African Folktales at Internet Archive: The Magic Drum

As part of this week's focus on Central Africa, here is an absolutely marvelous book first published in 1961, and just a click away at the Internet Archive: The Magic Drum: Tales from Central Africa by W. F. P. Burton.

There are 75 stories from the Congo in the book, specifically from the Luba people. Burton was a missionary who arrived in Africa in 1914, and he was an early advocate for indigenous leadership in mission churches. He spent the rest of his life in Africa; he died in 1971. He was a prolific author and also an artist; you can find out more about him here: William F. P. Burton, and you can also find his memoir at Internet Archive: Missionary Pioneering in Congo Forests. 

There are illustrations by Ralph Thompson; here is Nge the Leopard:

And Kalulu the Rabbit (my favorite!):

So, if you want a delightful and wide-ranging introduction to folktales of the Congo, this book is an excellent resource; enjoy!

The Magic Drum:

Tales from Central Africa

by W. F. P. Burton