Snake Prince and Other Stories: Burmese Folk Tales

by Edna Ledgard

Overview

collected and retold by Edna Ledgard The people of Burma/Myanmar call it Shwe Pyidaw, the Golden Land, their fertile valley cradled in a horseshoe of mountains. When squabbling Western nations vied for control of the newly-mapped country a century ago, the local population had already lived in the mountainous land for over a millenium. Throughout those centuries, the legends and tales rooted in animist religions created a rich tapestry of spirits that underlie the later arrival of Buddhism. "Nat" spirits, dragons, winged lion-dogs, ogres, mythical galon birds, sorceresses and many more populated the land. This volume brings together 25 of the most-loved of these folk tales.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781566563130
Publisher:	Interlink Publishing Group, Incorporated
Publication date:	12/01/1999
Series:	International Folk Tale Series
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Edna Ledgard was raised in Burma by missionary parents, and educated at Mandalay's American-run mission school for girls. Ledgard remembers the stories of her "Amah," the young Karen woman who watched over her and her brother and sister when they were small. After her father died, Ledgard found a small English primer he had purchased in Rangoon in 1920. It contained several retellings of familiar and loved Burmese legends, and became the inspiration for this collection. Ledgard now lives in Connecticut.

Editorial Reviews

"Two dozen simply told tales capture Burma's ancient culture. A thorough introduction to the country, now called Myanmar, includes the author's childhood remembrances. Organized thematically, many entries have familiar folktale story lines that make this title useful for comparing and contrasting. They're good for reading aloud, and the time line and glossary add valuable details"

From the Publisher

Collector and storyteller Ledgard was raised in Burma (now Myanmar) in the 1930s by missionary parents. Although she now lives in Connecticut, it is clear that the Burma of her childhood is a much-loved memory. In addition to the 25 tales collected here, the author has provided an extensive introduction to Burmese history, religion, and culture, as well as a chronology, a glossary, and a suggested reading list. These materials add considerably to the reader's understanding of the collected stories. The tales themselves are told with forthright simplicity, and the author neither hides nor makes excuses for the contradictions that are a part of any folk culture. Many of the stories will be instantly recognizable for the parallels they have within the Western folklore tradition; others will help illuminate an ancient culture facing the perils of modernization. The stories are ripe for telling, and this book is recommended for all folklore collections.--Katherine Kaigler-Koenig, Ellis Sch., Pittsburgh Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.\

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