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:
Who was Artemis and what part did she play in the battle of the Giants? Who was the whale-monster Qaqwaii and how did he hunt his prey? This dictionary of mythology is a wonderful and invaluable reference guide to the various myths and legends from across the globe. Dip into this A-Z guide to discover the names of devious gods, enchanted objects and ancient cities, as well as the cultures that these tales originate from. These myths are taken not only from the familiar Greek, Roman and Norse traditions but also Mesopotamian, Haitian, Tibetan, Native American and many more. Painstakingly researched over 25 years, this incredible resource provides more than just scholarly information but also showcases the staggering creativity and imagination of our ancient belief systems. This beautiful hardback edition is presented in a handsome slipcase, making a perfect collectable or gift for any mythology enthusiasts.
A beautifully illustrated, wonderfully engaging A-to-Z guide to more than 700 major and minor gods and goddesses, characters, creatures, and places of classical Greek and Roman mythology. Classical Mythology A-to-Z is a comprehensive and engrossing guide to Greek and Roman mythology. Written by Annette Giesecke, PhD, Professor of Classics and Chair of Ancient Greek and Roman Studies at the University of Delaware, this brilliant reference offers clear explanations of every character and locale, and captures the essence of these timeless tales. From the gods and goddesses of Mount Olympus and the heroes of the Trojan War to the nymphs, monsters, and other mythical creatures that populate these ancient stories, Giesecke recounts, with clarity and energy, the details of more than 700 characters and places. Each definition includes cross-references to related characters, locations, and myths, as well their equivalent in Roman mythology and cult. In addition to being an important standalone work, Classical Mythology A-to-Z is also written, designed, and illustrated to serve as an essential companion to the bestselling illustrated 75th-anniversary edition of Mythology by Edith Hamilton, including 10 full-color plates and 2-color illustrations throughout by artist Jim Tierney.
This collection of fascinating and revealing tales captures the sprawling diversity of African mythology. Four hundred alphabetically arranged entries touch on virtually every aspect of African religious belief, from Africa's great epic themes (dualistic gods, divine tricksters, creator gods, and heroes) to descriptions of major mythic systems (the Dogon, the Asante, and the San) and beyond. Scheub covers the entire continent, from the mouth of the Nile to the shores of the Cape of Good Hope, including North African as well as sub-Saharan cultures. His retellings provide information about the respective belief system, the main characters, and related stories or variants. Perhaps most important, Scheub emphasizes the role of mythmaker as storyteller--as a performer for an audience. He studies various techniques, from the rhythmic movements of a Zulu mythmaker's hands to the way a storyteller will play on the familiar context of other myths within her cultural context. An invaluable bridge to the richly diverse oral cultures of Africa, this collection uncovers a place where story and storyteller, tradition and performance, all merge.
This book is dedicated to exploring the gods and goddesses that the people on the African continent worshiped, and within the pages you will find more information about: - Background facts about African culture, such as art, foods and traditions. - The most amazing and controversial African myths. - The top 10 infamous mythical legends and folklore from the African continent. - An extensive list of African gods and goddesses. - The great story of Hlakanyana the Cunning. - The dramatic legend of Anansi, the spider, the trickster and spirit of knowledge in African mythology. - Beautiful baby names derived from African mythology. - Crazy myths about African vampires African mythology is intricate, complex, and the ideals behind some of their mythological beliefs were often intertwined with real life events. This book will examine how both myth and fact contributed to the culture and traditions of the African people, and how these influences and some stories continue to live on throughout the centuries. Add this book to cart now.
This is an A-Z dictionary of mythologies of the Asian continent. Major characters, places and events of Asian mythology, as well as certain relevant themes and cultural traditions are included.