African Myths & Legends

Myths & Legends

by Philip Ardagh, Georgia Peters (Illustrator)

A skillful retelling of myths and legends representative of the different cultures of the ancient continent of Africa, especially the Alur, Ashantic, Chaga, Dogon, Fon, Khoi, and Yoruba

Genres: Mythology

Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Over six-and-a-half feet tall, with a bushy beard, Philip Ardagh is not only very big but also very hairy. He is the author of the Eddie Dickens Trilogy and when not writing silly books, Mr. Ardagh is quite serious and frowns a great deal. He lives in a seaside town somewhere in England with his wife and their son, Fred.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first installment of Philip Ardagh's eight-volume World Book Myths & Legends Series, this anthology of African tales is taken from a number of different regions and cultures, from Nigeria's Yoruba to the Alur people of Uganda. With a basic introduction, seven tales, extensive suggestions for further reading at the rear, a mythological "Who's Who," a glossary, and an inclusive index, African Myths & Legends follows the same basic format as the other entries in the series. Selections include:

The Challenge and the Messenger, a Nigerian myth in which the god of water, Olokun, challenges the supreme deity Olodumare for his title.

The Battle with Death, a Khoi tale from South Africa, in which a man challenges Gaunab (Death) to a fight, in hopes of saving his people during a time of famine, eventually becoming the rain-god Tsui'goab as a consequence.

How Animals Came, a myth of the Dogon people of Mali, in which the god Amma creates the world and its people, and his mischievous creation steals animals from him, to further populate the world.

The Race to Be King, an Alur tale from Uganda, in which two brothers - Frog and Lizard - must race to their father's home, the winner to be declared king.

Kigbo and the Bush Spirits, a Yoruba cautionary tale, in which a stubborn man learns too late that the Bush Spirits should not be meddled with, and that it is best to be contented with a modest field close to home.

The Children of the Gourds, a Chaga tale from Tanzania, in which a lonely Old Widow Woman is given children by the mountain spirit, only to lose them when she becomes impatient and speaks harshly.

The Lion Man and the Cattle, another tale from Mali, in which a cunning lion disguises himself as a medicine man, in order to gain cattle from a group of herdsmen.


Unfortunately, like the two other continental, rather than cultural, collections in the set ( North American Myths & Legends and South American Myths & Legends ), this feels insufficient, leaving important traditions unrepresented. Just as the South American volume completely ignored the Spanish and African traditions, and the North American one omitted Mexico, this title does not include a single tale from North or East Africa. Of course, with only 64 pages (40, leaving out the introductions and appendices), it would be impossible to cover every culture and nation on the continent, but it would have been nice to see at least one from each region. But readers should still be aware that this is more of a sampling than an introduction, and not the best one at that. I would recommend they look for Verna Aardema’s Misoso: Once Upon a Time Tales from Africa , or Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales .

[Mafalda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Encontrei este livro recentemente, juntamente com os outros da mesma coleção, que eram dos meus livros favoritos quando era miúda. Fascinavam-me todas estas pequenas histórias fantásticas, mas o melhor eram as ilustrações, que me inspiraram a um dia produzir um livro ilustrado (o que nunca aconteceu, mas sei lá, talvez ainda não seja tarde).

Claro que não deixa de ser um livro para crianças, mas ainda assim deu-me muito prazer em relê-lo e relembrar-me de como estes contos me fascinavam tanto.

Este não é, nem nunca foi dos meus livros preferidos da coleção - coleção esta que nunca completei, e ando agora a tentar descobrir os livros que ainda me faltam.

Histórias incluídas neste livro:
- O Desafio e o Mensageiro - mito dos Iorubas sobre Olokum, deus da água, e o seu desafio a Olodumare, o Todo-Poderoso.
- A Batalha Contra a Morte - mito da tribo Khoikhoi sobre a luta de Tsui'goab contra Gaunab, a Morte.
- Como Apareceram os Animais - mito dos Dogones que fala de como as pessoas trouxeram os animais para a Terra.
- A Corrida para ser Rei - mito Alur sobre dois irmãos, um sapo e um lagarto, que querem ser reis.
- Kigbo e os Espíritos do Mato - mito dos Iorubas sobre um homem teimoso que quis plantar milho num mato cheio de espíritos.
- Os Filhos das Cabaças - conto do povo Chaga sobre uma viúva velha que vê as suas cabaças transformarem-se em crianças.
- O Homem-Leão e o Gado - mito do Mali sobre um grupo de pastores que vê o seu gado ser constantemente atacado por um leão.

[Brenyn W · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought it was interesting but it was very boring. I will give it a 1. My choice for the rating was one because it had so much vocabulary. It wasn't facts so that why I hated it.