Final answer:
Common elements of African storytelling include animal tricksters, like Anansi the spider, who use their wit to convey messages of intelligence overcoming power; audience participation that engages the listeners; and moral lessons that guide behavior and everyday living.
Step-by-step explanation:
Some common elements of African storytelling include animal tricksters, which are characters that use their wit and intelligence to outsmart others, often representing the oppressed outmaneuvering those in positions of power. Prominent in African folklore is Anansi, the trickster spider, who epitomizes this archetype.
Another aspect is audience participation, which serves to engage the listeners and involve them directly in the narrative, creating a communal experience. Lastly, African stories typically include lessons about how to live, imparting moral and practical guidance through the narratives. These tales often tackle serious subjects through the guise of humor or fable, providing comfort and insights on how to navigate a complex world. Unlike the realistic plots that define Western storytelling, African stories blend the fantastic with the nebulous reality to serve the purpose of instruction and entertainment.