Once There Was: A Guide to Palestinian Folk Tales
Every culture has its spooky stories. In Palestine, many of them come from the hikaye, the folk tales that grandmothers told children on long winter nights, often starting with kan ya ma kan: once there was and once there was not.
The world of the hikaye
The tales are mostly told by women, and their heroes are often women too: clever daughters, loyal sisters and brides who trick a ghoul or outsmart a king. There is magic, humor and a strong sense of right and wrong.
A tradition recognized by UNESCO
UNESCO proclaimed the Palestinian hikaye a masterpiece of oral heritage in 2005 and added it to its Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2008, noting that the tradition needs protecting as fewer people tell the stories.
Ghouls and Juha
The ghoul, a shape-shifting monster, appears in many tales and is often defeated by wit rather than strength. Then there is Juha, a trickster who looks like a fool but usually wins. Similar Juha stories are told across the Arab world.
Books to start with
Speak, Bird, Speak Again by Ibrahim Muhawi and Sharif Kanaana, first published in 1989, is the classic English collection. It is perfect for reading aloud this Halloween season.
Our Palestine Hand design, a raised fist in the colors of the flag breaking its chains, celebrates the voices that kept these stories alive.
FAQ
+What does kan ya ma kan mean?
It is the classic opening of Arabic folk tales, meaning once there was and once there was not.
+Who told Palestinian folk tales?
Traditionally older women, such as grandmothers and aunts, told them to children and family.
+What is a ghoul in Palestinian stories?
A shape-shifting monster that heroes usually defeat through cleverness.
+What is the best book of Palestinian folk tales?
Speak, Bird, Speak Again by Ibrahim Muhawi and Sharif Kanaana is the best-known collection in English.
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