African Myths & Legends

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 show more 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. show less