Africana

Africana THE AFRICAN A SAGA--Blaise Cendrars--Payson & Clarke ($5). American Negro music, African sculpture have been elevated in the not distant past to positions of considerable dignity. The music, once regarded as inconsequential if not less, is now found to contain certain definitely worthwhile qualities; the sculpture is not simply a collection of hideous absurdities but rather a notable form of art. What, then, of Negro literature and folklore? Translator Margery Bianco gives to us in The African Saga, from L'Anthologie Negre of Blaise Cendrars, roving student and compiler, a comprehensive reply to this question. Legends, stories, fables from the myriad families and tongues of Africa have been gathered together and afford ample evidence that the Negro has long enjoyed a charming culture of sorts.