Myths of North Africa. From the Sheshra Tree with Golden Leaves to the Goddess Tanit and the Egyptian Changeling

North Africa – the "cradle of civilizations", a true mosaic of cultures. But how much do we know about the myths of its indigenous peoples? Not much. Partially they merged with Islam, partially they were forgotten – but even through many layers, we can still glimpse their wonderfully poetic world, where the universe rests on the horns of a buffalo, the sky reflects emerald mountains, and a casually discarded date pit can hit a djinn…

The book by Sarali Gintzburg is the first edition in Russian dedicated to the ancient beliefs, legends, and rituals of the peoples of Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco. You will get acquainted with the cosmogonic myths of the Kabyles and their main characters – the First Buffalo, the Ant and the First Mother, learn about what ifrits are made of, meet the djinnia Aisha Qandisha and the descendants of the ancient Egyptian god Bes, hear fantastic stories about the traveling souls of saints after death, and uncover the meaning of the protective henna drawings.

Why did women initially rule the world, and why did they later lose this power? Who are ghouls and how did lions originate from humans? Why does the crow cry "I was wrong", and what is the main calling of the First Mother – "to give bad advice"? What creatures are created from "scorching fire"? What is the difference between djinn, ifrits, and shaytans – or between white, black, and red djinn? Into whom or what do the righteous transform after death, and how is the word "carnival" connected to Isis?

These are just a few of the questions that you will clarify as you immerse yourself in the folklore of North African peoples, who have preserved their uniqueness against all odds.