Bøker av Matt Clayton

Do you like stories about gods and spirits, giants and monsters, damsels in distress and clever heroes?All of these can be found in African myth and folklore, which have a vast and varied tapestry of stories from hundreds of cultures, each with its own traditions and values.Sometimes the heroes of these stories are divine beings who come down from heaven to create the world we live in, but sometimes human beings and animals themselves are the ones who see to it that the sun, moon, and stars are put into their proper places.Sometimes the heroes are hapless men who get into more trouble than they can handle, while others find a way out of their predicament by getting help from unlikely sources. Sometimes the heroines find themselves in mortal peril because they are not paying attention and have to be rescued by someone else, while others are forced into their predicaments by external forces that require them to be saved or save themselves.However, whatever the danger and whomever the hero is, all of these stories have the ability to captivate our imaginations and keep us on the edge of our seats.Here are just a few of the amazing characters you will meet in this book: a princess who gets eaten by a monster and then goes on to marry a mysterious prince who is not all he seems to bea young woman who is sacrificed to end a drought but rescued by the young man who loves her dearlya blacksmith who is given an impossible task, and the madman who helps solve the problemthe children who put the sun into the skythe fanged deer whose eyes turned into the starsthe clever lad who saves his uncle from death and outsmarts every enemy he comes acrossthe brave young woman who weaves a magic basket to save herself and her friends from a vicious highwaymanand much, much, more!Scroll up and click the "add to cart" button to enjoy each of these fascinating stories from the world of African myths, legends, and fairy tales!

Do you like stories about kings and queens, spirits and monsters, or tricksters and villains?If so, this book is for you. Containing delightful stories from the Yoruba and other West African peoples, this book presents tales of courage and cunning, virtue and vice, and fortunes found and lost. Some of these stories draw upon actual historical persons and events, while others are purely fictional, but each story has something to delight any reader.Here are just a few of the stories you will find inside this book: How Queen Moremi saved her people from their enemiesWhy King Oranyan's staff still stands in its place todayHow Gassire gave up dreams of a kingdom to become a singer of talesHow a king wanted to know what it was like to be poor and found out the hard wayHow clever commoners outwitted the kings who wanted to kill themHow the Ashanti came to farm yamsHow a baby who was not yet ready to be born defeated the monster SasabonsamHow the wise and clever Kumba saved her village from a man-eating lionHow Kigbo the farmer learned the hard way that it is not wise to play around with spiritsAnd much, much more!Scroll up and click the "add to cart" button to enjoy each of these captivating West African stories!

Do you like epic tales that sing the deeds of the world's greatest heroes?If so, you will love this volume of epics from the West African country of Mali. Each is full of battles and derring-do, magic, and prophecies based on historical events. The Epic of Sunjata tells the tale of the great thirteenth-century king of the Mali Empire, Sunjata Keita, who started life as a disabled boy but rose to become one of Mali's greatest warriors and king of a vast empire. The Epic of Bakaridjan Koné, a proud epic in its own right, is but a part of the larger Epic of Bambara Segu, one of the longest African epics, detailing the history of the Segu Empire, which lasted from 1712 to 1861. Like Sunjata, Bakaridjan Koné is a formidable warrior; however, he has no designs on power, preferring only to serve his king with valorous deeds.Here are just a few of the amazing episodes you'll read in these epics: How a hunter prophesied that Sunjata would become the king of a great empire.How Sunjata was disabled at birth but learned to walk and gained superhuman strength.Sunjata's exile from Mali and his growth into manhood.How Sunjata fought and defeated the evil sorcerer-king, Sumanguru Kanté.How a Muslim soothsayer prophesied that Bakaridjan Koné would outshine all of the king's sons and become the greatest warrior of Segu.How Bakaridjan Koné performed the deeds of a hero while he was yet a boy.How Bakaridjan Koné defeated an evil water jinni that even King Da Monzon was afraid to challenge.How Bakaridjan Koné lost his honor and then regained it.How King Da Monzon tried to assassinate Bakaridjan but was foiled by Bakaridjan's son.And much more!Scroll up and click the "add to cart" button to enjoy each of these fascinating West African epics!

