The Baobab

The baobab tree is the most majestic and ancient tree that grows on the African savannahs. Anne told us that she had long admired this bewildering tree (see "Fun Facts About The Baobab" on page 51), so when she heard David working on a melody with the African balaphone, she suggested they write their own tribute to this tree.

The balaphone is a melodious kind of xylophone, native to Africa, and it is the instrument which introduces this primary song. Its bouncing, quick-paced rhythm serves as the backbone of the piece and brings a happy mood. A very light, upbeat feel is an appropriate salute to this amazing tree that brings joy and sustenance to so many species - and has for hundreds of years!

The lively balaphone is joined by bass, percussion and children at measure 9, with hand claps the first time, then auxiliary percussion the second time filling in every 4th measure starting at measure 12. The strings join the song at measure 1, the second time. Measure 33 begins the lyric-inspired movement section for 24 measures, then back to measure 9 which is a repeat of verse 1. We have chosen single syllable verbs followed by "the baobab." Very simple.

We invite you to substitute verbs or the entire phrase as you or your students would like. Something that will definitely inspire is the supplemental page on the baobab found in this issue on page 36. "Can You Find It?" is reproducible for your students so they can see what the baobab looks like, play the game, and color the picture.

Your older students will enjoy "Fun Facts About The Baobab Tree." In fact, you may consider creating a mini class on African ecology. We've listed two resources we have enjoyed and as always, our website has links available for more information on the baobab.

Whatever you choose, we recommend talking it up, introducing what materials you feel appropriate for the age group(s) you teach, then playing the song - not necessarily in that order! We've had fun researching the baobab tree and writing about it. It is awesome. Have fun!

A note about pronunciation: In our research, we have found at least 3 different pronunciations of the word, "baobab." The one we have chosen sounds like "bay-yo-bab." Other pronunciations sound like "bah-o-bab," and "bow-bab." ("Bow" rhymes with "cow.") You may also have heard others! By all means, use which ever one feels best to you.

Other resources for baobab information that may be useful for your class:

• "Tree of Life, The World of the African Baobab," by Barbara Bash, Sierra Club Books, ISBN 0-316-08322-4(pb)
• "The Legend of the African Baobab Tree," written and illustrated by Bobbi Dooley Hunter, African World Press, Inc., ISBN 0-86543-421-2