From Adugo to Zomo, from the funny to the frightening, the most complete collection of clowns and tricksters ever assembled is packed between the covers of this comprehensive volume. In more than 200 fully cross referenced and indexed entries, Clowns and Tricksters brings these humorous, powerful, greedy, obscene, scary selfish-and sometimes helpful-creatures to life. Describing these colorful figures by popular name, appearance and origins, Clowns and Tricksters examines their relationships to their cultures of origin and recounts tales featuring them, while numerous illustrations bring the ragtag assembly to life. This book is an essential aid for students, scholars, authors and anthropologists-anyone who wants a clearer understanding of how humans use clowns and tricksters to explain who they are and why they do what they do. By revealing an imagined world just on the edge of our own, where creatures very much like us strive and connive and behave and misbehave, Clowns and Tricksters provides a good starting point for anyone who is interested in how we use stories to explain our world.

ENTRY LIST BY CULTURE AREA. AFRICA: CENTRAL AFRICA: Azande-Ture, Bemba-Kalulu, Bbaya-Wanto, Hausa-Dila, Gizo, Zomo, Ila-Fulwe, Sulwe, Lamba-Wakalulu, Ngbaka-To, EAST AFRICA: Kaguru-Chibuga, Difisi, Fisi, Sungula, WEST AFRICA: Akan-Ananse, Anansesem, Nyame, Bo-Kaka, Dogon-Ogo, Ewe-Yiyi, Fon-Heho, Hwenho, Legba, Yo, Ga-Anaau, Hausa-Dila, Gizo, Zomo, Kalabari-Ikaki, Limba-Kayi, Wosi, Songhay-Hauka, Yoruba-Ajapa, Eshu-Elegba, Ijapa. ASIA AND SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRIES AND ISLANDS: CHINA: chʼou, Wuʼsata, INDONESIA-Torajan, Dodong, Malayo-Kantjil, Java-Panakawan, Semar, Japan-Kitsune, Susa-no-o, Korea-chʼangbu, Horangi, LAOS: Kammu-Naar, Plaan Thooy, Puu Raankla, PAPUA NEW GUINEA:Bimin-Kuskusim-Gabruurian, Kamdaak Waneng, Utuum-khriin min, Lusi-Kaliai-Sega, Mekeo-Ipani, Melanesia-Lelegurulik, Tansa, Tubetube-Talawasi, Umeda-Yaut, Wape-Niyel Carnival, THAILAND: Sri Thanoncha, Sug, TIBET: Aug Tomba, EUROPE AND ARABIC COUNTRIES: AFGHANISTAN-Mullah Nasruddin, ARABIC COUNTRIES: Juha, Khadir, Khezr, ENGLAND: Gleemen, Scogan, EUROPE: fool, Harlequin, jester, Pulcinello, Reynard, Saint Peter, GREECE: Hermes, IRAN: Mullah Nasruddin, IRELAND: Bricriu, crosan, ITALY: Bertholde, SCANDINAVIA: Loki, TURKEY: Nasreddin Khoja, INDIA: Brhannada, Bribal, Gopal, Drishna, Vidusaka, Vishnu, TAMIL NADU: Tenali Rama, Komali, NORTH AMERICA: ALASKA: Tanaina-Guguyni (raven), Tlingit-Yetl, CANADA: Algonquian-Glooskap, Nanabozhoo, Windigo, Cree-Wesucechak, Haida-Nankilslas, Salish-Kaik, Sinkalip, Tlingit-Yetl, Tsimshian-Txamsem.

MEXICO: Yaqui-Chapayeka, Pascola, NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES: Abenaki-Azeban, Alginquian-Glooskap, Nanabozhoo, Windigo, Iroquois-Hagondes, Seneca-Ganyadjigowa, NORTHWESTERN UNITED STATES: Crow-Isaahkawuattee, Haida-Nankilslas, Nootka-Kwatyat, Tsimshian-Txamsem, PLAINS REGION: Kiowa-Sendeh, Lakota-Heyoka, Iktomi, Mica, SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES: Seneca-Shodieonskon, SOUTHWESTERN UNITED STATES: Havasupi-Gidji, Hopi-Paiyakyamu, Piptuyakamu, Tachukti, Tsukuwimkya, Navajo-Maʼii, To Ninilii, Yenaldlooshi, Oʼodam-Nanawitcu, Tewa-Koshare, Kossa, Lwirena, ute-Yogovu, Yaqui-Chapayeka, Pascola, Zuni-Koyemshi, Newekwe, UNITED STATES: Brer Anancy, Brer Rabbit, Bugs Bunny, circus clown, Huckleberry Finn, The Joker, Kesey, Ken, and the Merry Pranksters, Roadrunner, Bart Simpson, Wile. E. Coyote, SOUTH AMERICA: ARGENTINA: Mataco-Tokwaj, Mocovi-Nowarera, Tatu Bolita, Toba-Chunga, Keyok, Wayayqalachiyi, Wuaiagalachigui, BOLIVIA: Ayoreo-Dahusui, BRAZIL, Bororo-Juko, Meri, Caduveo-Caracara, Gu-e-krig, Ge-Mbudti, Mbuduvrire, Kalapao-Aulukuma, Nafigi, Taugi, COLOMBIA: Guajiro-Atʼpana, Sikuani-Kuwei, Matsuludani, Palu, Purna, PARAGUAY: Ayoreo-Dahusui, Chamacoco-Kumarxuo, Nivakle-Cufalh, Kakxo, Venezuela Guajiro-Atʼpana, Makiritare-Odosha, Warao-Konehu, SOUTH PACIFIC ISLANDS: HAWAII: Fai Fale Aitu, Iwa, Kai-palaoa, Kamapuaa, Maui, Punia, NEW ZEALAND: Maui, PHILIPPINES: Pilandok, ROTUMA: Han mane ʼak su, SAMOA: Fai Fale Aitu, Maui, TAHITI: Arioi Society, Maui.

Also includes The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, African American culture, androgyny, antelope, armadillos, Batman, bears, beavers, bees, birds, buffalo, bush pigs, butterflies, coyotes, creators, deer, divination, dogs, Easter, elephants, fish fools, foxes, giants, gluttony, grasshoppers, greed, grizzly bears, hyenas, insects, Islam, jackal, jaguars, jesters, Jesus, Krishna, leopards, lions, mink, moles, monkeys, moon, moose, mouse-deer (kantjil), Niyel carnival, Odin, Ojibwa, Orisha, partridges, pigs, pigeon, pythons, rabbits and hares, raccoons, ravens, sex and sexuality, shape-shifters, sharks, Siva, skunks, snakes, spiders, squirrel, Sun, theft, Thor, thunderbirds, ticks, tigers, toads, tortoises, Vidusaka, Vishnu, vultures, wildcats, wolves, etc.