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Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Myths & mythology
With 600 signed, alphabetically organized articles covering the
entirety of folklore in South Asia, this new resource includes
countries and regions, ethnic groups, religious concepts and
practices, artistic genres, holidays and traditions, and many other
concepts. A preface introduces the material, while a comprehensive
index, cross-references, and black and white illustrations round
out the work. The focus on south Asia includes Afghanistan,
Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, with short survey
articles on Tibet, Bhutan, Sikkim, and various diaspora
communities. This unique reference will be invaluable for
collections serving students, scholars, and the general public.
Routledge Library Editions: Folklore is a collection of previously
out-of-print titles from a variety of academic imprints. It
provides in one place a wealth of important reference sources on a
wide variety of folklore topics. The international authors include
academics from a number of worldwide universities, and many are the
acknowledged experts in their respective fields. The books span a
wide date range, demonstrating both the development of the field
and, at the same time, providing valuable background to current
academic thinking. This set contains many essential texts,
available now for the first time in some years, and is an
invaluable resource on the study of folklore.
CAPTIVATING LOVE STORIES CELEBRATED AND RETOLD THE SUNDAY TIMES
BESTSELLER AND GLOBAL HIT As seen on BBC2 Between the Covers
'Perfection in short story form. So rarely is love expressed this
richly, this vividly, or this artfully.' CANDICE CARTY-WILLIAMS
'Beautifully written and full of joy. Bolu Babalola is a star.' MEG
CABOT 'Here is love as freedom, love as deep joy. Romance will
never be dead, as long as Bolu is writing it.' JESSIE BURTON
__________ Bolu Babalola takes the most beautiful love stories from
history and mythology and rewrites them with incredible new detail
and vivacity in her debut collection. Focusing on the magical
folktales of West Africa, Babalola also reimagines iconic Greek
myths, ancient legends from the Middle East, and stories from
countries that no longer exist in our world. A high-born Nigerian
goddess feels beaten down and unappreciated by her gregarious lover
and longs to be truly seen. A young businesswoman attempts to make
a great leap in her company, and an even greater one in her love
life. A powerful Ghanaian spokeswoman is forced to decide whether
to uphold her family's politics, or to be true to her heart.
Whether captured in the passion of love at first sight, or
realising that self-love takes precedent over the latter, the
characters in these vibrant stories try to navigate this most
complex human emotion and understand why it holds them hostage.
Moving exhilaratingly across perspectives, continents and genres,
from the historic to the vividly current, Love in Colour is a
celebration of romance in all of its forms. __________ PRAISE FOR
LOVE IN COLOUR: 'Captivating.' Vice 'Smart and joyful, witty and
heartbreaking.' Stylist 'Epic.' Bustle 'Vibrant.' Refinery29
'Brilliant and beautiful.' Net-a-Porter
In this collection of folk stories that float to us from afar, the
voices of long-dead 'Bushmen', or San people, of Southern Africa
speak to us about their lives and beliefs. We are given glimpses
into their thought-world. We listen to them recounting their
poignant myths and beliefs. We hear them speak of their tormented
lives as the early colonists expanded into the semi-arid interior.
All these stories have lain hidden since they were first collected
more than a hundred years ago by a remarkable family in Cape Town
who devoted their lives to recording the life-ways of the /Xam San
before their disappearance. Today there is a need for us to listen
to these voices from the past. They fill in one of the tragic
blanks in South Africa's history. Suddenly a people who have spoken
only through others' voices now speak out and come alive.
All the wonder, terror and delight of Greek mythology springs forth from the pages of this unique and much-needed anthology. Rhonda Hendricks has not only selected from the works of the ancient authors the best -- and often earliest -- versions of these tales; she has also arranged them so as to give a cumulative view of classical mythology beginning with The Creation and The Birth of Zeus. Of particular interest are: The Ages of Mankind, The Birth of Athena, Oedipus the King, Heracles, Theseus, Jason and Medea, The Judgement of Paris, The Trojan Horse, Pygmalion, and Cupid and Psyche. These texts offer a new perspective on classical mythology and, by so doing, cast a new light on this cornerstone of Western culture.
