Synopsis
Hundreds of fascinating, mysterious, and revealing tales capture the immense sweep and diversity of African mythology. Halftones, illustrations, & maps.
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Review
There's no Zeus with his thunderbolt or Thor with his hammer; but in Har old Scheub's Dictionary of African Mythology, there is Kibuka, who shoots arrows from clouds, and Tanit, mother of the universe, with her spear. From over 10 years of living in Africa, Harold Scheub has combed oral and recorded traditions and delivers a treasury of African mythology. Scheub focuses on the art of the storyteller, presenting stories that animate the people who tell them. You'll find the full range of archetypal figures here and see how mythic scenarios can vary from region to region. There are the rain-stones from God, the crocodile women and Wuni, the god who destined men to always have to chase women. Scheub ties the stories together by locating common themes and provides an immense bibliography, along with cross-referencing by culture and country. Africa is not often on Europeans' mythology radar but Scheub demonstrates that the continent's traditions are every bit as colourful as the myths of other world cultures. --Brian Bruya
About the Author
Harold Scheub is Professor of African Languages and Literature at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has spent ten years researching and teaching in Africa, and is the author of a number of books, including The Tongue is Fire, Secret Fire, and Story. He lives in Madison, Wisconsin.
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