Esther Bali

Esther Jummai Bali (born 1947) is a Nigerian writer of folktale stories. Background

Bali is from the Tarok people of Plateau State in north-central Nigeria. She is known for her work in documenting and preserving Tarok oral tradition through written folktales, contributing to the literary representation of a minority ethnic group whose stories were previously transmitted primarily through oral tradition.

Her collection More Tales from Tarokland spans 93 pages and incorporates dialogue into the narration of traditional stories, a technique noted by critics as an attempt to bring the oral quality of storytelling to the written page. Her work Taroh Folktales was adapted into a 55-minute short film.

Works It's Story Time (1987) Taroh Folktales (1990) which was adapted into a short 55 minute movie More Tales from Tarokland (1991) Plays from Tarok Folktales (1994) Tarok Folktales (1994) Learn, Join, and Colour (2000) Esther Bali: A Portrait of an Educationist (2000)