Myths have always been more than just stories. They are what shape societies and help them understand the world and themselves. Lately, I’ve been obsessed with finding tales from the West African diaspora. Many of these stories have inspired some of the events and characters in my upcoming YA Fantasy novel, Songs of Aryam. Through the novel, I aim to honor and reimagine these captivating tales.
Caribbean Folklore
I’ve drawn much of my inspiration from the Caribbean, including legends like Mami Wata, Papa Bois, and the douen. Mami Wata is a powerful water spirit in West African and African diaspora folklore, often depicted as a mermaid or a woman with a serpent’s lower body. She’s known for her beauty and is often associated with prosperity and danger. Natasha Bowen’s Skin of the Sea follows the adventures of a Mami Wata who serves the gods.
Papa Bois is revered as the protector of wildlife and the forests, often portrayed as an elder half man, half goat. The douen are known for their childlike appearance. They’re typically depicted without eyes and noses, wearing conical hats, and with backwards-facing feet, and are said to lure children into the forest, never to be seen again.
African American Folklore
I’ll be honest. When I started researching for this book, I did not know much about African American Folklore. If anything, I thought most of our stories had gotten lost in the transatlantic slave trade, but I looked into it and found that many stories survived. Some transformed. Some were created new. I may have never learned about them in school, but they exist. One of the stories serves as the dominant myth in Songs of Aryam, but with a major twist. You can read my reimagined version of the “The Beautiful Girl of the Moon Tower” now by joining my email newsletter.
Invented Myths
Of course, I wanted to add in some of my own creativity by writing myths of my own. One of my favorite legends is the legend of Bogma, an elderly woman whose house appears to children who are lost in the bog. Bogma takes the children in, feeds them, and sends them on their way; but if she finds any of the children to be lacking in manners, there are grave consequences. Learn more about Bogma here.
Songs of Aryam is both a celebration of rich, often underrepresented folklore and a journey into something new. Join me in celebrating these stories by subscribing to my newsletter. You’ll get exclusive peeks into Aryam’s world and be the first to know to receive publishing updates.