«Somali folktales» is the first collection published in Russia of narratives of the people from The Horn of Africa. It comprises more than 200 tales translated from the Somali language. A part of them has been taken from different publications of Somali and foreign folklorists and linguists: Aamina X.Aadan, Axmed Cartan Xaange, Cabdulqaadir F.Bootaan, Ciise M.Siyaad, Maxamed Faarax Cabdillaahi, Muuse Cumar Islaam, Muuse Xaaji Ismaaciil Galaal, Shire Jaamac Axmed, Xasan Yaaquub «Baabraqiis», Bogumil An-drzejewski, Enrico Cerulli, Mario Maino, Martino Mario Moreno, Aki’o Nakano, Bruno Panza, Leo Reinisch and Andrzej Zaborski. The other part has been obtained from Somali experts such as: Axmed Maxamed Nuur, Cabdi Xasan Cali, Cabdifataax Xaashi Kediye, Cabdikariin Maxamed Cabdi, Cabdillaahi Axmed Maxamed, Cabdiraxmaan Axmed Aadan, Cabdisamed Abiikar Xaaji, Cabdixakiim Maxamed Shirwac, Cabdulqaadir Xuseyn Aw-Cali, Ibraahim Jaamac Cali, Maxamed Axmed Maxamed, Maxamed Ciidle Mayle, Summaya Aadan Maxamed, Xasan Saciid Maxamed.
Among the tales in the book are such masterpieces as «Knocked out Eye of a Hyena», «А Rebuke», «А Tragedy», «Human Trial», the cycles about legendary Arraweelo, madcap Wiil-Waal, wise Siyaad Dharyo Dhoobe, cowardly Cigaal Shiidaad and others.
The material is devided into five chapters: Mythological tales, Animal tales, Fairy tales, Classical and heroic legends, Novellistic tales, anecdotes and fables. The Introduction suggests a description of the structure of the book, a commentary on the sources of the original texts, a short ethnographic essay of the Somalis and some notes on the artistic peculiarities of the Somali narrative folklore. The Appendices consist of A Dictionary of untranslatable Somali words, Notes and references, An Article on subjects and motifs of the Somali folktales and A List of published sources used for this book.
The «Somali folktales» has been issued in memory of the outstanding Russian folklorist and paremiologist Grigori Permjakov.
Научно-художественное издание
Утверждено к печати редколлегией серии «Сказки и мифы народов Востока»
Редактор Т.М.Швецова
Младший редактор И.М.Гриднева
Художник Л.С.Эрман
Художественный редактор Э.Л/Эрман
Технический редактор О.ВАредова
Корректоры Н.Ч.Годунова, И.Г.Ким
Компьютерная верстка ЕЛЛронина
ЛР № 020910 от 02.09.94
Сдано в набор 21.10.97
Подписано к печати 04.12.97
Формат 6Ох901/16. Бумага офсетная. Печать офсетная Усл. п.л. 10,0. Усл. кр. — отт 10,4. Уч. — изд. л. 9,1 Тираж 500 экз. Изд. № 7655
Заказ № 252. «С»—1
Издательская фирма «Восточная литература» РАН 103051, Москва К-51, Цветной бульвар, 21
ООО «Пандора-1»
107143, Москва Б-143, Открытое шоссе, 28