Why read Tales of Yoruba Gods & Heroes?

Book cover of Tales of Yoruba Gods & Heroes

Book description

A fascinating collection of the oral literature of an ancient people. This book is an important and delightful contribution to mythology, folklore, history, African culture and black studies. Included in the appendix are some Yoruba songs and tales known among African-Americans communites in the West Indies and Brazil.

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Why read it?

1 author picked Tales of Yoruba Gods & Heroes as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Gail Nyoka

Author

This is a classic by the late folklorist, Harold Courlander. If you want to get a basic understanding of the stories that make up the Orishas of Yoruba mythological tradition, this is the go-to book. Here is the story of how the Orishas come to earth, and the powers and power struggles of the Yoruba pantheon. Appendices give a quick overview of Orishas in Cuba and the Americas.

From Gail's list on The best books of folktales from Africa.