Myths of North Africa. From the Golden-Leafed Tree of Sheshra to the Goddess Tanit and Egyptian Changelings
14.99 €
In stock
Myths of North Africa. From the Golden-Leafed Tree of Sheshra to the Goddess Tanit and Egyptian Changelings
14.99 €
North Africa is the "cradle of civilizations", a real mosaic of cultures. But how much do we know about the myths of its indigenous peoples? Not much. Some of them have merged with Islam, some have been forgotten - but even behind the many layers we can still discern their amazingly poetic world, where the universe rests on the horns of a buffalo, the sky reflects emerald mountains, and a randomly thrown date pit can hit a genie...
Sarali Ginzburg's book is the first publication in Russian dedicated to the most ancient beliefs, legends and rituals of the peoples of Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. You will get acquainted with the cosmogonic myths of the Kabyles and their main characters - the First Buffalo, the Ant and the First Mother, learn what the ifrits are made of, meet the genie Aisha Kandisha and the descendants of the ancient Egyptian god Bes, hear fantastic stories about saints traveling after death and reveal the meaning of "protective" henna drawings.
Why did women initially rule the world, and then lose this power? Who are ghouls and how did lions descend from humans? Why does a crow scream "I was wrong", and the main calling of the First Mother is "to give bad advice"? What creatures are created from "scorching fire"? What is the difference between genies, ifrits and shaitans - or between white, black and red genies? Who or what do the righteous turn into after death and how is the word "carnival" associated with Isis?
These are just a few of the questions you will find out by immersing yourself in the folklore of North African peoples who have, despite everything, retained their identity.
Sarali Ginzburg's book is the first publication in Russian dedicated to the most ancient beliefs, legends and rituals of the peoples of Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. You will get acquainted with the cosmogonic myths of the Kabyles and their main characters - the First Buffalo, the Ant and the First Mother, learn what the ifrits are made of, meet the genie Aisha Kandisha and the descendants of the ancient Egyptian god Bes, hear fantastic stories about saints traveling after death and reveal the meaning of "protective" henna drawings.
Why did women initially rule the world, and then lose this power? Who are ghouls and how did lions descend from humans? Why does a crow scream "I was wrong", and the main calling of the First Mother is "to give bad advice"? What creatures are created from "scorching fire"? What is the difference between genies, ifrits and shaitans - or between white, black and red genies? Who or what do the righteous turn into after death and how is the word "carnival" associated with Isis?
These are just a few of the questions you will find out by immersing yourself in the folklore of North African peoples who have, despite everything, retained their identity.
See also:
- All books by the publisher
- All books by the author
- All books in the series Myths from start to finish