African Mythology
Geoffrey Parrinder
📚 Genre
Non-Fiction - Mythology and Folklore
🏢 Publisher
Paul Hamlyn
📅 Publication Year
1967
🔢 ISBN
0600303173
About This Book
An introductory exploration of the diverse mythologies, traditional beliefs, and religious concepts across various African cultures, accompanied by rich photographic illustrations of ritual art and artifacts. The cover features a brown background with bold white and orange typography and a central image of traditional African wooden sculpted figures.
Book Details
Language
English
Pages
141
Edition
First Edition Hardcover
Series
Part of the Hamlyn Mythology series
Target Audience
General Audience and Students of Anthropology
Collector Information
Condition
Good. Visible shelf wear along the edges of the dust jacket and cover, slight fading, but structurally intact.
Estimated Value
$10-$30
Rarity
Common. Frequently found in secondhand bookstores and online marketplaces, though nice copies with intact dust jackets are less common.
Historical Significance
An influential mid-20th-century popular introduction that helped bring traditional African religious concepts and mythology to a broader Western readership.
Collector Notes
Key points for collectibility include the presence and condition of the original dust jacket. Store upright in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent fading of the brown background and spine.
Similar Books
African Myths and Legends by Kathleen Arnott, The Gods of Mitnal by Tony Spina, African Traditional Religion by Geoffrey Parrinder, Gods and Heroes of the African Peoples by August Nimtz
Notable Features
Profusely illustrated with color and black-and-white photographs of African art and ritual objects.