Snake Prince and Other Stories: Burmese Folk Tales (International Folk Tale Series)
Description
collected and retold by Edna Ledgard The people of Burma/Myanmar call it Shwe Pyidaw, the Golden Land, their fertile valley cradled in a horseshoe of mountains. When squabbling Western nations vied for control of the newly-mapped country a century ago, the local population had already lived in the mountainous land for over a millenium. Throughout those centuries, the legends and tales rooted in animist religions created a rich tapestry of spirits that underlie the later arrival of Buddhism. "Nat" spirits, dragons, winged lion-dogs, ogres, mythical galon birds, sorceresses and many more populated the land. This volume brings together 25 of the most-loved of these folk tales.
Praise for Snake Prince and Other Stories: Burmese Folk Tales (International Folk Tale Series)
"Two dozen simply told tales capture Burma's ancient culture. A thorough introduction to the country, now called Myanmar, includes the author's childhood remembrances. Organized thematically, many entries have familiar folktale story lines that make this title useful for comparing and contrasting. They're good for reading aloud, and the time line and glossary add valuable details"