty's' name. It's great to have input from one of the kids on the show. It's sad to learn that even you have been looking for the videos.
I rarely get comments on this blog, but this post (which coincidentally will turn 6 years old tomorrow) continues to get a steady trickle. It demonstrates the connection many Nigerians who grew up with Tales by Moonlight made with the show. It wasn't just about the allfolktales, I think. It probably wasn't about the allfolktales at all, but about having characters on TV that many of us could relate with. There may have been other shows, but they probably did not run as long or have as broad a coverage as Tales by Moonlight did. I still hope that they are not lost, or are recovered...before the next anniversary of this post.
please you we come together and find ways of reviving those good old memories for the sake of our children? now im trying to remember these stories to share with my children, i can'T really put them together, that's how i stumbled on your sight. pls kee d job rolling, dnt get discouraged.
I am not surprised with everybody's comments because we all know the intent of these stories then. We shouldn't be expecting our governmental administration to have the archive history of those videos because they are liquidity assets that can be turned into Billions of Naira (cash). So we should be trying on how to develop modern story telling about this corrupt leaders. Thank you.
Very wonderful I luv dis blog, nd also the tales by moonlight was a great tv program. #goodmemories
i miss watching tales by moonlight, i remember i couldn't watch it unless i was done with my homework.
Hmmmm, good old days, used to sit very close to the T.V set, shows like that should be revived.
We can all revive "Tales by moonlight." Bet our kids will love it!
I think tales by moonlight really resonates for us that grew up with it. I haven't made any inquiries about the NTA archives though I still have hope that 'someone' kept something. It would be great if they (or someone) did a remake, something for the new generation.
As a 90's child I loved this show, it gave a nearly indescribable feeling to a city child like me, it was pure, magical, capitivating and served a great purpose of uniting the future generations. I am now a Nigerian in diaspora, and searched this to share a bit of my Proud childhood with my partner and child, shame I can't.
I employ all my fellow Nigerians to seek ways to revive the essential spirit and purpose of this show. propaganda I have come to believe is the bedrock of every great nation, the belief in the greatness of one's nation is invaluable to her success, something I think is lacking in our generation.
thats so sad.... same here.... i've been looking.... those shows basically shaped our childhood... i've looked and lokked to find some but all to no avail.... theres this other show that aired on nta channel 5 abuja... called tell a tale... it was amazing... i loved it... the budget was pretty low i guess so instead of actors the used illustrations... and there were no kids as extras... just the host and his magic pot... every episode he dips his hand in his magic pot and brings out a story... which he then tellls... because of the illustration style it gave them freedom to tell different stories that cant be told on tales by moonlight... its so sad... we allow such a huge heritage go to waste... well i'm reviving it... working on a project lowkey
@folktaler plz hit me up gistprechi@gmail.com.... i'm really really interested in retelling african folklores
Bad ass program from way back ... fun times
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