West African Folktales
by Jack Berry (Translator, Compiled by), Richard Spears (Introduction by, Editor)
ISBN-10: 081010993X
ISBN-13: 9780810109933
$24.95
Book Specs
Trade Paper
Northwestern University Press
Published on
Oct 1, 1991
Edition
st Edition
Dimensions
6.00x0.90x9.00 Inches
Weight
0.88 Pounds
About the Book
These 123 tales reflect the rich oral tradition of West African folklore. Playful and sly, they teem with talking animals and shape-shifting tricksters, with pacts and promises made and broken, and with impossible deeds done through chicanery and magic. These tales deal with themes common throughout West Africa and the world. Indeed, American readers will recognize such characters as Brer Rabbit and the "tar baby," which had their roots in the folklore of this region. Because there is no overlay of Western values, however, some of the morals may surprise the unsuspecting reader--murder and polygamy, cannibalism and cunning, witchcraft and revenge spin matter-of-factly throughout the stories.