Description
In Stars and Keys: Folktales and Creolization in the Southwest Indian Ocean, Lee Haring introduces readers to the rich folklore traditions of the islands of the southwest Indian Ocean. The culture of Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Réunion, and the Comoros is a unique blend of traditions that have been brought from Africa, South Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. The folktales from these islands reflect the diversity of this culture and provide a rare opportunity to observe the fluidity of traditions and the process of creolization. Haring presents the tales in a uniquely innovative style: he interrupts the text as if he were reading aloud and directly addresses the reader. His words and those of the storytellers are clearly distinguished, making this folktale collection useful to a wide range of readers and scholars. |
Author Bio
Lee Haring is Professor Emeritus of English at Brooklyn College of The City University of New York. He is author of Verbal Arts in Madagascar: Performance in Historical Perspective; Ibonia: Epic of Madagascar; and several other books. |
Reviews
“Haring introduces readers to the rich folklore traditions of the islands of the southwest Indian Ocean. His words and those of the storytellers are clearly distinguished, making this folktale collection useful to a wide range of readers and scholars.”
“Stars and Keys is a valuable addition to research on the five islands concerned, to folklore studies, and to theories of culture. It will be of interest to folklorists, historians, anthropologists, and sociologists. ”
— Journal of American Folklore
“Haring's ability to weave scholarship into his own and his storytellers' narratives makes this book outstanding in the realm of folktale research. Fall 2009, Vol. 68.4”
— Western Folklore
“. . . represents a precious and irreplaceable record of the indigenous folk cultures of these islands . . . and as such it provides a valuable companion to literary, cultural, or political studies of the islands.Vol. 40.3 August 2009”
— Peter Hawkins, University of Bristol
“Offering a rich collection of folktales—and their interpretations—from Madagascar, Mauritius, the Seychelles, Réunion, and the Comoros, Haring (emer., English, Brooklyn College, CUNY) presents the reader with a tapestry that displays both the culture of these islands of the southwest Indian Ocean and a history of oppression and resistance. . . . Recommended.”
— Choice
|
Customer Reviews
CommentsThere are currently no reviewsWrite a review on this title.
Table of Contents
Preface Acknowledgments Chronology of the Southwest Indian Ocean 1. Land of the Man-Eating Tree 1. Origin of the Earth, Living and Inanimate Beings, according to the Tales of the Ancestors 2. The Man-Eating Tree 3. Origin of Social Classes 4. Origin of Human Beings; Expulsion from Paradise 5. The Seven Deadly Sins 6. Rasoanor 7. Origin of Mountains, Valleys, and Stones 8. Earth's Battle with Sky 9. The Birds Choose a King 10. God Appoints the Cock 11. Origin of the Ox 12. Origin of Cattle 13. Two for the Husband, One for the Wives 14. The Fall 15. Ranoro 16. The Origin of Wood Sculpture 17. Origin of Human Beings; The First Sculptor 18. Sun God Marries Earth 19. God Makes a Statue 20. Repairing an Egg 21. The Three Brothers 22. The Guinea-Fowl 23. Four Brothers: Bunku, Mladje, Sumbui, and Laul 24. Origin of the Animals, Creation of Various Species 25. Mr. Sun and Mrs. Earth 26. The Bat 27. Origin of the Fly 28. Crocodile, Chameleon, and Sitry 29. Ox and Crocodile 30. Master of the Earth 31. Self-Created 32. The Ungrateful Beast 33. The Girl Entrusted to a Servant 34. Tinaimbuati and God 35. Looking for Trouble 36. Ibonia 37. Half a Man 38. Why Vazaha Are Superior to Malagasy 39. The Boyhood of Radama II 40. Ngano 41. The Clever Peasant Girl 2. Diaspora 42. The Cat and the Fosa 43. Cock and Hare 44. Soungoula, Zako, and Mama Tig 45. The Deceptive Tug-of-War 46. Hare at the Animals' Well, 1 47. The Old Lady at the Bus Station 48. Hare Rides Tortoise A-courting 49. Mauritius's Bomb 50. The Cat and the Water-Rat 51. Hare at the Animals' Well, 2 52. Elephant, Hare, Lion 53. Soungoula at the Animals' Well 54. Soungoula's Tug-of-War 55. The Loose Handle 56. Bunuaswi the Wise 57. Bwanawasi 58. Making True Friendship 59. Slick a |
|