num_pages: 144
description: In these beloved stories we meet a Kenyan lion named Simba, a snake with seven heads, and tricksters from Zulu folklore; we hear the voices of the scheming hyena, and we learn from a Khoi fable how animals acquired their tails and horns. Creation myths tell us how the land, its animals, and its people all came into existence under a punishing sun or against the backdrop of a spectacularly beautiful mountain landscape. Whether warning children about the dangers of disobedience or demonstrating that the underdog can, and often does, win, these stories, through their depiction of wise animals as well as evil monsters, are universal in their portrayal of humanity, beasts, and the mystical. Translated from their original languages—Karanga, Nguni, Xhosa, and many others—these folktales are a testament to the craft of storytelling and the power of myth.
language: English
title: Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales
titlecomplete: Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales
genres: Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Childrens, Picture Books, Short Stories, Folklore, Africa, Audiobook, Mythology, Fiction
ratings_count: 1441
places: South Africa
series: Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales
awards: name: Aesop Accolade Award, awardedAt: 1262332800000
name: Audie Award
category: Audiobook of the Year
publisher: W. W. Norton & Company