African oral epic poetry : praising the deeds of a mythic hero / by Fritz H. Pointer ; with a translation of The epic of Kambili (as recited by Seydou Camara) ; translated from Mande into English by Charles S. Bird, with Mamadou Koita and Bourama Soumaoro ; with a foreword by Daniel Kunene.

English, with English translation from Mandingo.

Published in 2012, with Pointer rather than Bird credited as translator, under the title: A translation into English of the epic of Kambili (an African mythic hero).

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Some background on the epic -- Griots and griottes : composers and performers -- Kambili and history -- The hero of the epic -- Poet and accompanists -- Modes and methods of composition in Kambili -- Praise songs, traditional religion and Islam -- Birth, tasks and triumph of Kambili -- In praise of Kambili Sananfila -- The story : a synopsis -- The epic of Kambili.

Print version record.

Professor Pointer is the first person to offer an English translation of the Epic of Kambili, an African heroic myth. The book is careful to point out that this text deserves to be read by myth scholars and shows that the literary tradition of epic myth-telling extends to Africa through its oral folklore. The author argues that the story should be treated as an epic myth that was pieced together by different authors over several centuries, which may or may not have been the result of observing real events. It may have been an imaginative narrative representing cultural norms with verbal symbol.

eBooks on EBSCOhost EBSCO eBook Subscription Academic Collection - Worldwide