Samira Bawumia 100% African fashion
Skip Marley Let’s Take it Higher
Vol. 2 Issue 32, 26st March 2021 – 1st April 2021
‘None of us
move forward unless we all
move forward’
Fraser
in conjunction with
Ayres
Youth Standing Up Against Racism
2 Transform your viewing...
As we mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial discrimination, we battle two pandemics – racism and COVID-19. As the COVID-19 pandemic races through the world, claiming lives and livelihoods, racial divisions are exposed. Young people, everywhere, are standing up for what is right. #FightRacism
THE BUTTERFLY MAGAZINE TEAM Editor-in-Chief Beverley Cooper-Chambers
32
Freedom Is Mine
Contents Cover: Fraser Ayres Credit: Contributed
34 35
10
What’s On The Screen?
36
6
The Disruptor
20 22
Samira Bawumia
40 42 44 I Church
Laughter
8
Zanele Muholi
26 Library
Regular Features Fayida Jailler (UK), Efosa Osaghae Cecelia Livingston - (Caribbean Correspondent) Design Editor Rusdi Saleh Graphics Butterfly logo by Wayne Powell (Jamaica) ADVERTISING Sales@butterflymagazine.net
ENJOY READING & WATCHING BUTTERFLY Magazine ON YOUR SMARTPHONE All correspondence to: admin@butterflymagazine.net For Advertising enquiries contact: sales@butterflymagazine.net
New Release
Cover Story Fraser Ayres
Marketing Advisor Michael Brown — Social Media Analyst
Financial Strategic Advisor Nastassia Hedge-Whyte, MAAT, ACCA,ICAJ
Martinique
Current Affairs
Editorial Researcher Tasina J. Lewis
Social Media Marketing Kwame Asuahene
Namibia
4
EDITORIAL TEAM Karen Ferrari, Simone Scott-Sawyer, Melissa Osborne, Rhea Dehaney, Bob Chaundy
Butterfly Magazine is published by The Lion and the Lamb Media House Ltd, 86-90 Paul Street, London EC2A 4NE , UK. Tel: (44) (0) 203 984 9419 Butterfly ™ 2015 is the registered trademark of THE LION AND THE LAMB MEDIA HOUSE LIMITED ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Reproduction in whole orin part is prohibited without written permission fromthe publishers THE LION AND THE LAMB MEDIA HOUSE LIMITED. No copyright infringement is intended.
Last Word Transform your viewing...
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Current
Affairs
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Welcome to the Disruptor
To be a disruptor in business is to create a product, service, or way of doing things which displaces the existing market leaders and eventually replaces them at the helm of the sector. [`the disruptor]
The Jamaican National Ganja Lab
Credit: Ivy Prosper
Less Talk More Action
Why Jamaican Actor Kevoy Burton Moved Ghana Kevoy Burton is a Jamaican actor who moved to Ghana just before the country went on lockdown in March 2020. Why did he leave Jamaica at a time when his acting career was still at its peak? 6 Transform your viewing...
Credit: Dave Weekes
Joseph JOSEPH is an African-Caribbean film featuring actors from Ghana, Jamaica and Barbados. The star Kevoy Burton is a successful doctor in Jamaica working alongside Mawuli Gavor of Ghana, Christopher MacFarland of Jamaica (his dad), Alison Hinds of Barbados (his mom) and Shontelle Layne of Barbados (his sister). This drama sees the family torn apart between the Caribbean and Africa and the discoveries that ensue.
Credit: Wode Maya
Until the lion learns to write, the tale of the hunt will glorify the hunter. (African Proverb)
How A Gambian Carpenter Built
Nigeria’s Biggest Estate (Port Harcourt)
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Black
Arts
Courtesy of the Artist and Stevenson, Cape Town/Johannesburg and Yancey Richardson, New York
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Zanele By Efosa Osaghae
Muholi
Zanele Muholi is not an artist.
