Folktales of the Amazon (Hardcover)

The Amazon River basin, known for its lush fertility, and varied flora and fauna, has also nourished a rich and diverse folklore tradition. Here are forty-one tales gathered from Amazonian fishermen, hunters, lodgers, small plot farm gardeners, and villagers in Venezuela, Guyana, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador. Organized thematically, these tales for mature readers convey messages of kinship bonds and reciprocity, capturing the socialized relationships between peoples, animals, plants, places, and a variety of shape-shifting supernatural entities. Often shocking or hair-raising, some of these tales even range into forbidden topics, such as cannibalism and psychotropic plants. Illustrations, historical background, a map, glossary and story notes enhance this collection. A great resource for folklorists, upper-level educators in social sciences and humanities, and storytellers (especially those looking for tales of menacing creatures that serve to maintain environmental balance), this book can be used as supplementary reading in college level courses on global cultures and literature.