Nia: Mary Jean and the green stone

Series: Nguzo Saba-Folklore for Children Series

Duration: 5

Year Published: 1982

Creator: Beacon Films

Format: 16mm

Color: Color

Sound: sound

Description: 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 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.