Description
The Black Decameron
Book Summary
This work brings together a fascinating collection of oral African folktales, compiled by the renowned German ethnologist Leo Frobenius. Far from clichés, these stories unfold a universe of chivalric adventures, cunning, and a distinct erotic tone, offering a unique window into the worldview, values, and rich imagination of diverse cultures across the African continent. A literary and anthropological treasure.
What is it about?
The book presents a selection of oral narratives collected by Leo Frobenius during his expeditions through Africa. Far from being simple fables, these tales possess a narrative complexity that combines the epic with the picaresque, the amorous with the brutal. The characters move in a world where kings and sorcerers, heroes and maidens, talking animals, and spirits intertwine in plots that explore honor, vengeance, desire, and folk wisdom. The title, which evokes Boccaccio's classic, is no coincidence: eroticism and playfulness are recurring elements, presented with a naturalness and sense of humor that challenge the Western vision of traditional Africa. It is, in essence, a journey into the oral memory of a continent.
Main themes
- Oral literature and African narrative tradition.
- Eroticism and power relations in pre-colonial contexts.
- Codes of honor, chivalry, and cunning in African societies.
- Cosmogony, mythology, and spirituality of sub-Saharan African peoples.
- The intersection of ethnographic research and literary creation.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at readers interested in travel literature, anthropology, and the oral heritage of non-Western cultures. It is also for those seeking quality narrative with an original perspective, far from European canons, and who appreciate magical realism or collections of stories with a strong historical and social component. It is an ideal read for those who wish to discover a little-known facet of African literary tradition.
What this book offers
- Privileged access to a corpus of African stories that is rarely collected in written format.
- A rigorous ethnographic perspective, yet narrated with the fluidity of a great storyteller.
- A counterpoint to the homogeneous view of Africa, showing the sophistication and diversity of its oral traditions.
- A reading experience that combines literary pleasure with cultural learning.
Technical specifications
- Author: Frobenius, Leo
- Publisher: Ediciones del Viento, S.L.
- Language: Spanish
- Topic: MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY FICTION, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL HISTORY, TRAVEL LITERATURE
- Collection: VIENTO SIMUN
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: February 2012
- Number of pages: 392
- Weight: 590 g
Editorial review
This is an essential edition for lovers of travel literature and classical ethnography. The Frobenius collection not only possesses undeniable documentary value, but also offers an engaging and surprising read, capable of dismantling prejudices and enriching the reader's imagination. A title that stands out for its uniqueness and the quality of its content, perfect for those seeking to go beyond conventional tales.