Jan Knappert

Myths and Legends of Indonesia

An Encyclopedia of Myth and Legend

African Mythology

The first anthology in English of South-East Asian myths, this book is an engaging look at these rich storytelling traditions. It includes new translations of some shorter tales and concise paraphrases of longer epics. There are separate sections devoted to poetry, drama, proverbs, and prose from various regions and cultures. A wide range of readers will find themselves absorbed in the romance, tragedy, drama, and adventure of South-East Asian kings, princes, princesses, heroes and heroines, and ordinary people.

Mythology and Folklore in South-East Asia

Andrew Rippin

"[This collection] is distinguished by its wide range and the care which has clearly gone into the selection of texts for inclusion. . . . Attention has understandably been focused on what might be called the religious aspects of Islam, such as scripture, theology, sects, law, ritual and mysticism, but within those limits the texts chosen are marked by substantially of content, by geographical, chronological and social diversity, and by an intelligent use of less well known authors. . . . An excellent starting point for a systematic and analytical examination of Islam."—G. R. Hawting, Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies

Textual Sources for the Study of Islam

This work contains a very condensed grammar of literary Swahili, the traditional literary language. It serves as a vehicle for the Islamic literature, both prose and poetry, including the town chronicles, as well as the long didactic poems on moral duties.

Grammar of Literary Swahili

A Manual

The Religion of Israel

Africa : the most distinctive land mass on the surface of the earth. Yet for all its majesty it is a country whose historical and religious wealth remains a mystery to all but a very few of Western observers. How many people know anything at all about pre-Colonial Africa? The Aquarian Guide to African Mythology is the first comprehensive overview of the beliefs, myths and cosmology of African peoples. It deals not only with traditional stories woven around a pantheon of gods and mythical figures but also with legends, fables and more general subjects that played a part in African mythology and African life. The wide range of entries include religious concepts, prophets, the best-known tribes, mystical phenomena, spirits and demons, and the many animals that played such a large part in African mythology. Dr Jan Knappert's alphabetical guide is founded on his many years of personal experience in Africa. Its very accessible style makes it ideal not only as a reference work for students of anthropology but as a sample for general readers wishing to dip in and be informed on any subject that appeals to them. The book is illustrated with examples of African art.

Jan Knappert

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