¿Sabía que, según la mitología japonesa, existe un número infinito de kami que habitan cada parte de la naturaleza? La mitología japonesa ofrece una mirada asombrosa sobre el mundo natural. A través de historias de heroicos samuráis, espeluznantes fantasmas vengativos y deidades que ejercen el poder de la naturaleza, junto a otras figuras míticas, se enfatiza la importancia de que los humanos vivan armoniosamente con su entorno. Se dice a menudo que para comprender la cultura y la historia de un país, se necesita simplemente escuchar las historias que cuentan sobre el mundo que los rodea. Al aprender sobre diferentes kami y yokai, al examinar la importancia que el sintoísmo y el budismo han tenido en la creación de mitos, y al leer cuentos populares e historias de fantasmas, uno puede apreciar la sociedad japonesa moderna. Aunque sería imposible reunir todos los diferentes mitos japoneses con todas sus variantes en un solo libro, esta guía introductoria proporciona al lector interesado una bonita, aunque algo modesta, colección de historias para comenzar este fantástico viaje. Algunos de los temas incluidos son: La creación mítica de JapónLos orígenes legendarios de la familia imperial de JapónDatos interesantes sobre los diferentes kami y yokaiLa asombrosa intersección entre el sintoísmo y el budismo en la mitología japonesaEscalofriantes historias de fantasmas japonesesCuentos heroicos sobre un buscador de perlas y un hombre nacido de un melocotónUna historia sobre amantes desventurados que inspiró el festival Tanabata, o festival de las estrellas, que se celebra hasta el día de hoy¡Y mucho más!Obtenga ya este libro para aprender más sobre mitos japoneses.

Did you know that the Caucasus region is home to a variety of myths and legends, some ancient, some medieval, and all influenced in some way by interactions with outside cultures?The Caucasus Mountains straddle the isthmus between the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea. The location of the Caucasus region has made it a crossroads for travelers, traders, and invaders from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East alike. Many of the languages spoken in the Caucasus are unique to the region, while others are related to Turkic and Indo-European languages.This region''s myths and legends are not as well known to outsiders as the mythologies of places like ancient Greece or ancient Egypt. The Circassian and Armenian genocides took their toll, as did the Soviet occupation, the last of which purged much of the native culture. Nevertheless, much of the mythology and literature of the Caucasus still survives today.In this book, you will get a brief but captivating introduction to some of the fine tales created by the resilient people who call this part of the world their home.Here is just a small fraction of what you''ll discover:Tales about the Circassian hero Sosruko and his friend, the blacksmith god TlepshHow Tlepsh went looking for knowledge at the end of the world and met Lady TreeJust-so tales about the origins of earthquakes, thunder, and the Milky WayInfluences from Persian literature on stories from Armenia and GeorgiaA fairy tale about a merciful exiled prince and his clever servantThe adventures of the bold knights Avtandil and Tariel, both brave as lions and desperately in love with their fair ladiesAnd so much more!Scroll up and click the "add to cart" button to read these amazing stories from the Caucasus region!