A remarkable number of Greek myths concern the plight of virgins -
slaughtered, sacrificed, hanged, transformed into birds, cows,
dear, bears, trees, and punished in Hades. Death and the Maiden,
first published in 1989, contextualises this mythology in terms of
geography, history and culture, and offers a comprehensive theory
firmly grounded in an ubiquitous ritual: pubescent girls' rites of
passage. By means of comparative anthropology, it is argued that
many local ceremonies are echoed throughout the whole range of
myths, both famous and obscure. Further, Professor Dowden examines
boys' rites, as well as the renewal of entire communities at
regular intervals. The first full-length work in English devoted to
passage-rites in Greek myth, Death and the Maiden is an important
contribution to the exciting developments in the study of the
interrelation between myth and ritual: from it an innovative view
on the origination of many Greek myths emerges.
The old kingdom of Gwynedd - the mountains of Eryri (Snowdonia),
Ynys (Anglesey) and the Llyn Peninsula - may be the most mythic
landscape in Britain. The ancient Druids and from it sprang the
tales of Blessed Bran who protected the land, wizards who made a
Woman of Flowers, and Merlin the dragon whisperer whose prophecy
echoes still. The poet Taliesin walked these hills, Welsh bards
told stories of Arthur by these hearths and saints made pilgrimages
along these paths. From these hidden nooks the Tylwyth Teg (Fair
Folk) emerged to tease the people, and through these mountain
passes rode Llywelyn the Great and Owain Glyndw r, living lives
that would be spun into legend. Storyteller and singer Eric Maddern
has gathered these old tales here and breathed fresh life into
them.
The triumphant conclusion to both the Fall of Shannara series and
the entire Shannara saga - a truly epic final adventure from the
master of modern fantasy. As the Four Lands reels under the Skaar
invasion, its defenders must decide what they will risk to save
their home. As one group remains to protect the Four Lands, another
undertakes a perilous journey across the sea to the Skaar homeland,
carrying with them a new piece of technology that could change the
face of the world forever. And yet a third is trapped in a deadly
realm from which there may be no escape. Packed with all of the
hallmarks of Terry Brooks's magnificent storytelling, The Last
Druid is a fitting end to a saga that has enthralled millions of
readers around the world. Praise for Terry Brooks: 'I can't even
begin to count how many of Terry Brooks's books I've read (and
re-read) over the years' Patrick Rothfuss 'Terry's place is at the
head of the fantasy world' Philip Pullman 'I would not be writing
epic fantasy today if not for Shannara' Peter V. Brett 'A master of
the craft . . . required reading' Brent Weeks
This book, a selection of folk tales, true tales, tall tales,
myths, gossip, legends and memories, celebrates and honours unique
Welsh stories. Some are well known, others from forgotten
manuscripts or out-of-print volumes, and some are contemporary oral
tales. They reflect the diverse tradition of storytelling, and the
many meanings of 'chwedlau'. If someone says, 'Chwedl Cymraeg?'
they are asking, 'Do you speak Welsh?' and 'Do you tell a tale in
Welsh?' Here is the root of storytelling, or 'chwedleua', in Wales.
It is part of conversation. This book, one to linger over and to
treasure, keeps these ancient tales alive by retelling them for a
new audience.
West Virginia University Press is pleased to bring back into print
Witches, Ghosts, and Signs, the 1975 classic by the late Patrick W.
