Caribbean Folklore : A Handbook

Accessible to students and general readers, this book is a concise but thorough introduction to Caribbean folklore. Included are chapters on the many different types of folklore, a selection of examples and texts, a survey of scholarship and criticism, and a look at Caribbean folklore in literature and contemporary culture. The volume closes with a glossary and a bibliography of print and electronic resources suitable for student research. The Caribbean is a world of great historical and cultural importance. It has produced numerous literary, artistic, and musical works and has significantly influenced life in the United States. Folklore is central to Caribbean culture. It draws upon the oral traditions and experiences of the Caribbean people and colors their daily life and creative endeavors. At a time when the Caribbean is gaining increasing importance to the curriculum, this book provides a concise but thorough overview of the folklore of that region. Written for students and general readers, this volume offers a broad survey of Caribbean folklore. It begins by classifying and defining the area's many types of folklore. It then provides numerous examples and texts and looks at related scholarship and criticism. In addition, it comments on the role of folklore in literature and contemporary Caribbean culture. The book closes with a glossary and a bibliography of print and electronic resources suitable for student research.