Folktales, Narrative Rituals, and Oral Traditions
Starred review from June 1, 2022
Part 1 of this book by C˘vorovic� (anthropology, Arizona State Univ.; Roast Chicken and Other Gypsy Stories) and Coe (emerita, public health, Indiana Univ./Purdue Univ.-Indianapolis; The Ancestress Hypothesis) offers five well-written broad overview essays (eight to nine pages in length each) on the history of storytelling, common elements shared by multiple cultures, storytelling media, lessons taught by the stories, and the evolution of 21st-century storytelling. Part 2 encompasses alphabetically arranged entries, three to five pages in length each, on the storytelling traditions of 52 Indigenous societies. These are located in Africa (19 of the 52 societies), South America (five), North America (11), Oceania and Asia (11), Europe (three), and the Middle East (three). Indigenous peoples covered include the Ashanti, Zulu, Incas, Maori, Basque, and Kurds. Each entry includes an overview, details on who tells stories and when they are told, creation tales (with excerpts), the purpose behind storytelling in the culture (morals, ethics, values, cultural preservation), and a short print and nonprint bibliography. Similar works recite specific cultures' tales and myths but omit the tales' how, why, and background. Glossary entries here define basic terms such as "lineage," "media," and "dowry," while specific cultural words such as "beyts" are overlooked; in addition, better editing would have benefited the work. A cumulative bibliography and detailed index close the presentation. VERDICT Fascinating for general readers and students interested in storytelling, cross-cultural history, communication skills, anthropology, sociology, or world history.--Laurie Selwyn
Copyright 2022 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
August 1, 2022
This overview of storytelling is notable for its fresh interpretations and contemporary references. Detailed, pages-long essays review storytelling basics (history, definitions, universal elements, etc.) and are filled with references to both classical myths and legends and influential tales from modern societies (including the twenty-first century). Authors Čvorovic and Coe follow with storytelling traditions from Indigenous cultures around the world, organized according to geographic region. The section on Africa offers engaging, accessible articles on 19 Indigenous societies, incorporating standardized subsections: ""Overview,"" ""Storytellers: Who Tell the Stories and When,"" ""Creation Mythologies,"" ""Teaching Tales and Values,"" ""Cultural Preservation,"" and distinct further-reading suggestions. These articles incorporate numerous illustrative story samples and boxed insets about significant traditional practices and totems. Other sections cover South America (5 cultures), North America (8 selections), Asia and Oceania (11), Europe (3: Basque, Roma, and Saami), and 3 cultures from the Middle East (Bedouins, Kurds, and Mandaeans). Back matter includes a particularly helpful glossary, an extensive bibliography, and detailed index. Reference collections that include works on storytelling and oral traditions will definitely want to consider this updated and authoritative offering.
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