Gainer, renowned West Virginia folklorist and West Virginia
University English professor from 1946 through 1972. Based on
material Gainer collected from over fifty years of field research
in West Virginia and the region, Witches, Ghosts, and Signs
presents the rich heritage of the southern Appalachians in a way
that has never been equaled. Passed down from generation to
generation from as far back as the earliest settlers in the region
come tales of the strange and supernatural--ghosts, witches,
hauntings, disappearances, and unexplained murders--stories that
raise goose bumps and send chills down spines. Included in the
collection are such Appalachian classics as The Black Cat Murders,
The Witchery of Mary Leadum, The Bewitched Pigs, The Headless Rider
of Spruce Lick, and The Poltergeist of Petersburg. According to
Gainer, he himself heard ghostly music coming from an abandoned
house at midnight, an incident which is described in Jim Barton's
Fiddle. In addition to the many accounts of strange happenings,
Gainer presents fascinating material about Appalachian
superstitions, planting by moon signs, weather forecasting, and
mountaineer doctoring. From his own experience and from the
reminiscences of old-timers, the author offers historical
background on mountaineers. His key to the pronunciation and
vocabulary of indigenous populations makes audible the unique
speech patterns of mountain people and provides a linguistic key to
today's regional dialects. Gainer also relates social events of
years gone by, such as molasses boiling, serenades fornewlyweds,
and the busybody's favorite: telephone party lines. This carefully
collected and preserved collection of folklore is a delight for
readers of all ages and a wonderful teaching text for secondary and
higher education classes in West Virginia and Appalachian folklore,
and in the study of oral traditions. This new edition of Witches,
Ghosts, and Signs includes an introduction and a folk motif index,
by Dt. Judy Byers, founder and director of the West Virginia
Folklife Center at Fairmont State University and a former student
of Dr. Gainer.
An epic unicorn fairy tale filled with adventure, magic and a fight
like no other... In a faraway kingdom, two girls live separate
lives. Growing up in the wilderness of the west, Alette is the
daughter of a sorcerer. In the warmth of the east, Audrey is the
daughter of a baker. The girls could not be more different... and
yet something draws them together. Are they connected by the
unanswered questions of their pasts? Or by the identical pendants
they both wear around their necks? Whatever it is, the girls are on
a collision course that cannot be avoided, as a past they never
knew they had leaves them hurtling towards a future they could
never have dreamed of. Danger, mystery and enchanted unicorns await
them. Their story began once upon a time. But how will it end?
Enchanting dark fairy tales with magical unicorns, fearsome
villains and inspiring heroines Perfect for fans of SKANDAR AND THE
UNICORN THIEF Great for people who love fairy tales, Disney and
unicorns DARK UNICORNS - COLLECT THEM ALL! The Midnight Unicorn
Paperback eBook The Darkest Unicorn Paperback eBook The Cursed
Unicorn Paperback eBook The Blazing Unicorn Paperback eBook Coming
Soon: The Frozen Unicorn Paperback eBook
The Essex coastline has endured invasion by plundering and
bloodthirsty Romans, Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, and this mysterious
landscape is still haunted by their presence. Their spirits, and
countless others, have oft been reported - not least by smugglers
determined to keep intruders away from their secret hideouts. Even
more dramatic stories of the supernatural lurk inland: accusations
of witchcraft have been screamed around many picturesque market
towns, dragons have terrorised the community, and a violent White
Lady has struck at Hadleigh Castle. Indeed, it is the women of
Essex who have stirred the imagination most - from brave Boudicca
and beautiful Edith Swan-neck to the adulteress Kitty Canham. Amid
the county's infamous pirates, highwaymen and desperados, Essex can
even boast a lady smuggler.
