Voices of Ancestors: African Mythology

Author: Time-Life Books
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2003-01-01
Features: This is a unique world history. Each book is filled with extraordinary stories at the core of a culture, mysterious rituals, wrathful deities, and the pursuit of ghosts and symbols of magic—elements rarely found in most history books. In the early days of humanity, how did people around the world attempt to explain life, death, creation, love, and other mysterious phenomena of life? The myths in this book are crucial for understanding these perspectives. They are the intersection of imagination and history, wisdom and experience, and also the intersection of dreams and reality.
In short, the stories told here have been passed down for millennia and remain profoundly unforgettable due to their enduring vitality. As one of the earliest inhabited continents, Africa is not only the cradle of human civilization but also one of the earliest regions to be colonized. Many legends of this continent have been preserved through oral tradition, passed down from generation to generation, becoming important historical records that reflect early human reflections on their origins.
The Dagon people's deity, Emma, was a massive egg at the beginning of creation, containing the four essential elements needed for the generation of all life: fire, earth, water, and air. After seven successive explosions, these elements gradually began to form life. The hermaphroditic Mawu—Lize, a deity in the folklore of the Fon people, rides inside the mouth of a divine serpent named Edou-Wedo. They created the winding rivers, deep valleys, and steep peaks of the world.
Many myths related to this are described in this book. These myths from different continents form a series called "Myths and Men," which comprehensively explores the cultural and historical roots of human mythology. The exploration and narration of Indian, early American, and Greek and Roman mythology in the series will allow readers to appreciate the magical charm of ancient world cultures.
This is a unique world history. Each book is filled with extraordinary stories at the core of a culture, mysterious rituals, wrathful deities, and the pursuit of ghosts and symbols of magic—elements rarely found in most history books. In the early days of humanity, how did people around the world attempt to explain life, death, creation, love, and other mysterious phenomena of life? The myths in this book are crucial for understanding these perspectives. They are the intersection of imagination and history, wisdom and experience, and also the intersection of dreams and reality.
In short, the stories told here have been passed down for millennia and remain profoundly unforgettable due to their enduring vitality.
Each book is filled with images of sacred sites, symbols, artworks, and mythological figures. For example, you will see the "Book of the Dead" from ancient Egypt, the Holy Grail said to have been used by Jesus, and the shamanic masks of Native Americans in the Americas. Additionally, each book includes historical overviews, maps, and more. The titles span across time and space.
These books are the crystallization of human thought and experience over millennia, a compilation of human wisdom. They are not just a series of books; their rich content celebrates and continues the essence of humanity and the essence of human dreams. You will find yourself turning to them again and again, gaining pleasure, inspiration, and enlightenment. Most importantly, these stories will provide us with a fresh perspective on history and the world.