Roots and legends : folktales from African culture / with contributions by Kristin G. Congdon.
| Other author | Congdon, Kristin G., contributor. |
| Format | Book |
| Publication | New York, NY : Wellfleet Press, 2025. |
| Description | 197 pages : illustrations (some color) ; 22 cm |
| Subjects |
| Portion of title | Folktales from African culture |
| Variant title | Folk tales from African culture |
| Contents | Why things are the way they are: Anansi and nothing ; Why spiders are always found in the corners of ceilings ; How wisdom became the property of the human race ; Why the lizard continually moves his head up and down ; Why we see ants carrying bundles as big as themselves ; Thunder and Anansi ; Ohia and the thieving deer ; Why men and women don't have tails like cows ; How the gopher turtle was made ; How the tortoise got its shell ; How mushrooms first grew ; Why the sun and the moon live in the sky ; Why the moon waxes and wanes ; Why the moon and the stars receive their light from the sun -- Morals taught through animal tales: The squirrel and the spider ; The leopard and the ram ; To lose an elephant for the sake of a wren is a very foolish thing to do ; Why the leopard can only catch prey on its left side ; The lion and the wolf ; Rabbit rides Wolf ; King Chameleon and th animals ; The creeturs go to the barbecue ; Brer Rabbit's frolic ; Brer Rabbit finds the moon in the mill pond ; Brother Bear's big house ; How Mr. Lion lost his wool ; Brer Rabbit's flying trip ; Brer Rabbit and the gold mine ; How Brer Rabbit got a house ; Brer Rabbit and the partridge nest ; Brer Rabbit gets Brer Fox a hoss ; Brer Rabbit treats the creeturs to a race ; The tar baby -- Bearing witness: Big John gives old master a sign ; Morning sunrise ; The swimming contest ; The fight ; Big feet contest ; The yearling ; Dividing souls ; The talking eggs : a story from Louisiana ; Big sixteen ; Diddy-wah-diddy -- People with unusual powers: Uncle Monday ; Railroad Bill ; A ghost story about an aunt ; The tail of the princess elephant ; How a hoodoo doctor works ; g͠n and aerosol art ; The ballad of John Henry ; Farmer Mybrow and the fairies ; The mermaid ; Braziel Robinson and the root-doctors ; The flying man. |
| Abstract | "Filled with heroes, tricksters, clever plots, and touching undertones, 'Roots and legends' is a captivating collection that honors the depth and beauty of African folklore, carrying a timeless wisdom from the ancestral past into modern times. Thoughtfully curated and richly illustrated, 'Roots and legends' presents four major genres of cultural tales: 'Why things are the way they are' offers creative perspectives on the workings of the curious world around us; 'Morals taught through animal tales' introduces a tapestry of characters whose trials and tribulations teach lessons on human morality; 'Bearing witness' showcases clever ways of navigating injustice and subverting oppression in a philosophically complex world; 'People with unusual powers' celebrates empowering, otherworldly characters who use supernatural abilities to overcome adversity. Through the magic of African oral tradition--a vibrant practice that endured through the dark periods of slavery and oppression--discover over 50 classic folktales that deliver powerful teachings, insights, and life lessons that will resonate for years to come"--Page 4 of cover. |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (pages 189-193) and index. |
| Genre/form | folk tales. |
| Genre/form | Folk tales. |
| Genre/form | Contes. |
| LCCN | 2024945276 |
| ISBN | 9781577155164 (hardcover) |
| ISBN | 1577155165 (hardcover) |
Availability
| Library | Location | Call Number | Status | Item Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joyner | Ronnie Barnes African American Collection | GR350 .R66 2025 | ✔ Available | Place Hold |