Istwa Bouki ak Malis - Istwa Jan Sot ak Jan Lespri - Haitian Folktales Explained

Growing up in Haiti, the best Haitian folkloric tales were always stories about the adventures of Bouki and Malice, or tales of Jan Sot and Jan Lespri.

A "sot" in Haitian creole is a simpleton; in other words an idiot, a moron, dummy or a dimwit.

When someone in Haiti says to you "ala neg gen lespri," it doesn't necessarily mean you are smart or intelligent; it could also mean you are cunning. It could mean you are very good at planning things so you get what you want. It also means you really good at tricking and deceiving other people.

These Haitian folktales about Bouki ak malis, Jan Sot ak Jan Lespri always offered a lesson to be learned about humanity and the precautions you need to take with the people around you.

When you hears these Haitian folktales you realize Bouki is Jan Sot and Malice is Jan Lespri. The characters change names but one of they is always outsmarting the other one.

Growing up in Haiti we all heard stories of Bouki and Ti Malice but have you ever wondered where these two popular characters Bouki and Ti Malice originate from? Here is what I found out.

Read: Bouki and Ti Malice, where do they come from and how did they end up in Haitian folklore and storytelling?

Read more about Haitian Short Stories, Haitian Folktales, Bouki and Ti Malice, Photo Stories

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