Treasury of African-American Folklore: The Oral Literature, Traditions, Recollections...

With respect to the other reviewer it is very important that such a work exists especially for the cheap price that it is available making it a bargain. Everything is referenced so if you do find something of particular interest you can track it down. Courlander does not pretend that this is the complete African lore rather it is geared towards offering a source for a variety of styles and sources from the diversity of the African world. If you can afford it and have the time buy cultural specific studies that will specify the specific sub-groups and unique aspects of a certian group. However many of the smaller cultures will then be neglected by people that might know about one people and feel no desire to buy something about a lesser known group that may infact interest the reader. Please all those who have ideas of writing a better book do so but don't turn people away from having one of the most useful introductions to a broad range of the continents beliefs and creations for which I have bothered to read and utilised. There is something for every one: proverbs, tales, warrior epics, creation accounts and much more. It is far better than Abraham's books which adopt the same titles as both of Courlanders books yet are not half as deep nor well written. Love and Blessings to all. If you are a serious researcher write a book that facilitates what is missing or is needed to a field. I try to reason with so many complainers who do nothing, please don't just complain that the wall is broken get up and fix it!!

A Treasury of Afro-American Folklore: The Oral Literature, Traditions, Recollections, Legends, Tales, Songs, Religious Beliefs, Customs, Sayings and Humor of Peoples of African American Descent in the Americas by Harold Courlanderis is a much loved, often used book and cited text in my personal library--it is bound to be the same for anyone interesed in African American folklore. This book is encyclopedic in scope yet it is also very rich, diverse and deep. Contains the stories of Africans in all points of the Americas, even countries where African presence and contribution has been largely overlooked. This is an essential text for the student of African American history, folklore or arts. Highly recommended!

As much as I hate to use cliches, this thick, comprehensive guide to folklore, medicine, song and dance of the African diaspora is "worth it's weight in gold." Whether you are a writer, student, scholar or simply curious, this book holds the key to understanding the strains of Africa that have thrived and been woven into the fabric of culture within the Americas.