T
he South African visionary works in many fields. Photography. Video. Installation. But they are not an artist. They prefer the term visual activist. In their words, arts is seen more as a means to an end. Being an artist can be seen as an occupation for many and that’s why it’s a phrase Muholi rejects. Activism is something that consumes one’s life. Day and night. Because once you stand for something, it’s hard to sit. This is where Muholi operates. Their works look at race, sexuality and identity with a visceral quality that permeates throughout. Muholi’s journey into visual activism began in Johannesburg, South Africa where they studied Advanced Photography. Since then, Muholi has gone on to amass several renowned photography awards such as the ICP Infinity Awad for Documentary and Photojournalism and. They photograph participants, not subjects. By allowing the participants to reaffirm their power, Muholi restructures the typical status roles within photography. However, there isn’t an othering dynamic at play here, it’s more of a dance. A dance between the photographer, viewer and participant. Their most famous work is a selfreflexive ongoing series entitled “Somnyama Ngonyama” in which she turns the lens upon herself. She adopts many disguises and characters to explore the idea of Eurocentrism, labour and blackness. Seeing the same face within many different facades is as alluring as it is transfixing.
Muholi is the first name we’ve covered that actually has work currently in an exhibition. The self-titled exhibition at the Tate Modern has been in play since the 5th of November 2020 and ends on the 31st of May 2021. While the Tate is currently closed due to COVID-19, hopefully, it reopens to allow the public to view Muholi’s masterpiece of activism in the flesh. For now, here’s the trailer.
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Credit: Freepik
Cinema/Video
s ’ t a W hn the o ? n e e Scr 10 Transform your viewing...
LITTLE
Credit: Movieclips Trailers/Netflix
MOLLY’S GAME
MOLLY’S GAME is based on the true story of Molly Bloom, an Olympic-class skier who ran the world’s most exclusive high-stakes poker game for a decade before being arrested in the middle of the night by 17 FBI agents wielding automatic weapons. Her players included Hollywood royalty, sports stars, business titans and finally, unbeknownst to her, the Russian mob. Her only ally was her criminal defense lawyer Charlie Jaffey, who learned that there was much more to Molly than the tabloids led us to believe. Credit: Netflix
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Sesame Street
Sesame Street is introducing two new Black Muppet characters as part of their initiative to tackle race and racism through the show. The nonprofit educational wing of the show, Sesame Workshop, is developing its racial justice curriculum both on and off-screen. The children’s show has launched resources online in English... Credit: Sesame Street
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The Old Settler
Quilly, newly separated from her husband, has come to live with her never-married sister Elizabeth. She is dismayed to learn that her cash-strapped sibling has rented a room in their modest Harlem apartment to a handsome young boarder, Husband Witherspoon. A naive country boy, Husband has traveled from rural South Carolina to search for his hometown sweetheart, Lou Bessie. Credit: ReelBlack
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13
Dalitso – Zambian Movie
What seemed to be the bright future for Mercy turned out to be hell when her stepfather Mr. Banda forced himself on her Devastating her school and social life. Her own mother won’t contain the situation after learning that Mercy is even worse pregnant. Ceedit: TidPix
14 Transform your viewing...
Where Is Honey? – Jamaican Movie
Most of the times it takes the closest person around you to bring you down. Credit: Richard Brown
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All About Love
’All about Love’ is a love triangle story which involves two inseparable love birds (Chris Attoh) and (Katlego Danke) who faces the bitter side of love when cheating and betrayal hits their relationship. Credit: Movie Central
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Safety
The strength of family will build an unstoppable team. Watch the brand-new trailer for Safety, the inspiring true story of former Clemson University safety Ray McElrathbey. Credit: Walt Disney Studios
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UMBRELLA
Inspired by true events and filled with messages of empathy and hope, Umbrella follows Joseph’s story, a boy who lives in an orphanage and dreams of having a yellow Umbrella. Credit: Stratostorm 18 Transform your viewing...
