The African continent is home to a fascinating and strong tradition of myth, due in part to the long history of human habitation in Africa; the diversity of its geography, flora, and fauna; and the variety of its cultural beliefs. African Mythology A to Z is a readable reference to the deities, places, events, animals, beliefs, and other subjects that appear in the myths of various African peoples. For the first time, this edition features full-color photographs and illustrations.Coverage includes:
This volume looks at some of the popular myths of Africa and discusses their role in the culture and the values they reflect. The book also touches on how hip-hop music has its roots in African mythology. Readers will learn about creation myths, and the role of spirits and magic in African mythology and lore.
The extensive history of Africa provides us with a topic of curiosity and novelty. For this reason, this guide has been composed to help you understand some of the cultural anecdotes as well as the religious and traditional tales that have been told to previous generations. When we dive into some background information, you will have a better grasp of the context of the four intense stories that follow. Enjoy this short, simple yet profound compilation of African myths.
African mythology is a vast and complex field that encompasses the myths, legends, and spiritual beliefs of numerous cultures across the continent. Unlike mythologies from other parts of the world that often center around a single pantheon or narrative, African mythology is a tapestry of stories that vary widely among regions, tribes, and languages. These myths serve not only as captivating tales but also as the foundation for many African cultural values, ethics, and social norms. Through mythology, African societies have historically explained the mysteries of the universe, human existence, and the relationship between the physical and spiritual realms. The myths often act as a bridge that connects the people to their ancestors, guiding them through life’s challenges, reinforcing traditions, and celebrating the wonders of nature and the supernatural. Myths hold a central place in African culture, weaving through every aspect of life, from religious practices and ceremonies to moral lessons and social structures. They serve as more than just entertainment; they are the backbone of cultural identity, teaching values, history, and spiritual wisdom. In many African communities, myths are used to instill societal values such as respect, bravery, honesty, and the importance of community over individualism. These stories also shape the rituals and ceremonies that mark significant life events, including birth, initiation into adulthood, marriage, and death. Myths give people a sense of belonging and identity, linking them to their ancestors, land, and the unseen forces that govern their world. Through these narratives, individuals are reminded of their place in a larger cosmic order, where human actions and natural elements are interconnected.
The great myths of the world create meaning out of the fundamental events of human existence: birth, death, conflict, loss, reconciliation, the cycle of the seasons. They speak to us of life itself in voices still intelligible, yet compellingly strange and distant. World Mythology offers readers an authoritative and wide-ranging guide to these enduring mythological traditions, combining the pure narrative of the myths themselves with the background necessary for more complete understanding. Here, noted mythology expert Roy Willis, brings together a team of nineteen leading scholars navigate a clear path through the complexities of myth as they distill the essence of each regional tradition and focus on the most significant figures and the most enthralling stories. All aspects of the world's key mythologies are covered, from tales of warring deities and demons to stories of revenge and metamorphosis; from accounts of lustful gods and star-crossed human lovers to journeys in the underworld. All are told at length and are accompanied by illuminating and readable introductory text. Also included are summaries of important theories about the origins and meaning of myth, and an examination of themes that recur across a range of civilizations. Beautifully illustrated with more than 500 color photographs, works of art, charts, and maps, World Mythology offers readers the most accessible guide yet to the heritage of the world's imagination.
How do ancient myths relate to contemporary life? The answer lies within this resource, where Greek, Norse, Arthurian, Egyptian, Chinese, African, and Native American myths are narrated and then re-examined through questions, poems, puzzles, family trees, and more. 41 high-interest lessons, each with a reading passage followed by activities Teacher notes include a vocabulary and pronunciation guide, answer key, and suggested extension activities.
Winner of the 2021 CLA Book Award presented by the College Language Association Black Cultural Mythology retrieves the concept of "mythology" from its Black Arts Movement origins and broadens its scope to illuminate the relationship between legacies of heroic survival, cultural memory, and creative production in the African diaspora. Christel N. Temple comprehensively surveys more than two hundred years of figures, moments, ideas, and canonical works by such visionaries as Maria Stewart, Richard Wright, Colson Whitehead, and Edwidge Danticat to map an expansive yet broadly overlooked intellectual tradition of Black cultural mythology and to provide a new conceptual framework for analyzing this tradition. In so doing, she at once reorients and stabilizes the emergent field of Africana cultural memory studies, while also staging a much broader intervention by challenging scholars across disciplines—from literary and cultural studies, history, sociology, and beyond—to embrace a more organic vocabulary to articulate the vitality of the inheritance of survival.
