ABORIGINAL FABLES and Legendary Tales

by Alexander Wyclif Reed

Introduction Living close to nature and dependent on his powers of observation for survival, the Australian aborigine might well be expected to have manufactured a number of myths and legends to account fo rth origin of animals, birds, insects, reptiles, and fish, and for their behaviour and appearance; but to those who are not familiar with aboriginal folklore it comes as a surprise to discover how many of these stories have been inherited by the various tribes. Even more surprising is the wealth of imagination,the sense of humour, the ingenuity and variety of the campfire tales that have been told and retold for hundreds of years in different parts of Australia.

Genres: Mythology, Folklore, Australia, Fantasy

Paperback

About the author

Alexander Wyclif Reed (1908 – 1979), also known as Clif Reed and A. W. Reed, was a prolific New Zealand publisher and author.

As an author he was known most commonly as A.W. Reed.
Reed wrote many books on topics such as myths, language, and place names of both Māori and Australian Aboriginal cultures.

With his uncle Alfred, he established the publishing firm A. H. & A. W. Reed.

Reviews

[Ajeje Brazov · Rating 3 out of 5]

La raccolta, che ho appena finito di leggere, è un insieme di leggende popolari orali (qui rielaborate e messe su carta), di tempi molto antichi, di tribù che vivevano nel territorio australiano.
Le storie qui proposte sono molto variegate, si va dall'origine del Sole della Luna ecc..., alle caratteristiche peculiari di animali, piante e molto altro, alle cerimonie tribali, fino alle caratteristiche dell'essere umano.
Sarà stata la brevità delle leggende ed una scrittura quasi per nulla coinvolgente, a rendermi la lettura singhiozzante ed a tratti noiosa ed irritante.
Le storie sono tantissime, alcune si ripetono, altre non mi son proprio piaciute, ma alcune sono state bellissime: un mix di empatia Uomo/Natura/Mitologia che mi faceva ben sperare, ma poi passavo alla storia successiva, che per la maggior parte dei casi era deludente.
Mezza delusione!

[Suze Geuke]

over hoe kikkers rivieren uitkotsen, legendarische tweelingbroers vol jaloezie uit elkaar gesjanst worden, over een riviergedrocht achternagezeten door jagers, over mensjagers die maar al te graag een hapje vlees verlangen.

mijn favoriet, verschillende verklaringen voor wat er gebeurt als we heengaan - nee niet in reptielen- en of bandicootwinterslaap - maar goed heen: is het een steen in een stukkie water, rimpels leven voort maar het dier zelf zakt weg een onzichtbare wereld in. of is het een houtje, meedrijvend met de stroming, zo nu en dan naar het oppervlak wiegend. ohooof! een rups die wacht op herborenheid klaar om rond de levenden te fladderen in een andere gedaante.

het is bijzonder hoe deze verhalen verklaren wat er in de natuur gebeurt, wat een bijzondere relatie met moeder aarde deze stammen beoefen(d)en.

[Mashael]

My Australian friend at work gave me this book because she is interested in the tradition and cultures of the different parts of the world. This book is all about the tales and legends of Australia's original inhabitants, Aboriginals. As I started reading the first stories in the book, I found out how rich the imagination of the aboriginal people was. This book is so unique and it takes me to a completely different world whenever I grab it to read one of the many tales within it.

[Lee-anne Organ · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were more cannibals than expected

[R.L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Κριτική στα Ελληνικά πιο κάτω...

I enjoyed this collection of stories, some a bit too short/simplistic than others but still cool to read. I guess a good option as an introduction on Aboriginal myths and legends, although they are a bit out of context - what tribe, set of beliefs, location etc they come from(?)

Many names and terms were new to me, but it's still easy to read each story. I think I enjoyed a lot the stories featuring the Moon god and the various snake types and the frogs lol.
All in all great fun!

Απόλαυσα αυτή τη συλλογή ιστοριών. Μερικές ήταν πολύ σύντομες/απλοϊκές σε σχέση με άλλες, αλλά παρόλα αυτά ήταν όλες ωραίες με τον τρόπο τους. Υποθέτω ότι είναι μια καλή επιλογή ως εισαγωγή στους μύθους και τους θρύλους των Αβορίγινων, αν και είναι λίγο εκτός πλαισίου - από ποια φυλή, σύνολο πεποιθήσεων, τοποθεσία κ.λπ. προέρχονται.

Πολλά ονόματα και όροι ήταν καινούργιοι για μένα, αλλά και πάλι έβγαζα εύκολα άκρη από τα συμφραζόμενα. Νομίζω ότι απόλαυσα πολύ τις ιστορίες με τον θεό της Σελήνης και τα διάφορα είδη φιδιών και τους βατράχους! Είχε πλάκα, αν κι εγώ είμαι περίεργος άνθρωπος και μου αρέσουν τα βιβλία του είδους γενικά!
Συνολικά, ήταν πολύ διασκεδαστικό και ελαφρύ!

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was gorgeous! My only wish is that the stories were arranged by the country they came from and not alphabetically.