Explore Captivating Persian and Caucasus MythsTwo captivating manuscripts in one book:Persian Mythology: Captivating Myths of Gods, Goddesses, Heroes, and Legendary CreaturesTales from the Caucasus: Captivating Myths and Legends from Circassia, Armenia, and GeorgiaThe roots of Persian myth extend back more than five thousand years to the culture of the Aryan people who migrated into Iran from India. Ideas from this ancient culture have enjoyed amazing longevity and are alive even today as part of the Zoroastrian faith, which is still practiced in Iran, India, and several other places around the world.However, Persian myth is more than just sacred writings about divine beings. There are also fantastic tales of kings and queens, of foundling princes who gain their rightful place against all odds, of magical beasts, and the daring adventures of bold heroes who ride out to conquer demons and dragons alike-and who always come home victorious.Some of the topics and myths covered in manuscript 1 of this book include:The struggle between the good creator, Ahura Mazda, and the evil destroyer, Angra MainyuThe story of Ahura Mazda''s creation of the world and the Blessed Immortals who guard it and keep it in existenceHow Yima the good shepherd enlarged the world to make room for all its creatures and then saved it from an apocalyptic winterThe victory of the prophet Zarathustra over the demons sent to kill himThe story of Kuyamars, the very first Persian king, and his grandson Hushang, who discovered fireThe downfall of King Jamshid the Magnificent, who thought he was as powerful as GodThe evil Prince Zahhak, who had serpents growing out of his shouldersThe fearsome but kindly Simorgh, a mythical giant bird with a lion''s headThe great hero Rostam and his faithful stallion, RakhshAnd more!Some of the topics and myths covered in manuscript 2 of this book include:Tales about the Circassian hero Sosruko and his friend, the blacksmith god TlepshHow Tlepsh went looking for knowledge at the end of the world and met Lady TreeJust-so tales about the origins of earthquakes, thunder, and the Milky WayInfluences from Persian literature on stories from Armenia and GeorgiaA fairy tale about a merciful exiled prince and his clever servantThe adventures of the bold knights Avtandil and Tariel, both brave as lions and desperately in love with their fair ladiesAnd so much more!So if you want to learn about Persian and Caucasus myths, scroll up and click the "add to cart" button!

Have you ever encountered a noblewoman who was so beautiful that every time she walked by a body of water, the divine being who lived there kidnapped her? Or a mole who wanted to marry his beloved daughter to the wind? You will get to meet both of them in this book.Long ago, Korea was divided into the three kingdoms of Koguryo, Silla, and Paekche. Each kingdom had its own culture, myths, and legends. Many of these myths were first written down in a collection called Samguk yusa, or "Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms," which was compiled by a Buddhist monk named Iryeon in the late thirteenth century.Changes in religious belief across the centuries came to have an important impact on Korean mythology. The earliest religion was a form of shamanism, and the belief in gods and spirits who inhabit animals and mountains come to the fore in several of these tales. Buddhism was introduced in the fourth century, and several Korean myths have Buddhist monks or priests as their protagonists. Confucianism, which gained traction in Korea starting at the end of the fourteenth century, contributed to the concept of filial piety that informs the plots of several of the stories in this volume.Some of these myths involve high-status people such as kings and government officials, or else tell of the activities of divine beings such as heavenly maidens or dragons, while others are amusing tales about the doings of cats and dogs and other animals. Myths such as "The Legend of Tangun" explain how kingdoms were founded, while "Kot''aji and the God of the Western Sea" tell the tale of how the archer Kot''aji saved a dragon and his family from the predations of a malicious demon, while other dragon stories are about people needing to be rescued from their long, scaly hosts who, despite having snatched people away from their families, are largely benignant beings who treat their guests well.Here are just a few of the other amazing things you will encounter in this collection of Korean myths and legends:The story of how King Tongmyong hatched out of an eggThe legend of how the dragon Ch''oyong became a protector against smallpoxA Korean frog prince and a Korean CinderellaA Buddhist monk who is befriended by a spiritThe good brother whom the King of the Swallows rewards for his kindness, and the bad brother who learns a hard lesson about selfishnessWhy cats and dogs are enemiesAnd more!Scroll up and click the "add to cart" button to learn more about Korean myths and legends.

