African Diaspora at Internet Archive: African American Folktales

Since this is turning into the week of big anthologies, I wanted to share this excellent anthology of folktales edited by Thomas A. Green: African American Folktales.

This book includes many of the "classic" African American folktales, so you might recognize some of those titles here in the table of contents: How Jackal Became an Outcast ~ Terrapin's Magic Dipper and Whip ~ Why Dogs Always Chase Rabbits ~ Why Frog Has No Tail ~ Grandfather's Escape to Free Haven ~ The Little Finger ~ Rabbit Becomes King of the Frogs to Win a Wealthy Wife ~ Rabbit and Tar Man at the Well ~ Compair Lapin and the Little Man of Tar ~ The Pitch Boy ~ Red Feather ~ Clever Jack ~ Jean Sotte ~ Jackskin ~ The Elephant and the Whale ~ John the Fool and John the Smart ~ The Champion ~ The Marriage of Compair Lapin ~ Rabbit Rides Wolf ~ Brother Rabbit, Brother Booky, and Brother Cow ~ Brother Rabbit and the Bag of Gold ~ Brother Fox and the Foolish Jay-Bird ~ Brother Rabbit Brings Brother Fox Back from the Dead ~ Dog and Dog-Head ~ Compair Lapin and the Earthworm ~ Sis 'Coon Shows Brother 'Coon Who's the Boss ~ Owl and Blacksnake ~ The Son Who Sought His Fortune ~ The Seventh Son ~ Mathew Bones" Hooks, Cowboy ~ How the Little Boy Went to Heaven ~ The Water of Life ~ John Divides the Crops ~ Railway Chefs ~ Brother Rabbit Gets Brother Bear Churched ~ Human Weakness ~ Running Hand ~ The Irishmen and the Moon ~ The Irishmen and the Deer ~ Possessed of Two Spirits ~ Ridden by the Night Hag ~ The Hunter and the Little Red Man ~ The Friendly Demon ~ Courted by the Devil ~ Married to a Boar Hog ~ Wait Til Emmet Comes ~ Jean Lavallette and the Curse of the Homme Rouge ~ The Devil's Bride Escapes ~ Aunt Harriet ~ The Stolen Voice.

For each story, Green provides introductory comments, and there is detailed bibliography after each story too:

Green is also the editor of the other volumes in this "American Mosaic" series, including Native American, Latino American, and Asian American folktales. The Internet Archive doesn't have the Latino American or Asian American volumes, but it does have the Native American volume: Native American Folktales.

So, if you are looking for some old favorites or interested in broadening your knowledge, this big anthology is a great place to look. Enjoy the stories!

African American Folktales

edited by Thomas Green