This is the third collection produced by members of a six-year research project, funded by the NUFU (Norwegian Programme for Development, Research, and Education), whose concern was to find, preserve, and analyse ‘orature’ – spoken forms of all kinds, both their unique qualities and their equivalence in importance to ‘literature’. A major focus was the ways in which forms of orature can be made relevant to the demands of rapidly developing nations faced with insistent problems (HIV/AIDS, administrative needs, shifts in social and familial structure, the changing roles of women). Both innovative and archival, the essays explore older legends and modern performances to outline their positive and dynamic contribution to a protean society. Some contributors address the ways in which traditional forms may be adapted: e.g., via new media to combat the HIV/AIDS pandemic and to educate children in social and individual responsibility. Traditional narratives and children’s songs can function to counter cannibalism and child sacrifice. Less dark aspects of contemporary society also receive attention. Traditional patterns of leadership are adapted to today’s conditions, especially by offering women models in the form of earlier figures and their actions. Two essays analyse the use of proverbs in the speeches of political candidates and discussing traditional music festivals as celebrations of traditional kingship and rule. Others examine the nature and operation of specific forms of orature – riddles and their subtle alteration according to performer and audience; concepts of heroism; stories of origin; and variants of ‘Little Red Riding Hood’. These sensitive analyses are framed by pieces from members of the research project in Norway and Uganda. Dominica Dipio is Associate Professor in the Department of Literature, Makerere University and coordinator in the south of the NUFU research project. Stuart Sillars is Professor of English Literature in the Department of Foreign Languages, University of Bergen, and coordinator in the north of the research project.

Originally published in 1974, studies of cultural influences on cognition, carried out from a variety of theoretical and methodological stances, were collected for the first time in this volume. The editors placed particular emphasis on selecting material by authors from many countries who had been working with people from a wide range of cultures. In a general introduction they provide an historical overview of the major issues, and draw together the most recent attempts to bring methodological sophistication to this difficult area of enquiry. Suggestions for future research on basic problems are to be found in an epilogue, along with a consideration of some possible applications of these studies to problems of education and social change. A comprehensive bibliography with over 600 entries is included in the volume.

James Winchester brings the western philosophical tradition into dialog with contemporary African-American thinkers in an attempt to bridge (or at least understand) the culture gap in aesthetic judgments. Visit our website for sample chapters!

The author presents a journey through African and Western history, culture and politics. By essaying Africa's international relations, Mazrui returns to an important truth: the power of race and culture in Africa's relations with the West. Discussing African political formation, his overriding theme, not unpredictably, is assimilation - of the enti