Famine strikes the animals of Africa and as fast as they learn the magic, food-providing word they forget it, until the tortoise has his turn

Product Description: ... de Heusch has achieved a significant advance over Lévi-Strauss’s formulations.... [A] landmark contribution to anthropological theory, historical methodology, structural analysis, and African studies." ―ChoiceA major work that modifies and extends Lévi-Straussian myth analysis in profound and exciting ways...read more

When the other animals fail at the task, the slow but wise turtle finds a way to obtain the bountiful fruits of a magic tree

A retelling of a Bantu folktale provides a humorous look at humankind as it follows the antics of Sebgugugu, whose gluttony leads him into all sorts of difficulties.

Presents retellings of seventeen African folktales, most of which are Bantu tales of southern and central Africa set against a background of Zulu family life and customs.

A collection of folktales from a Zulu tribal historian attempting to preserve the history, heritage, and oral tradition of his people includes an insightful essay offering commentary on the aparthied years of his native province of Natal in South Africa. Original.