Tales from the Okavango

About the Book

Tales from the Okavango tells several typical Hambukushu folktales, partly in narration and partly in song. Some of the tales are heard only in song, others only in narration. Most of the stories take place along the Okavango River in Africa. Animal characters interact with legendary characters, Nyambi the god, and the Hambukushu.

Learn the story of Chief Chakova, who goes on an epic journey in search of his father; and the story of Nyambi's climb into heaven by the spider web. Meet Kadimba the hare, Ngando the crocodile, and Mbwawathe the silver fox who are the clever ones who outwit Nthoo the leopard....and many more fascinating characters.

These are authentic folk tales told to Professor Larson by the three greatest Hambukushu story tellers: Setomba the ancient blind man of Shakawe, Mohore the magician, and Samarango the great magician of Seronga.

About the Author

Professor Thomas J. Larson of Klamath Falls, Oregon, was born on a farm in Minnesota in 1917. He has four degrees in cultural anthropology, and made eight expeditions from 1950 to 1994 to study the Hambukushu of Botswana. He is a member of the Explorers Club, Oxford Society, and World War II organizations.