Recoiled
An animated short created by students in Missouri State University’s Electronic Arts Program. Produced by Shalom Simmons and Kersten Schatz. Directed and edited by Claire Grim. Story by Shalom Simmons and Claire Grim. Written by Kersten Schatz. Art direction by Shelby Corley. Technical direction by Matthew Fuller. Sound design and score by Brandon Huddleston. Executive produced by Mark Biggs, Colby Jennings, and Andrew Twibell. Credit: Electronic Arts / Missouri State University
LAUGH TIL YOU CRY!
What Yuh Know Season 6, Episode 3 (Grenada) Credit:What Yuh Know Transform your viewing...
19
New
Photos and Video: Contributed
Releases
Skip Marley Moving on to A Higher Place By Cecelia Campbell-Livingston
S
kip Marley, son of Cedella Marley and David Minto has been doing an impressive job of living out his grandfather – Bob Marley’s legacy. The 24-year-old has already achieved a feat his older generations didn’t – a top 10 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart with his Katy Perry collab Chained to the Rhythm. It peaked at number 4. That proved to be his ‘hello world’ call and he has not looked back. Now the hitmaker is moving on to a “higher place” with his latest album and accompanying documentary, Let’s Take It Higher, which was produced by Boomshots.
20 Transform your viewing...
In an interview with Butterfly Magazine, he spoke about the inspiration behind the project. “That idea of a higher state of mind, a higher vibration, a higher state of consciousness for the whole of mankind, you know? -- and it’s not a dream -- it’s a reality -- the same thing my grandfather said,” he shared. Last Sunday, March 14, the winner of the Reggae category for the Grammy Awards was announced, and although Skip was nominated for his Higher Place album– he only had one wish and that was for his ‘uncle’ the late Toots Hibbert to walk away with the award for his album, Got To Be Tough. He was no doubt excited when his wish came through.
“Uncle Toots is the foundation and I’m happy to see him recognized for his great works,” were his honest and humble words which gave an insight of how he has already reached ‘a higher place’ where his reasoning is concerned. Bearing the name ‘Marley’ can come with its own sets of pressure, as there is a lot to live up to, but Skip is not feeling any kind of stress. In fact, he told the magazine what he feels is the “strength and legacy”. “The name is a light on the world and it’s because of my family that I’m able to do this,” is how he sees it. Getting back to the documentary, Skip says it documents ‘this moment in time’ which is today’s reality, and comes chock full of music and love. He is not giving away too much from the 25-minute project, as he invites everyone to “watch and find out more”. Weighing in also on the documentary, director Reshma B said she felt it was important to do the project which was done in the heart of the pandemic after seeing Skip develop as an artiste over the years. After hearing his latest project – she said it was clear his voice is important.
“Let’s Take it Higher’ shows Skip at home during the pandemic living life just like the rest of us. The film features his collaborators, H.E.R, Rick Ross, D Smoke, Damian Marley and Rick Ross. There are also appearances from his mother Cedella Marley, Grandmother Rita and his aunt Marcia Griffiths,” she shared. The documentary which premiered over two weeks ago, has been receiving rave reviews from those who watched it. According to Reshma B, a lot of people have been saying the piece didn’t seem like it was 25 minutes long, and they wanted more, which she shared is nice to hear. For those watching the documentary, Reshma B said the one thing she hopes they take away from the experience is that everybody has their own definition of the “Higher Place”. “It’s a higher state of mind that’s different for each of us,” she said of the project that was directed by herself and co-produced by Rob Kenner for Boomshots Media. Transform your viewing...
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Cover
Story
Fraser Ayres
‘None of us move forward unless we all move forward’ By Melissa Osborne 22 Transform your viewing...