UPDATED, WITH NEW MATERIAL BY THE AUTHOR"WOMEN WHO RUN WITH THE WOLVES isn't just another book. It is a gift of profound insight, wisdom, and love. An oracle from one who knows."--Alice WalkerWithin every woman there lives a powerful force, filled with good instincts, passionate creativity, and ageless knowing. She is the Wild Woman, who represents the instinctual nature of women. But she is an endangered species. In WOMEN WHO RUN WITH THE WOLVES, Dr. Estés unfolds rich intercultural myths, fairy tales, and stories, many from her own family, in order to help women reconnect with the fierce, healthy, visionary attributes of this instinctual nature. Through the stories and commentaries in this remarkable book, we retrieve, examine, love, and understand the Wild Woman and hold her against our deep psyches as one who is both magic and medicine. Dr. Estés has created a new lexicon for describing the female psyche. Fertile and life-giving, it is a psychology of women in the truest sense, a knowing of the soul."This volume reminds us that we are nature for all our sophistication, that we are still wild, and the recovery of that vitality will itself set us right in the world."--Thomas Moore Author of Care of the Soul"I am grateful to WOMEN WHO RUN WITH THE WOLVES and to Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés. The work shows the reader how glorious it is to be daring, to be caring, and to be women. Everyone who can read should read this book."--Maya Angelou"An inspiring book, the 'vitamins for the soul' [for] women who are cut off from their intuitive nature."--San Francisco Chronicle"Stands out from the pack . . . A joy and sparkle in [the] prose . . . This book will become a bible for women interested in doing deep work. . . . It is a road map of all the pitfalls, those familiar and those horrifically unexpected, that a woman encounters on the way back to her instinctual self. Wolves . . . is a gift."--Los Angeles Times"A mesmerizing voice . . . Dramatic storytelling she learned at the knees of her [immigrant] aunts."--Newsweek
The Way to Rainy Mountain recalls the journey of Tai-me, the sacred
Sun Dance doll, and of Tai-me's people in three unique voices: the
legendary, the historical, and the contemporary. It is also the
personal journey of N. Scott Momaday, who on a pilgrimage to the
grave of his Kiowa grandmother traversed the same route taken by
his forebears and in so doing confronted his Kiowa heritage. It is
an evocation of three things in particular: a landscape that is
incomparable, a time that is gone forever, and the human spirit,
which endures. Celebrating fifty years since its 1969 release, this
new edition offers a moving new preface and invites a new
generation of readers to explore the Kiowa myths, legends, and
history with Pulitzer Prize-winning author N. Scott Momaday.
"Spots of a leopard - on being a man" is a quest to discover the
meaning of life in this day and age. When internationally acclaimed
journalist Aernout Zevenbergen moved to Kenya in 1997, he had no
idea how deeply his encounters with joy and sorrow in Africa would
effect him. Writing about the most inspiring as well as the most
disconcerting facets of life, Zevenbergen goes onto a subtle
journey of self-discovery. What is love? If it takes a village to
raise a child, does it also take a village to bury one? How does
romance play a role in our lives? When is a man considered to be a
good father? Can friendship conquer loneliness? What gives strength
and inspiration when the going gets tough? Zevenbergen discusses
these questions with a wide variety of men; from truckers to
bikers, from paupers to presidents, from warriors to widowers. 'We
are leopards wiping away their spots.' The author asks questions
few have dared to ask men. Faced with their honesty, the author
finds the courage to finally grow up as well. === Matthew Fox
(author of 'The Hidden Spirituality of Men'): 'Your story telling
is very powerful and moving and altogether creates a tapestry that
gets one thinking strong thoughts and asking important questions.'
The Weekender: 'Zevenbergen has a true talent for getting people to
open up and speak their hearts' Cape Argus: 'Wordsmith: Aernout
Zevenbergen has written beautifully crafted essays' Jury report
Dick Scherpenzeel Foundation: 'He portrays in an extremely skillful
way the face of traditions-in-flux.' Olivia Umurerwa Rutazibwa -
politics.be: 'By voicing his own doubts and questions and by openly
reflecting upon his own life, the journalistic stories get a
beautiful human face.' Biblion: 'An extremely well written work on
a topic for which there has been little attention.'
"Allow me to introduce myself." But he needed no introduction.
"Anansi the spider!" said Anansi the boy. "The tales were true!"
