Marsha’s Folktales Storytelling

Celebrating World Folktales & Fables Week 2025: Marsha Gomes-Mckie’s Contribution to Caribbean Storytelling

World Folktales & Fables Week, held annually from March 16 to 22, is a global celebration of the power of storytelling and the cultural significance of folktales and fables. These narratives, passed down through generations, carry with them not only entertainment but also profound lessons, cultural wisdom, and a sense of shared identity. This week honors the role that these stories play in preserving cultures while also inspiring new narratives that continue to shape our world today.

In the Caribbean, folklore is a treasure trove of vibrant tales that have been nurtured through generations, steeped in the diverse traditions of African, Indigenous, and European ancestry. One writer who has masterfully tapped into this rich cultural wellspring is Marsha Gomes-Mckie. Her works bring Caribbean folklore to life for a new generation, offering readers an exciting blend of mystery, adventure, and cultural exploration. Each of her books introduces new characters and experiences that are deeply connected to the cultural fabric of the Caribbean, all while making these age-old stories accessible to children and adults alike.

Marsha’s writes the Mystikal Jacks series with her daughter, the three books are below.

When Makayla’s granny dies her father gives her a Jack’s game he found in her safe. One stormy day, the box glows and as Makayla tosses the ball and grabs a jack, the unimaginable happens.
Soon she’s responsible for getting Malcolm, Amaya and herself home, trampling through a psychedelic forest, avoiding Jumbees, talking to folklore characters while wrestling with a deep feeling that maybe the game was never supposed to be played and her granny left a secret bigger than all of them. Will Makayla find all the jacks and take them home or are they destined to become a part of the game?

In this level, they must travel to Mama D’leau’s underwater kingdom to find the second jack. Their guide is a bossy octopus and a playful mermaid but still waters eventually get murky as they face danger.
Makayla will do anything to get her team home, even if it means facing a an angry Massacooraman who’s after her game box.
Join the team as they find the second jack and get one level closer to home.

Makayla, her brother Malcolm, and her foster sister Amaya are on level three of Mystikal Jacks during a Folklore adventure. They must navigate through a land on fire to locate another jack. Along the way, they encounter rock monsters, tar-babies, and a flaming Soucouyant, and gain more information about the game from a new acquaintance. Makayla is determined to keep her team together, even if it requires navigating a tar-pit or confronting loners.

The Importance of Books Like these to Literature

Books like 30 Caribbean Folklore legends are crucial, especially within the context of Caribbean storytelling. They serve several important purposes:

Cultural Preservation: As the world becomes more interconnected, it’s vital to preserve unique cultural narratives. Gomes-Mckie’s works act as a bridge between the past and present, ensuring that Caribbean folklore remains a vital part of global literary heritage.
Representation: For children and adults of Caribbean descent, seeing their own cultural myths and characters represented in literature is powerful. These stories provide a sense of identity, pride, and belonging, fostering a deeper connection to one’s roots.
Inspiration for Future Storytellers: By introducing new characters, who face age-old Caribbean fears and mysteries, Gomes-Mckie provides an inspirational model for other writers. Her work proves that folklore is not just a static relic of the past but a living, breathing art form that can evolve and inspire future generations.
Broadening Global Understanding: The universal themes within Caribbean folklore, such as good versus evil, courage in the face of fear, and the power of family, resonate with readers worldwide. These stories have the power to connect diverse audiences, fostering a greater understanding of Caribbean culture and traditions.

30 CARIBBEAN FOLKLORE LEGENDS

This book explores 30 popular folklore myths and characters throughout the Caribbean, what they are known for, how to protect yourself against them and what they look like. Take a walk with me as we explore the folklore characters of the Caribbean. (Featured Folklore: Anancy, Buck / Baccoo, Chickcharney, Churile, Ciguapa, Douens, Drums, Fairymaid/Mermaid, Gang Gang Sara, Halfway Tree (Silk Cotton Tree), Heartman, Hummingbirds, Jinn. Jumbee/Duppy, Kanaima, La Diablesse, Lagahoo, Lusca, Malju, Mama D’leau, Massacooramaan, Midnight Robber, Moko Jumbie, MoonGazer/Phantom, Papa Bois, River Mumma and the Golden Table, Rolling Calf, Saapin, SouCouYant and the Three-Footed-Horse.)

ADULT ROMANCE / PARANORMAL PRINT TITLES

The story tells of the making of the very first ball of fire. Trinidad wavers between the British and the French and SouCou is a slave, stolen from her beloved homeland. Born a Sharman in Africa she is a prized possession because of her talents, she finds love then heart break but through it all she wants her daughter to be free. She refuses to believe that her new owner Governor Yant will keep any of his promises and instead bargains with the God of Fire, Shango to grant her heart’s desire in exchange for her very soul … but SouCou’s rage is so powerful that she does not die, and becomes a new creature of the night …

As we celebrate World Folktales & Fables Week, Marsha Gomes-Mckie’s work stands out as a shining example of how folklore can be both preserved and reinvented for modern readers. Her books are more than just captivating stories – they are an essential part of keeping Caribbean folklore alive and relevant in today’s literary world. Through her storytelling, Gomes-Mckie ensures that the rich, diverse traditions of the Caribbean continue to inspire and educate future generations. For those looking to dive into the mystical world of Caribbean folklore, her books are undoubtedly the best place to start.

Aajumbee Publishing House is based in Trinidad, in the Caribbean. Aajumbee publishes a range of genres from Children, Youth Adult, Fantasy Romance and Non-Fiction.

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