BM: Along with your wife, Minnie Ayres, and your friend, the actor Jimmy Akingbola, you run a production company, Triforce Creative Network. What was the catalyst behind starting this organisation? FA: The production company is Triforce Productions, the overall branch of the organisation is the Triforce Creative Network and that holds the production company and Dandi.org.uk which is our work recruiting inclusively in our industry. We set up Triforce in 2003. Jimmy and I were up in Edinburgh doing a play together and it’s interesting when you are in Edinburgh because everybody is very collaborative. But when you come down, to say London, it’s a very competitive industry. We were up there, and we managed to hijack this nightclub called The Establishment and because our show was quite popular, we managed to get a whole bunch of people into this club. I turned to Jimmy one night and I was like, ‘What if we could do this in London?’ BM: In October, during Black History Month here in the UK, your comedy panel show, Sorry I Didn’t Know, ran weekly. How did it feel to be working with ITV on a show exploring Black history? FA: It was incredible working with ITV! They commissioned the pilot originally and then went on to commission the series. We were expecting to have lots of conversations with ITV where we were having to explain why something is in or why a joke is acceptable in a way that that joke isn’t, and they didn’t. Very early on they said, ‘We
want you guys to make the show that you want to make, but we want to support you to make the best version of that!’ BM: What are some of the challenges that Black British creatives currently face? FA: We don’t have long enough! (laughing) It’s circumstances and social - the money isn’t being put into those communities. Then you’ve got nepotism and how networks are made and the systemic racism in our industry - it’s innumerable! But saying that, what we have seen since last year has been a completely different conversation. And we’re in a position now to say if you’re Black and you’re in our industry, just call me! Because it’s like that at the moment. BM: Do you feel generally speaking that Black people are willing to work with other Black people in order to help them be successful, or is there a disconnect? FA: It’s nuanced. I’m not just going to say yes, because it’s not that simple because there are plenty of brothers and sisters who have moved forward and are playing it down the line. However, what you are talking about is a real fundamental issue of our communities. And it’s an issue that’s been going on for a long, long time. And I think it also comes about because the opportunities have been so few and far between, you can’t help but covet what you feel that you have earned! Personally, I feel that it is shortsighted because I’m really a big believer in none of us move forward unless we all move forward.
Sorry, I Didn’t Know l Behind the Scenes
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BM: Should Black creatives focus on trying to break into typically white spaces? Or should we create Black owned opportunities where we are centre stage? FA: Both! We all want to be on the BBC and on ITV. Speaking to Jimmy Akingbola, he wants to work in the UK, but he’s had to go to LA. That doesn’t mean we don’t love that life, but he’s had to. Idris Elba and Daniel Kaluuya had to leave but they want to do things here. John Boyega, one of the most famous Black men on the planet, money everywhere, my man’s in a BBC drama with Small Axe! We want to work in those traditionally white spaces because one, there is
Welcome to TriForce Creative Network validation there, and two, there is a knowledge within our communities and certainly within my arrogance that says I can do it and I can do it better! BM: And so, you mentioned Small Axe - Steve McQueen showcased this series on the BBC last year. What were your thoughts on the stories told, the production and the opportunity? FA: It was fantastic for Steve to be doing his ting on BBC! Interestingly about Small Axe, when Steve was doing it, he made those comments about there’s no Black crew. Steve never got in touch with us. Our crew network, just production crew, is 12,000 people! So, it was a fantastic thing that it was on but again it was an opportunity where we literally could have gotten so many brothers and sisters’ work. BM: You were recently shortlisted for The Imison Award for your radio play MAYNARD which was broadcast on BBC radio 4. How did that story come about? FA: I wrote Maynard in 2008 and we’ve done readings at the Triforce, and for the BBC. For years and years, we tried to get it commissioned - it’s basically a modern day Desmonds. So, it’s been a really lovely end of a journey for that. I feel quite honoured and blessed for it.