You may have studied the ancient Persian Empire in school, but have you ever wondered what kinds of stories the ancient Persians told to themselves and their children?The roots of Persian myth extend back more than five thousand years to the culture of the Aryan people who migrated into Iran from India. Ideas from this ancient culture have enjoyed amazing longevity and are alive even today as part of the Zoroastrian faith, which is still practiced in Iran, India, and several other places around the world.However, Persian myth is more than just sacred writings about divine beings. There are also fantastic tales of kings and queens, of foundling princes who gain their rightful place against all odds, of magical beasts, and the daring adventures of bold heroes who ride out to conquer demons and dragons alike-and who always come home victorious.In this book of captivating myths from the rich culture of ancient Persia, you will encounter:The struggle between the good creator, Ahura Mazda, and the evil destroyer, Angra MainyuThe story of Ahura Mazda''s creation of the world and the Blessed Immortals who guard it and keep it in existenceHow Yima the good shepherd enlarged the world to make room for all its creatures and then saved it from an apocalyptic winterThe victory of the prophet Zarathustra over the demons sent to kill himThe story of Kuyamars, the very first Persian king, and his grandson Hushang, who discovered fireThe downfall of King Jamshid the Magnificent, who thought he was as powerful as GodThe evil Prince Zahhak, who had serpents growing out of his shouldersThe fearsome but kindly Simorgh, a mythical giant bird with a lion''s headThe great hero Rostam and his faithful stallion, RakhshAnd more!Scroll up and click the "add to cart" button to read these and many more tales from ancient Persia!

Tres manuscritos en un libroMitología china: Una guía fascinante sobre el folklore chino que incluye cuentos fantásticos, mitos y leyendas de la antigua ChinaMitología japonesa: Una fascinante guía del folclore japonés, mitos, cuentos de hadas, yokai, héroes y heroínasMitología Hindú: Una Guía Fascinante de Mitos Hindúes y de Dioses y Diosas HindúesAlgunos de los temas y preguntas cubiertos en la primera parte de este libro incluyenUna historia sobre el origen de la Tierra y los humanosUn fascinante cuento sobre el pobre Ma Liang y su pincel mágicoHistorias sobre desastres naturalesLi Tieguai: un mito taoístaSun Wukong: el Rey MonoLa investidura de los diosesUna historia sobre los tres reinosMitología modernaY mucho, mucho más.Algunos de los temas y preguntas cubiertos en la segunda parte de este libro incluyen:Las historias de la creaciónLos mitos de los orígenesEl viaje al inframundoLas andanzas de Susano-oEl nacimiento de Amaterasu, Trukuyumi, Susawono, y el niño-sanguijuelaLa historia del peine y la maldiciónAmaterasu y SusanowoEl contrato de Amaterasu y SusawonoHistorias de los tres yokai más malvados de JapónHistorias de yokai servicialMi Señor Bolsa de ArrozLa historia de Urashima TaroEl cuento del cortador de bambú y Kaguya himeLa leyenda de Yamato TakeruVersiones contemporáneas de la mitología japonesa¡Y más!Algunos de los temas y preguntas que se tratan en la tercera parte de este libro incluyen:El Señor Brahma, el Señor Visnú y el Principio del MundoEl Nacimiento del Señor ShivaSarasvati y la Quinta Cabeza de BrahmaShiva Pone a Parvati a PruebaShiva Atrapa a una BallenaGanesha Pierde su CabezaGanesha Vierte un RíoEl Orgullo de KuberaGanesha Hiere a una DiosaGanesha Gana una CarreraShiva Esquiva al ÉxitoLas Diez Cabezas de RavanaEl Nacimiento de RamaEl Sueño de UrmilaEl Ciervo del EngañoLa Antorcha de HanumanSuvannamachha Roba un PuenteHanuman Mueve una MontañaLa Batalla FinalLa Pureza de SitaKrishna Roba MantequillaKrishna Intercambia JoyasKrishna se Traga las LlamasAgni Difunde una MaldiciónVayu Humilla al Árbol del AlgodónSavitri Escoge MaridoLa Fidelidad de Savitri¡Y muchos más!¡Consiga este libro para saber más sobre Mitología asiática!

