TREASURY OF FOLKLORE: SEAS & RIVERS
An enjoyable dive into the depths of watery folklore
Author Dee Dee Chainey & Willow Winsham Publisher Batsford Price £12.99 Released Out Now
For thousands of years, stories and traditions associated with water have been gathered and repeated by numerous societies and cultures, each with its own version to tell. As a result, the mysteries of the seas, oceans and rivers around the world have continued to fascinate us for generations.
In Treasury Of Folklore: Seas & Rivers, archaeologist Dee
Dee Chainey and historian
Willow Winsham – founders of #Folklorethursday, a popular website and Twitter account – bring together the captivating tales of the oceans from across the globe. They explore various areas of watery folklore, from mermaids, selkies and sirens to ghost ships, lost cities and the monsters who lurk in the depths.
The book is divided into two parts, with the first dedicated to stories about the oceans and the second focusing on those regarding rivers and lakes. Overall, there is a diverse range of folklore collected from different continents.
There are a few tales and figures that may already be known to many readers, for example The Little Mermaid, Maui the trickster demi-god, the monstrous Kraken and the Flying Dutchman. But there are also plenty of stories that are likely to be new to those who are not necessarily familiar with watery folklore.
While the authors explore some of the tales and traditions in-depth, others are treated with just an overview and might leave you wishing for more. At most, each one is just a few pages long and there are a couple of list features, ‘Top Tales from the Seven Seas’ and ‘The Top Five River Spirits from Around the World’, which are both fun and quick to read. It would also be remiss not to mention the woodcut drawings that beautifully illustrate many of the enchanting stories.
It is obvious that Chainey and Winsham have taken great care in putting together this collection of folklore, while also examining how the stories are perceived and retold today. In their authors’ note, the pair explain how they have tried to use sources from the culture where each tale or tradition originates as a mark of respect.
In particular, they highlight the issue of cultural appropriation, and throughout the book they take the time to address the stories that have been appropriated and the damage that has stemmed from this. This is not an easy task and so it’s worth acknowledging, because these tales play a crucial role in the cultural heritage of different societies.
Aside from this, Treasury Of Folklore: Seas & Rivers is a thoughtprovoking read, emphasising the similarities between different societies and cultures. Despite hailing from all corners of the globe, the tales featured in this book all explore common themes such as fear, hope, love and dreams.
As humans – no matter where we live or where we come from – we are all connected through these watery tales and traditions that give us a sense of belonging and resonate with us all. Without a doubt, this book is a must-read for anybody who wants to take the plunge into the world of watery folklore.