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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW | Jimmy Akinbola and Fraser Ayres BM: Congratulations! What advice would you give to a Black creative of any age who is trying to succeed in media right now? FA: Without a doubt, get in contact with Triforce! We will literally do what we can to support you and get you a job. I would say to anybody of any age at the moment who’s reading this magazine that this is a time like no other and if you do have a creative spirit and you have been thinking about exercising it or maybe returning to the industry after being long done with it, then I would say now is the time for it!
BM: Triforce Creative Network has many branches, including MonologueSlam, WriterSlam, and Dandi. What is coming up for the company in the next few months? FA: We’ve just launched a ground-breaking thing with UKTV where we’ve put out the call for writers and we’re going to select six and take them straight away into paid development. Then we’re going to select four, film them in October and they’re going to be on Dave in 2022. So, the entry criteria is for people to submit stories that they want to write. Full stop!
Fraser Ayres & Minnie Ayres TriForce Short Film Festival - Interviews
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Library
CHOCOLATE HANDS & RUBBER
Father stares at the hand and foot of his five-year-old, severed as a punishment for failing to make the daily rubber quota, Belgian Congo, 1904
T
he photograph is by Alice Seeley Harris, the man’s name is Nsala. Here is part of her account (from the book “Don’t Call Me Lady: The Journey of Lady Alice Seeley Harris”): He hadn’t made his rubber quota for the day so the Belgian-appointed overseers had cut off his daughter’s hand and foot. Her name was Boali. She was five years old. Then they killed her. But they weren’t finished. Then they killed his wife too. And because that didn’t seem quite cruel enough, quite strong enough to make their case, they cannibalized both Boali and her mother. And they presented Nsala with the tokens, the leftovers from the once living body of his darling child whom he so loved. His life was destroyed.
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Credit: Face2FaceAfrica
We Have Value
Belgium’s Hand-Shaped Chocolates Will Remain an Insult to Victims of Leopold Ii’s Genocide In Congo Transform your viewing...
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Readers’
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EMPATHY POLITICS Send letters, videos to: editor@butterflymagazine.net 28 Transform your viewing...
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Butterfly Magazine Continually Introduces The Groundbreaking Work of Black Creatives to a Global Audience
MEDIA KIT 2021 BUTTERFLY TELEVISION & FILM MAGAZINE
Jojo’s Bangkra ‘Sow your
Passion’
At Jojo’s Bangkra we create the most stylish fabric tote bags and accessories for all life’s adventures … so you can ‘Sow your Passion’. The idea for Jojo’s Bangkra was born out of a desire to see more handcrafted fabric bags in the leisure market that incorporated some of the traditional craft methods used in the past. We are passionate about our craft and lovers of ‘fabric bags’. We love weaving and mixing different fabric colours, textures, sewing methods, painting techniques and fashioning them into wearable works of art. Our designs are influenced by the beauty and complexity of the islands as we explore picturesque countryside and comb craggy shorelines cataloging their unique elements to then represent them in our products. We believe in sustainable practices and support the preservation of traditional craft methods handed down through the ages. We are happy to be able to offer such a product to you our fellow ‘fabric bag’ lovers to express your passion. Life offers endless possibilities, ‘Sow your Passion’ whatever it may be and soar!
