Arab Folklore: A Handbook

By Dwight F. Reynolds

The Arab world is constantly in the news. This book gives students and general readers an introduction to Arab culture by surveying the folklore of the region. The volume defines and classifies different types of folklore and provides a wide range of examples and texts. It looks at the critical and scholarly response to Arab folklore and the place of Arab folklore in contemporary culture. Included are references to numerous print and electronic works for further reading.

The Arab world is constantly in the news, and students and general readers need to become familiar with Arab culture. Central to any society are the beliefs and customs held dear by the people. In examining Arab folklore, this book provides a fundamental understanding of the ways of the Arab world. In doing so, it helps readers appreciate Arab culture and gain insight into one of the world's most politically and economically important regions.

Arab folklore is exotic to most students, and this volume begins by defining and classifying different folklore types. It then provides a wide range of examples and texts related to Arab folklore. It surveys the critical and scholarly response to Arab folklore and discusses the importance of Arab folklore to popular culture. The volume closes with a bibliography of print and electronic sources for further reading.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0313333114
• ISBN13: 9780313333118
• Release Date: September 2007
• Publisher: Greenwood
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.5" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Thoughtful guide for college-level students of mythography and Arab culture

Dwight F. Reynolds (Professor of Religious Studies, University of California Santa Barbara) presents Arab Folklore: A Handbook, a scholarly exploration of classic Arab folklore, myths, and tales. An introductory chapter teaches the reader the bare-bones basics about Arabs and Arab history and language, followed by in-depth scrutiny of traditional oral poetry; an evaluation of the classic "Thousand and One Nights" Arab folk narrative; discussion of proverbs, riddles, jokes, and curses; folk music; customs and traditions; scholarship and approaches toward Arab folklore; and much more. A handful of black-an-white illustrations enhance this thoughtful guide for college-level students of mythography and Arab culture, highly recommended for college library shelves.