Books by Stephen Belcher

Introduces English-speaking readers to the extensive epic traditions in Africa.

Presents material from diverse African oral epic traditions. This book explores the rich past and poetic force of African epics and places them in historical and social, as well as artistic contexts. It offers colourful narratives from Central and West African traditions along with texts that are more widely available to Western readers.

Gathering a wide range of traditional African myths, this compelling new collection offers tales of heroes battling mighty serpents and monstrous birds, brutal family conflict and vengeance, and desperate migrations across vast and alien lands. From impassioned descriptions of animal-creators to dramatic stories of communities forced to flee monstrous crocodiles, all the narratives found here concern origins - whether of the universe, peoples or families. Together, they create a kaleidoscopic picture of the rich and varied oral traditions that have shaped the culture and society of successive generations of Africans for thousands of years, throughout the long struggle to survive and explore this massive and environmentally diverse continent.