Most Popular Books by Elphinstone Dayrell

"Folk Stories from Southern Nigeria" appeal to the anthropologist within me, no less than to the lover of what children and older people call "Fairy Tales." The stories are full of mentions of strange institutions, as well as of rare adventures. I may be permitted to offer some running notes and comments on this mass of African curiosities from the crowded lumber-room of the native mind.

Reproduction of the original: Follk Stories Fron Southern Nigeria by Elphinstone Dayrell

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Elphinstone Dayrell collected folk tales from the Efik and Ibibio peoples of Southeastern Nigeria. The scope of these tales encompasses local mythology and stories suitable for children, to tales so cruel they will still shock a modern public.

تختلط في الحكايات الشعبية، عادةً، شخصيات من البشر والحيوانات والكائنات الخرافية التي تعيش معاً في جَوّ الحكاية. وفي حكايات نيجيريا الجنوبية يكون التطابق التام بين هذه الشخصيات.. تتداخل أسباب عيشها، وترتبط بعلاقات اجتماعية مدهشة (زواج، صداقة، وإنجاب.)، وينتظرها مصير مشترك، غالباً ما تحدده عناصر الطبيعة والفصول والتضاريس الجغرافية. إنها تسع وثلاثون حكاية تنشدُ قيمَ الخير والعدالة والحب والوفاء، وتذم أضدادها من قيم الشر والظلم والخداع، بأسلوب يركّز على الطرافة والفِطنة والألغاز.