Nia: Mary Jean and the green stone
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Cut-out animation is used in this adaptation of Alice Walker's parable concerning nia, a Swahili word meaning self-discipline for the good of the community. Everyone in Mary Jean's rural East African village wears a green stone which shines brightly as a beacon of cooperation. When Mary Jean hesitates to aid a neighbor, her stone flickers less brilliantly. The girl's uncooperativeness mirrors the village's malaise; the crops are not growing and the animals are sick. Realizing that a crisis is affecting the community, a ceremony is held in which the townspeople place their stones in a mosaic. Mary Jean is unable to place her stone with the others and realizes that she must reclaim it with good works. Asking for help from her mother and neighbor, Mary Jean, in turn, does good deeds for them and earns the right to wear the green stone again.
Complete catalog record
Tells the story of the young girl who saps the strength of her rural community by lack of cooperation. Shows how, when she asked for help, she learns to help others.
More in Nguzo Saba-Folklore for Children Series
- Imani: Beegie and the egg 1976
- Kuumba: Simon's New Sound 1978
- Ujima - Modupe And The Flood 1979
- Umoja - Tiger And The Big Wind 1979
- Nia: Mary Jean and the green stone 1982
- Noel's Lemonade Stand (Ujamaa) 1983
Related films
Sources
- 16mm Filmography (legacy record) — year, format, sound, catalog record
- 16mm Filmography editors — title, creator, length, color, description
Original permalink · Record added 2023-02-27 03:04:16