Trickster in West Africa - A Study of Mythic Irony and Sacred Delight

The trickster appears in the myths and folktales of nearly every traditional society. Robert Pelton examines Ashanti, Fon, Yoruba, and Dogon trickster-figures in their social and mythical contexts and in light of contemporary thought, exploring the way the trickster links animality and ritual transformation; culture, sex, and laughter; cosmic process and personal history; divination and social change.

List of contents

I. Interpreting the Trickster 
II. Ananse: Spinner of Ashanti Doubleness 
III. Legba: Master of the Fon Dialectic 
IV. Legba and Eshu: Writers of Destiny 
V. Ogo-Yurugu: Lord of the Random, Servant of Wholeness 
VI. Toward a Theory of the Trickster 

Appendix 
Selected Bibliography 
Index

About the author

Robert D. Pelton is a Roman Catholic priest, a member of Madonna House Apostolate.

Summary

Examines Ashanti, Fon, Yoruba, and Dogon trickster-figures in their social and mythical contexts and in light of contemporary thought, exploring the way the trickster links animality and ritual transformation; culture, sex, and laughter; cosmic process and personal history; and, divination and social change.

Product details

• Authors: Robert D. Pelton, Pelton Robert D.
• Publisher: University Of California Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 21.09.1989
• EAN: 9780520067912
• ISBN: 978-0-520-06791-2
• No. of pages: 324
• Series: Hermeneutics: Studies in the History of Religions; Hermeneutics: Studies in the H; Hermeneutics: Studies in the History of Religions
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > General, dictionaries; Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Religion: general, reference works; RELIGION / General, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Sociology of Religion, Anthropology, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Anthropology / General, Religion: general