Robert Hamill Nassau

Where Animals Talk: West African Folk Lore Tales (eBook, ePUB)

• Format: ePub

Produktbeschreibung

In 'Where Animals Talk: West African Folk Lore Tales,' Robert Hamill Nassau presents an illuminating tapestry of tales woven with the threads of West African culture, beliefs, and humor. Nassau's compilation showcases a fascinating fauna-centered mythology, replete with speaking animals that serve as allegorical figures, illuminating human virtues and vices. The tales are rooted in oral traditions, echoing the cadences and rhetorical styles native to storytelling in West African societies. This volume, in its vivid narrative and scholarly finesse, holds a mirror to the intersection of anthropomorphism and moral didacticism universally found in folk literature, but with a distinctive West African inflection, considering its historical compilation during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Robert Hamill Nassau, an American Presbyterian missionary, spent several decades immersed in the cultures of West Africa, particularly among the Ngombe and Baluba peoples. His profound empathy and scholarly curiosity for the indigenous knowledge and customs of these societies are distilled in this work. Nassau's experience as a medical doctor and educator in this vibrant geopolitical context undoubtedly influenced his perspective, leading him to preserve these narratives, recognizing their intrinsic value in the broader spectrum of world folklore and ethnology. 'Where Animals Talk: West African Folk Lore Tales' beckons to readers who seek a richer understanding of the global tapestry of folklore, as well as those enamored with African cultures and storytelling. Nassau's work is not merely a collection of tales; it is a bridge connecting the past with the present, and a compelling invitation to explore the social fabric and collective psyche of West Africa. Enthusiasts of anthropology, literature, and history will find this book to be an indispensable addition to their library, and a delightful journey through the world of African narrative art.

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Produktdetails

• Verlag: DigiCat
• Seitenzahl: 205
• Erscheinungstermin: 4. September 2022
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 8596547241218
• Artikelnr.: 65700456

Autorenporträt

Robert Hamill Nassau (1835-1921) was an American missionary and ethnographer, whose experiences living among the peoples of West Africa during the late 19th and early 20th centuries informed his literary work. A man immersed in the exploration of cultural anthropology, Nassau spent considerable time in Gabon and the Congo region, which served as the backdrop for much of his writings. His literary style combines anthropological observation with a narrative flair, and his works offer a window into the traditional stories and customs of the West African people he lived among. 'Where Animals Talk: West African Folk Lore Tales' is among Nassau's most notable works, which encapsulates the rich storytelling tradition of West Africa, blending folklore with cultural insights. In this collection, Nassau gives voice to a variety of talking animals, a common motif in West African tales, thus preserving stories that carry deep social and moral relevance. This compilation is not only significant literature but acts as a valuable repository for the folklore and oral traditions that may otherwise have been lost. Nassau's approach respectfully bridges a gap between the academic and the lay reader, providing an accessible yet scholarly look into the heart of West African culture.