Balladeer’s Blog presents another neglected epic myth from around the world. In this case, Liberia’s Woi Epic of the Kpelle people.
The Woi Epic is often studied for its use of music, dance, singing and audience participation to reflect the action in the story. Think of it as a combination opera, ballet, live drama and Rocky Horror Picture Show screening.
The order of the episodes in the epic is not set in stone and a performance may include only a few of the episodes, all of them or just one. The finish of each episode is marked by the performer(s) announcing “Dried millet, wese” to which the audience repeats simply “wese.”
ONE – Woi, a culture deity and master of ritual magic, and his wife Gelengol are the only living things that exist. After Woi impregnates his wife she eventually gives birth to human beings, chickens, goats, cows, sheep and, after all other life-forms, spiders. (Plenty of African myths feature a female deity giving birth to multiple living creatures and many feature the woman also giving birth to tools and weapons and utensils.)
TWO – Woi notes that the demonic figure Yele-Walo has stolen one of his bulls by sneaking up on it in the form of a rattan plant. Yele-Walo took the bull with him to his hideaway “behind the sky.” Woi prepares for battle and is aided by squirrel-monkeys, tsetse flies and horse-flies. Yele-Walo also steels himself for the upcoming fight. Continue reading
PART TWENTY-NINE – As always part of the fun comes from the way the Fool Killer’s opinions are a mix of today’s left-wing and right-wing attitudes. Some you’ll agree with, others you won’t but it’s always interesting. 
Hello again, everyone! Like FAQ’s I figured I’d address these questions I’ve been asked a lot lately. And thank you for the good wishes regarding recent family hospitalizations. 
NJCAA 1. HUTCHINSON COLLEGE BLUE DRAGONS ### 2. BUTLER (KS) GRIZZLIES ### 3. TRINITY VALLEY COLLEGE CARDINALS ### 4. EAST MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE LIONS ### 5. NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE RANGERS ### 
6. MONROE COLLEGE MUSTANGS ### 7. LACKAWANNA COLLEGE FALCONS ### 8. COPIAH-LINCOLN WOLFPACK ### 9. IOWA WESTERN COLLEGE REIVERS ### 10. CISCO COLLEGE WRANGLERS ### 
THE QUEEN OF APPALACHIA (1901) – Written by Joe H. Borders. This novel features Paul Thornton, a merchant in Kentucky, and his Lost World adventures. While hiking in the wilderness Paul saves a beautiful woman from drowning. The woman is, coincidentally enough, utterly identical to Paul’s girlfriend May Arnold. 
NAIA OVER NCAA DIVISION ONE – The NAIA’s TAYLOR UNIVERSITY TROJANS once again played giant-slayer, this time on the road against NCAA Division One’s BUTLER UNIVERSITY BULLDOGS. The Trojans quieted the home crowd with a 7-0 1st Quarter lead that became a 14-7 advantage by Halftime. The 3rd Quarter ended with Taylor University on top 17-7 before the Trojans held on for a 17-14 Upset win.
NAIA OVER NCAA DIVISION TWO – The NAIA’s ALLEN UNIVERSITY YELLOW JACKETS hosted NCAA D2’s CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY PANTHERS yesterday. The Yellow Jackets led 7-3 in the 1st Quarter but the Panthers went up 10-7 by the break. From there Allen University shut out Clark Atlanta while taking a 13-10 3rd Quarter edge and sealing the Upset 16-10 in the 4th.
NUMBER SEVEN TAKEN DOWN – Meanwhile, down in NCAA Division Three, the SUSQUEHANNA UNIVERSITY RIVER HAWKS traveled to take on the number 7 team in the nation – the JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY BLUEJAYS. A deadlocked 7-7 opening Quarter turned into a 21-7 Bluejays lead at the Half. Neither team scored in the 3rd Quarter but the River Hawks exploded in the 4th for 21 points to win it 28-27. 
Here’s Balladeer’s Blog’s examination of Don McGregor’s 1973-1975 Black Panther story Panther’s Rage. I’m no comic book expert but in my opinion Panther’s Rage surpasses much of the work done by the overrated and overpraised Alan Moore. 
It’s Friday the Thirteenth! In previous years Balladeer’s Blog has examined the 1907 novel Friday the Thirteenth, the odd horror/ arthouse film Friday the Thirteenth: The Orphan and the Texas 27 Film Vault presentation of Friday the Thirteenth Part 3D. This year I’ll take a look at some of the worst Jason Voorhees imitators and forerunners. 
BARTHOLOMEW 
MISTER RABBEY
UPSET IN THE RANKINGS – In NCAA Division Two a Top 25 team got knocked off. The MISSOURI WESTERN STATE GRIFFONS traveled to face the number 22 FORT HAYS STATE TIGERS. The Griffons were chasing the Tigers 3-0 in the 1st Quarter but by Halftime held a commanding 21-3 lead. From there Missouri Western State coasted to a 28-17 victory. 
NUMBER TWELVE TAKES A FALL – Down in the NJCAA the 18th ranked JONES COUNTY COLLEGE BOBCATS welcomed the number 12 team in the nation – the HINDS COLLEGE EAGLES. The Bobcats put the Eagles on Upset Alert by the Half with a 14-7 edge. In the 2nd Half Jones County shut out Hinds College while adding 17 more points of their own. The Bobcats won it 31-7. 
