by George W. Bateman
About this book
George W. Bateman's Zanzibar Tales transports listeners to the exotic island of Zanzibar through a collection of enchanting folklore passed down through generations of East African storytellers. Originally translated from Swahili and first published in 1901, these timeless tales reveal a world where animals possess the gift of speech and the most ordinary objects come alive with wisdom and magic.
Unlike the adventure accounts of European travelers who documented only what civilization had already touched, these stories preserve the authentic myths and legends known only to Zanzibar's native people. From Goso the Teacher to the clever gazelle who served as overseer for princes, each narrative demonstrates a sophistication and imaginative brilliance that rivals the greatest European folklore. Bateman's faithful translation captures the oral tradition's unique charm, where talking hares hunt with cunning and inanimate things impart unexpected lessons.
This collection stands as a precious record of African storytelling traditions at a pivotal moment in history, documenting cultural knowledge that the author himself recognized would soon vanish as civilization advanced across the continent. Ideal for listeners who cherish classic children's literature, mythology, and cultural folklore, Zanzibar Tales offers a fascinating window into nineteenth-century East African imagination and the universal power of animal fables to teach and delight audiences of all ages.