"Traditional tales are always true," the spider answered, laughing.
"Nothing lasts so long as truth, nor travels quite so far." Now in
paperback! Award-winning author of Ghana Must Go, Taiye Selasi,
reimagines the story of Anansi, the much-loved trickster, for a new
generation. Kweku has grown up hearing stories about the
mischievous spider Anansi. He is given the nickname Anansi by his
father because of his similarly cheeky ways. On a holiday to visit
his beloved Grandma in Ghana, Anansi the spider and Anansi the boy
meet, and discover a magical pot that can be filled with whatever
they want. Anansi fills it again and again with his favourite
red-red stew, and eats so much that he feels sick. Will he learn to
share this wonderful gift? This charming retelling of a West
African story teaches readers about the dangers of greed, and the
importance of being kind. Tinuke Fagborun's colourful illustrations
bring the magic and wonder of the tale to life. When you've
finished sharing the story, you can also find out more about the
origins of Anansi folktales. This beautiful storybook is one that
children will treasure forever.
Ancient deities have shaped the mythological landscapes of Britain
and Ireland. Layer by layer, these tales of the ancient gods and
goddesses make up the narrative bedrock of these islands.
Throughout the ages this has been the meeting place of successive
cultures, each bringing their own stories to glorify those beings
with supernatural powers. Despite their immortality, these
divinities and superhumans are nevertheless vulnerable, depending
on the voices and memories of people to celebrate their wondrous
exploits. Here you will meet the all-powerful beings once revered
throughout these lands. Elemental divinities of sky and earth,
goddesses and gods in human guise, have escaped the confines of
dusty encyclopaedias. Now you will come to know them by the stories
of their deeds, famous and infamous in equal part.
Why are dragons recognised in almost all cultures on Earth? What is
the mysterious geomantic gold they secretly guard? Could dragons be
a folk memory of something which once hunted us? In this beautiful
little book Joyce Hargreaves tells the story of these extraordinary
animals through examples drawn from all over the world. Richly
illustrated, and with detailed appendices of notable dragon sites
around the United Kingdom, this is an essential dragonologists
guide. WOODEN BOOKS are small but packed with information.
"Fascinating" FINANCIAL TIMES. "Beautiful" LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS.
"Rich and Artful" THE LANCET. "Genuinely mind-expanding" FORTEAN
TIMES. "Excellent" NEW SCIENTIST. "Stunning" NEW YORK TIMES. Small
books, big ideas.
The Greek myths, refined by the great poets and playwrights of
Ancient Greece, distil the essence of human life: its brief span,
its pride, courage and insecurity, its anxious relationship with
the natural world - earth, sea and sky, represented by powerful
gods and monsters. Taking inspiration from the incomparably
beautiful and intense poetry of Homer, Aeschylus, Sophocles and
Euripides, Spurling - a lifelong classicist and an award-winning
playwright and historical novelist - spins five more myths for
contemporary readers. These captivating tales centre on male-female
pairs - Prometheus and Pandora, Jason and the sorceress Medea,
Oedipus and his daughter Antigone, Achilles and his mother Thetis,
Odysseus and Penelope - that destroyed dynasties, raised and felled
heroes, and sealed the fates of men.
J.D. Lewis-Williams, a leading South African archaeologist and
ethnographer, examines the complex myths of the San-Bushmen to
create a larger theory of how myth is used in cultures worldwide.
Exploring ethnographic, archival and archaeological lines of
research, he extracts the `nuggets', the far-reaching but often
unspoken words and concepts of language and understanding that are
opaque to outsiders, to establish a more nuanced theory of the role
of these myths in the thought-world and social circumstances of the
San. The book draws from the author's own work, the unique
19th-century Bleek & Lloyd archive, more recent ethnographic
work, and San rock art and includes well-known San stories such as
The broken string, Mantis dreams, and Creation of the eland.
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