The Market Bowl

Yoyo has listened to Mama C cile's song about how to make ndol (bitterleaf stew) her entire life--long enough to know how to make it herself, now that she is finally old enough. But slicing the bitterleaf, grinding the pumpkin, measuring out the shrimp--it just takes too long. Yoyo is confident that her variation on the stew will be good enough. As Mama C cile and Yoyo set off to market, Mama reminds Yoyo what will happen if she refuses a fair price for the stew--Brother Coin, the Great Spirit of the Market, will put a curse on their market bowl. When Yoyo refuses to heed Mama's advice, she is faced with the task of trying to regain a blessing from the god himself. An original folktale set in modern-day Cameroon, THE MARKET BOWL teaches readers a lesson about patience, humility, and the value of a fair price. Back matter includes further information about Cameroon and its people and traditions as well as a recipe for ndol --Cameroon's national food dish.