Si busca una fascinante colección de mitos de los nativos americanos, siga leyendo...Parte de la historia de las culturas indígenas es, por supuesto, sus tradiciones de contar historias. Los mitos, leyendas y cuentos populares juegan un papel importante en la explicación de cómo el mundo llegó a ser como es, así como entretener a los oyentes con historias de humor o de miedo, o darles modelos a seguir con los cuentos de héroes.El autor de este libro se ha esforzado por proporcionar al menos un mito de cada grupo cultural importante de América del Norte: Ártico, Subártico, Meseta, Costa Noroeste, Gran Cuenca, Grandes Llanuras, California, Suroeste, Sureste y Bosque del Noreste.De los muchos géneros diferentes de historias disponibles, se han elegido cuatro para este volumen. El primero tiene que ver con los orígenes de las cosas, ya sea del mundo en su totalidad o de algún aspecto del mismo que fue significativo para la gente que creó la historia.El otro lado de la creación es la muerte, por lo que la segunda sección se refiere a las historias de fantasmas y monstruos, algunas aterradoras, otras amigables, algunas víctimas de bromas de personas vivas. Sin embargo, de los actos de destrucción llevados a cabo por seres sobrenaturales, a menudo hay algo nuevo creado o un cambio que funciona y que es necesario para que el mundo funcione correctamente.Embaucadores y héroes ocupan la tercera y cuarta sección del libro, respectivamente. El coyote es, por supuesto, el personaje favorito de los embaucadores para la mayoría de los grupos indígenas de América del Norte, mientras que el cuervo es importante para los pueblos del noroeste del Pacífico y las regiones árticas. El castor es un embaucador para los nez percés de la meseta del río Columbia, y para los pomo de California, la pequeña rata de madera también vive de su ingenio. Estos embaucadores son a su vez inteligentes, crédulos, vencedores y víctimas, pero siempre hay una lección moral que aprender de las historias de sus aventuras.La última sección del libro presenta historias de héroes indígenas. Muchos de estos héroes son compartidos por múltiples culturas, generalmente dentro de la misma área cultural o en áreas culturales adyacentes.Mitología nativa americana: Mitos fascinantes de los pueblos indígenas de América del Nortele invita a realizar un viaje sorprendente y descubrir los siguientes mitos:OrígenesFantasmas y monstruosCuentos de artimañasCuentos de héroes¡Y mucho, mucho más!¡Adquiera este libro ahora para aprender más sobre la mitología de los nativos americanos!

Descubra Mitos Hindúes Fascinantes sobre Dioses y Diosas HindúesLas historias de la mitología hindú provienen de las tradiciones del hinduismo y se basan en historias procedentes de textos antiguos como el Ramayana y el Mahabharata. Conviene tener este hecho en cuenta, ya que hay diferentes versiones del hinduismo que inspiran a personas diferentes, muchas y muy diversas versiones de las historias que circulan a través de la jungla y aparecen en las piedras de los templos y las tradiciones. Las historias incluidas en este volumen son mi propia versión, aunque me he ceñido a los mitos y leyendas originales tanto como la imaginación me ha permitido. Al final de este libro, encontrará una breve bibliografía para continuar investigando y leyendo sobre el tema.En este libro, encontrará versiones los siguientes mitos hindúes:El Señor Brahma, el Señor Visnú y el Principio del MundoEl Nacimiento del Señor ShivaSarasvati y la Quinta Cabeza de BrahmaShiva Pone a Parvati a PruebaShiva Atrapa a una BallenaGanesha Pierde su CabezaGanesha Vierte un RíoEl Orgullo de KuberaGanesha Hiere a una DiosaGanesha Gana una CarreraShiva Esquiva al ÉxitoLas Diez Cabezas de RavanaEl Nacimiento de RamaEl Sueño de UrmilaEl Ciervo del EngañoLa Antorcha de HanumanSuvannamachha Roba un PuenteHanuman Mueve una MontañaLa Batalla FinalLa Pureza de SitaKrishna Roba MantequillaKrishna Intercambia JoyasKrishna se Traga las LlamasAgni Difunde una MaldiciónVayu Humilla al Árbol del AlgodónSavitri Escoge MaridoLa Fidelidad de Savitri¡Y muchos más!¡Consiga este libro para saber más sobre mitología hindú!