The signifying monkey is a character of African-American folklore that derives from the trickster figure of Yoruba mythology, Esu Elegbara. This character was transported with Africans to the Americas under the names of Exu, Echu-Elegua, Papa Legba, and Papa Le Bas. Esu and his variants all serve as messengers who mediated between the gods and men by means of tricks.[1] The signifying monkey is "distinctly Afro-American" but is thought to derive from Yoruban mythology, which depicts Echu-Elegua with a monkey at his side.[2]
Numerous songs and narratives concern the signifying monkey and his interactions with his friends, the lion and the elephant. In general, the stories depict the signifying monkey insulting the lion, but claiming that he is only repeating the elephant's words. The lion then confronts the elephant, who in turn physically assaults the lion. The lion later realizes that the monkey has been signifyin' and has duped the lion, and as a result the lion angrily returns to castrate the monkey and renders him unable to reproduce.[3]
The signifying monkey appears in the following:
It was referenced and can also be heard in the 1990 movie House Party. The father played by Robin Harris mentioned the character Dolomite to his son Kid. He is disappointed that Kid would rather go to a party than stay home with his dad and watch the show. The dad then starts reciting the Signifying Monkey routine as he walks away. The routine can also be heard as the dad has fallen asleep and Kid sneaks out the door (having been now grounded for an incident at school) to attend the party.
In the 1981 George A. Romero film Knightriders, the following is sung at a post-tournament campfire gathering:In the 2019 Craig Brewer film Dolemite is My Name, the following verse is used by filmmaker Rudy Ray Moore (played by Eddie Murphy) in his debut standup show: (0:16:33)