Folktales of the Amazon - by Juan Carlos Galeano (Paperback)

About the Book

Here are forty-one tales gathered from Amazonian fishermen, hunters, lodgers, small plot farm gardeners, and villagers in Venezuela, Guyana, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia and Ecuador. Organized thematically, these tales for mature readers convey messages of kinship bonds and reciprocity, capturing the socialized relationships between peoples, animals, plants, places and a variety of shape-shifting supernatural entities. Often shocking or hair-raising, some of these tales even range into illicit topics, such as cannibalism and psychotropic plants.
Illustrations, historical background, a map, glossary, and story notes enhance the collection. A great resource for folklorists, upper-level educators, anthropologists and storytellers (especially those looking for scary stories or tales with environmental themes), this book can be used as supplementary reading in college level courses on Amazonian culture and literature.

Book Synopsis

Here are forty-one tales gathered from Amazonian fishermen, hunters, lodgers, small plot farm gardeners, and villagers in Venezuela, Guyana, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia and Ecuador. Organized thematically, these tales for mature readers convey messages of kinship bonds and reciprocity, capturing the socialized relationships between peoples, animals, plants, places and a variety of shape-shifting supernatural entities. Often shocking or hair-raising, some of these tales even range into illicit topics, such as cannibalism and psychotropic plants.

Review Quotes

"If any of the countries of the great Amazon basin are in the curriculum of your school, then this is a fascinating collection of folktales that can be used to build authenticity into the study of the region. These tales are very different than the Eurocentral ones kids and teens have heard, so it is a fresh new experience...These are as close to authentic as it gets." --Teacher Librarian

"Galeano, a poet and translator, left his native Columbia long ago, but recently revived an interest in the folktales of the region as a source for poetic and literary inspiration. He taped the stories from oral tellings, then drew on his literary craft to rework and rewrite them. In addition to offering the tales themselves, he demonstrates a way of looking at folklore from the perspective of art rather than social science. His sections are topical, with tales about origins; anacondas and boas; dolphins and other aquatic seducers; beasts and forest defenders; dark and malevolent shamans; punishment for ill behavior; and special places, plants, and birds." --Reference & Research Book News

About the Author

Juan Carlos Galeano is a poet, translator and filmmaker who has worked extensively in the Amazon basin. He grew up in the Amazon region of Colombia and is a professor at Florida State University.