Legends of Africa (Myths of the World) By Mwizenge Tembo
Legends of Africa (Myths of the World Series)
An Illustrated Survey of Oral Traditions, Cultural Cosmologies, and Folktales Across the African Continent
An Illustrated Survey of Oral Traditions, Cultural Cosmologies, and Folktales Across the African Continent
Bibliographic Specifications
- Title: Legends of Africa
- Author: Mwizenge Tembo
- Publisher: Metro Books Ltd, New York
- Publication Date: 1996
- ISBN-13: 9781567993523 (ISBN-10: 1567993524)
- Edition Details: First Edition. Part of the highly acclaimed Myths of the World anthological series.
- Binding: Original publisher's premium glazed pictorial paper boards (hardcover); complete with original matching illustrated dust jacket.
- Physical Format: Oversized Slim Quarto (4to), 96 pages. Profusely illustrated throughout with large, vibrant colour photographic plates, maps, artifacts, and comparative artistic representations. Completed with an integrated glossary and index.
- Language: English
Official Condition Report
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The Book: Very Good Plus (VG+)
- Exterior / Boards: The hardcovers are structurally robust and firm, retaining bright graphics. Minor, micro-scratching and light shelf-rubbing present along the bottom rim margins and corners, entirely standard for an oversized volume of this age. The spine remains beautifully undamaged, unbroken, and upright.
- Interior: The internal text block is clean, crisp, and robustly bound. Aside from the provenance markings noted below, the high-gloss paper stock is immaculate, bright white, and entirely free of reader dog-ears, highlighting, or institutional library attachments.
- Provenance: Features multiple historical, neatly handwritten presentation gift inscriptions executed on the inside front cover board and the preliminary first page. These inscriptions are tastefully penned and do not detract from the visual layout or structural value of the text.
- Protection: Safely enclosed and preserved within an archival-grade protective cellophane sleeve.
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The Dust Jacket: Very Good Plus (VG+)
- Condition: Full and unclipped, mirroring the vivid imagery of the underlying boards. Displays very limited, superficial signs of minor handling and trace storage friction at the head and foot of the spine area. Free of major tears or sun fading.
Synopsis & Historical Value
Published in 1996 by Metro Books, Legends of Africa is an elegant, sweeping exploration into the rich oral traditions that have anchored African societies for millennia. Part of the Myths of the World series, this volume investigates how ancient folktales, creation myths, and legendary epics serve as foundational pillars to define societal values, enforce moral justice, and pass on generational wisdom across varied African cultures.
Rather than looking at these stories as static historical curiosities, author Mwizenge Tembo outlines their living presence. He links universal themes of love, loss, betrayal, and cosmic equilibrium to specific tribal histories, regional migrations, and geographical landscapes. Complemented by spectacular photography and detailed contextual maps, this edition is highly sought after by educators, students of world folklore, and collectors of illustrated anthropological surveys.
Author Profile: Dr. Mwizenge Tembo
Dr. Mwizenge Tembo is a distinguished Zambian scholar, author, and Professor of Sociology. Receiving his advanced education at the University of Zambia and Michigan State University, his life’s work has centered on cross-cultural communication, indigenous knowledge systems, and African sociological structures. A passionate advocate for the preservation of traditional storytelling, Dr. Tembo has written extensively to urge African societies to document their rich heritage before traditional oral memories disappear under the pressures of rapid modernization.
High-Value Search Phrases: Legends of Africa Mwizenge Tembo 1996, Myths of the World series Metro Books, illustrated African folklore hardcover, collectible African mythology books, rare out of print African oral tradition anthologies.
