African Myths of Origin

A rich, unique anthology of retold fables from Africa Gathering a wide range of traditional African myths, this compelling new collection offers tales of heroes battling mighty serpents and monstrous birds, brutal family conflict and vengeance, and desperate migrations across vast and alien lands. From accounts of the inventive wiles of animal- creators and a community forced to flee a giant crocodile to the heroic story of the cripple Sunjata who rose to found an empire, all the narratives here concern origins. They offer a kaleidoscopic picture representative of the rich cultures and societies of the African continent: the ways of life, the peoples—from small hunting bands to great empires—and the states that have taken shape over many generations and environments.

Stephen Belcher was born in Cairo, Egypt and spent much of his childhood in Africa and Europe. He holds a doctorate from Brown University, has taught at Pennsylvania State University, and currently teaches at the University of Kankan in the Republic of Guinea.