Jojo
The word ‘Bangkra’ in Jamaica refers to a big basket and is synonymous with harvest time, a time of plenty. Email: Jojosbangkra@gmail.com Mobile: (246) 827 4847 Follow us on: https://www.facebook.com/JojosBangkra/ https://www.instagram.com/jojosbangkra/
Freedom
Is Mine
S
South Korea
outh Korea is one of the most ethnically homogenous countries in the world – over 99% of South Koreans ethnically identify as Korean. There are no concrete statistics on the size of the Afro-Korean population; needless to say, it is small but it does exist! The African diaspora in South Korea is largely comprised of Africans and African Americans who have moved to Korea to study, for work or because they have been deployed by the military. There is a small minority of native AfroKoreans, by and large they are the biracial children of Korean women and AfricanAmerican servicemen. This dates as far back as the 1950s, when the US deployed forces in South Korea during the
By FAYIDA JAILLER
Korean war, where North Korea (supported by China and the Soviet Union) fought for control against South Korea (supported by the US and the UN). South Korea saw a spike in mixed-race, half black children, many of whom were given up for adoption. Racist attitudes at the time meant that some Afro-Korean orphans were reportedly deliberately starved, and in some cases denied a formal education. As a result, in 1955 the US State Department petitioned American families to adopt ostracised Afro-Korean children. Over time there have been greater waves of African migrants coming to South Korea to study or work, and although the black presence in South Korea is still relatively small, TV and social media has meant that some Afro-Koreans have enjoyed a great amount of fame and media attention. South Korea Han Hyun-min by @h_h_m0519
South Korea American Newspaper Adopt Afro Korean Baby by Dream Water Children 32 Transform your viewing...
South Korea Sam Oykere by samokyere1
South Korea Jonathan the Congo Prince by @yjonathanta
One example is the teenager Jonathon known as the ‘Congo Prince’, who was born in the DRC and came to South Korea as a child. Nowadays he is a media sensation in Korea where he frequently appears on television and has almost a quarter of a million subscribers on his YouTube channel. Reportedly the most famous black man in South Korea is Sam Oykere, a Ghanaian-born TV personality. He originally came to Korea after he received a scholarship to study computer science in 2009. He transitioned into the entertainment industry and from early on understood how he could use his position in the media industry to bridge cultural gaps and enlighten attitudes towards black people in Korea. Han Hyun-min is a South Korean model who became the first ever Korean model of African descent to walk the catwalk in Korea. He is biracial; his father is Nigerian and his mother is Korean, Han himself was born and raised in the Korean capital of Seoul.
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Pride of
Namibia
Credit:WWF
Leisure
Namibia Street Food
34 Transform your viewing...
11 Places to See in Namibia
Credit: Handluggageonly.co.uk
Credit;Lempies
(Kapana Experience In Namibia)
Martinique
Credit:Morgane Recipes
Credit: Free High-Quality Documentaries
France in the Carribean
How to make Acras Cod Fish Fritters
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35
Fashion
100% African Samira Bawumia The wife of Ghana’s Vice President showcases stunning African materials and style.
36 Transform your viewing...
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Coming Soon
ASK AUJUN
Mental Health Therapist answers your questions one a month. Aujun - has a Bachelor of Law from (U. W. I), Barbados. A Masters of Education, (U.S. Q) Australia, Masters in Mental Health, Nova University (Florida), and a Masters of Law, NSU Shepard Broad Law School, Florida, May (2021). He worked at Harvard IEL from 2011-2014, Served as U.S. Dept of State, English Language Fellow to South Korea 2010. He is the author of the book” How to get to Age 30, Wise, Healthy and Wealthy published in South Korea)
What does passive aggressive? Why am I afraid to go out now
lockdown is easing? What causes teenage suicides? How do we help our young people? How do I recognise depression before it is too late? I fear for my children after one year of not attending school.
Are video
games really bad for my kids?
How do I get over the fact that
my wife left me for a woman? Send questions to askaujun@butterflymagazine.net. Replies will be published. Aujun cannot reply to individual questions. Names will be withheld 38 Transform your viewing...
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Credit: TBNUK
I Church
The Black History Project -
Featuring
The Spirituals
My God
Will Turn it Around 40 Transform your viewing...
Freshman
Year
“Christian high school graduate is challenged by social and peer pressure during his freshman year in a state university.” Freshman year is a faith based college movie about coming of age. Credit Netflix
Oceans | Hillsong | Cover by Enni Francis ft Kanaan Francis Transform your viewing...
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Laughter
Sculpted 42 Transform your viewing...
A Look at Life
Malý genius
Only in Jamaica Transform your viewing...
43
Last Word
A Dog’s Tale