It seems incredible that heretofore there has not been an introductory anthology of African epics presented in English. Western culture traces its literary heritage to such well-known epics as the "Iliad" and the "Odyssey" and "Gilgamesh". But is only recently that scholars have turned their attention toward capturing the rich oral tradition that is still alive in Africa today. The twenty-five excerpts in this volume have been selected and introduced in order to offer English-speaking readers a broad sample of the extensive epic traditions in Africa. The introduction to the volume, and the introduction to each epic will enable students to understand the context of each epic and also develop leads for further inquiry. The book is divided geographically with nineteen epics representing West Africa, two from North Africa, and four from Central Africa. There are bibliographies for each section and epic.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
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"The editors ... must be congratulated ... Long live the African storytellers!" Africa Today "It is difficult to imagine a more practical introduction to contemporary African epic than this anthology ... no other single volume comprehends the full scope of African epic (as opposed to praise poetry) the way this one does... The stories are engaging, and the free-verse translations are surprisingly readable... Recommended for all academic collections." Choice
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1 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
b-o-r-i-n-g!,
By "jojojo@netvision.net.il" (Petach Tikva Israel) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Oral Epics from Africa: Vibrant Voices from a Vast Continent (African Epic) (Paperback)
how could something as interesting as african mythology become this boring? it's a mistery to me.i grew up with african mythology, with the stories, the jungle, the witch-doctors, the animals...all i got here was endless rhymes that might sound great if the story-teller were in front of me but was sleep inducing on paper. so why a 2 star you ask, instead of only one star? for the effort...this book was written based on days/years of hard work...i have to respect that.
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First Sentence:
THESE EXCERPTS ARE FROM TWO NARRATIVES about the rise and fall of the Ghana Empire, known locally as Wagadu because the first city was the home of the Wago, one of the three main peoples who claim descent from the empire and the group that is most closely associated with its founding. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
billhook knife, genie chief, genie twins, wedding arrangers, ten kola nuts, banana paste, excerpt edited, silo bottom, wicked dog, magic powder, paddle strokes Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Lat Dior, Mali Bero, Issa Korombé, Konko Boubou Moussa, Kelefa Saane, Abu Zayd, Ngoné Latir, Akoma Mba, Amiiru Gundaka, Demba War, Niger River, Sira Mori, Abú Zayd, Sere Brèma, West Africa, David Conrad, Yefarma Issaka, Abi Zayd, Almami Samori, Askia Mohammed, Madiodio Déguène Kodou, King of Nyani, Njaajaan Njaay, Long-necked Sara, Oumou Latoma New!
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
THESE EXCERPTS ARE FROM TWO NARRATIVES about the rise and fall of the Ghana Empire, known locally as Wagadu because the first city was the home of the Wago, one of the three main peoples who claim descent from the empire and the group that is most closely associated with its founding. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
billhook knife, genie chief, genie twins, wedding arrangers, ten kola nuts, banana paste, excerpt edited, silo bottom, wicked dog, magic powder, paddle strokes Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Lat Dior, Mali Bero, Issa Korombé, Konko Boubou Moussa, Kelefa Saane, Abu Zayd, Ngoné Latir, Akoma Mba, Amiiru Gundaka, Demba War, Niger River, Sira Mori, Abú Zayd, Sere Brèma, West Africa, David Conrad, Yefarma Issaka, Abi Zayd, Almami Samori, Askia Mohammed, Madiodio Déguène Kodou, King of Nyani, Njaajaan Njaay, Long-necked Sara, Oumou Latoma New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 28
books:
See all 28 books this book cites
9
books
cite this book:
See all 9 books citing this book
- The Epic of Askia Mohammed (African Epic) by Thomas A. Hale on 6 pages
- Scribe, Griot, and Novelist: Narrative Interpreters of the Songhay Empire by Thomas A. Hale on page 125, page 126, and Back Matter
- The Epic of Son-Jara: A West African Tradition (African Epic Series) by John William Johnson on page 11, and Back Matter
- Oral Literature in Africa (Oxford Library of African Literature) by Ruth Finnegan in Front Matter, and Back Matter
- The Merchant of Art: An Egyptian Hilali Oral Epic Poet in Performance (University of California Publications in Modern Philology) (Vol 120) by Susan Slyomovics on page 240, and Back Matter
See all 28 books this book cites
- Griots and Griottes: Masters of Words and Music by Thomas A. Hale on page 132, Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Epic Traditions of Africa by Stephen Belcher in Back Matter
- Reading Africa into American Literature: Epics, Fables, and Gothic Tales by Keith Cartwright in Back Matter
- Son-Jara: The Mande EpicPerformance by Jeli fa-Digi Sisòkò (African Epic) by John William Johnson in Back Matter
- The Cambridge Companion to Homer (Cambridge Companions to Literature) by Robert Fowler in Back Matter
See all 9 books citing this book
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