Illustrations

Introduction

The Tapestry of Languages in Translation

Selected Bibliography

AND ALL THE TOWNS BETWEEN

How Stories Came to Be: three views

Origins of Myths, Alphonse Raharison

Tapasiry: Tales from the South, Aurelien de Moussa Behavira

The Oral Tradition, Ernest Rakotosalama

UNDER SOUTHERN SKIES: MEMOIRS OF TOLIARA

Papango Fito Loha: Seven-headed Hawk

Just Head

Babaky: Squash Boy

TRAFFIC IN SALT COUNTRY

The Three Brothers

Two Girls and the Old Woman

Rafaravavy and Randrianoro

SPIRITS OF WATER, SPIRITS OF LAKES

The Legend of Tritriva

Rafara: Girl of the Waters

ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS

Raharinora and Randriantsara

Faralahy Mahery: Strong Youngest Son

Ravolamamba and Tsaramiamby

PEOPLE OF THE HIGHLANDS; PEOPLE OF THE LONG VALLEYS; PEOPLE OF THE THORNS

It Was There But Goes By Quickly (hiragasy)

Moonlight poem by Mme. Madeline

Water: The Source of Life poem by Mme. Madeline

The Way to Say Farewell poem by M. Ernest

Each Day Now Breaks poem by M. Rado

Afrika! poem by M. Rado

Maliciousness poem by M. Rado

Nostalgia poem by M. Rado

TURNING THE BONES

Andriananahary (Zanahary) sy Andriantompo: The Lord Who Creates and the Lord Who Owns

THE LIGHT STILL SHINES TOMORROW

The Rite of Bathing the King

Jadan'Ikoto

Jaotombo, The Fisherman

ONLY THE SEA BEYOND

Betombokoantsoro: The Monster

Index

Gifted travel writer, poet, professor of English, and insightful observer of human nature, Colleen McElroy journeyed to Madagascar to undertake a Fulbright research project exploring Malagasy oral traditions and myths. In Over the Lip of the World she depicts with equal verve the various storytelling traditions of the island and her own adventures in trying to find and record them.

McElroy's tale of an African American woman's travels among the people of Madagascar is told with wit, insight, and humor. Throughout it she interweaves English translations of Malagasy stories of heroism and morality, royalty and commoners, love and revenge, and the magic of tricksters and shapechangers.