It was surprising how easily I found 26 epics about women for this project. In fact, the more research I did, the more I came across, and the list grew longer. In the end, a few factors decided which ones I added to my A to Z list:
- The epic had to be available in a language I can read (English, Spanish, or Hungarian)
- Accessible in print or digital format
- Possible to get and read before April 2025
- Fit in a place within the alphabet (I did some sleight-of-hand with this one)
With all of that in mind, I also kept a list of epics I found but could not include. I thought it would be great to at least give them a mention here, so people can be aware of their existence. Maybe at a later date, I'll read them too. So, here we go.
Epics with no translation:
This category hurts the most. I found mentions of amazing, incredible women-led epics that sadly have not been translated into English (or Spanish, or Hungarian). Honestly this is my call to the people of the Internet: if you know a translator/publisher who could make it happen, let them know these stories exist!
Umesiben Mama
This is a Manchu epic that I could find no translation for, even though I moved every stone. It tells about a very powerful female shaman, from her birth through her adventures crossing the seas and changing her shape. It is online in Chinese here. There is a lovely partial graphic novel concept of it here. Chinese wiki has more about it here.
Gulaim
I actually blogged about this one for a previous challenge, but I could only find a short partial translation. I would love to read a fuller one. It is a Karakalpak epic about a warrior maiden and her forty companions, fighting against an enemy that invades their homeland.
Banu Goshasp
Banu Goshasp is another warrior maiden, from the Persian epic tradition. She is the daughter of the legendary hero Rustam. She battles her father (accidentally) and also challenges all her suitors, even overpowering her husband on their wedding night. Her story, the Banu Goshasp Nama, was not translated to English as far as I can tell. There is a Rejected Princesses page about her here.
Zhahutai Mama
Another Manchu epic, about a queen mother who helps her son and other conscutive rulers onto the throne. Couldn't find any English reference. It has a Chinese edition, and some info here.
Epics I have read before:
These stories I did not include because I have read them before. For this challenge I wanted to dive into stories that were new for me too.
Seven Wise Princesses
Nizami's long epic with a "story within a story" structure: seven princesses from seven kingdoms gather to marry the famous Bahram Gur. He visits each one of the in turm, each in her own, carefully designed and color-coordinated pavilion. Each princess tells him a story with a message that is symbolized by her color scheme. You can read it in full translation, or a lovely picture book here.
A Miao epic song which is basically a creation story.
Inanna's descent into the Underworld - This one was on my list for a long time before swapped it out. I see it more as a myth, but it could also technically be an epic. Mostly I left it out because I am very familiar with it, and I wanted to read stuff that was new for me too.
Epics I left out for other reasons:
Epic of Siri - This is a Tulu epic about a princess, and it is more than 15,000 lines long. I really wanted to read it, but in the end, I didn't have time to get through it all, so I am saving it for later.
Kundalakesi - It is a Tamil epic which sounded fascinating, but sadly it only survives in fragments.
Song of Kudrun - A 13th century German epic, which also proved to be difficult to find, and too long to fit into my reading schedule. I am saving it for later.
Neelakesi - A Tamil Jain epic poem. It includes rhetorical debates between Buddhism and Jainism. I couldn't get my hands on a full English translation.
Grisandole - The story of this one is very similar to another that will be included
Stories that fall into other genres:
While I defined "epic" pretty liberally, I came across some stories which, after a lot of thinking and hesitation, I did not include based on genre. I am aware that some of these decisions are completely subjective, but here it is.
The Book of the City of Ladies - Written by Christine de Pisan, the book describe famous historical and legendary women and their achievements, to make a case for women's excellence. It is a literary work more so than an epic, but it is fascinating nonetheless.
Little Clay Cart (Mrcchakatika) - this one is technically a Sanskrit drama.
Le Fresne - A lai by Marie de France. It could have technically fit next to the other chivalric romances, to be fair.
Devi Mahatmya - This one is a Hindu philosophical text, rather than an epic, describing the Goddess in her many incarnations. It does contain stories though.
Mulan - Technically, the earliest known version of Mulan's story is a folk song / ballad, not a whole epic.
And of course it goes without saying that I also came across a whole host of epics new to me, which are not mainly about women. I saved those too on another list. Maybe in a few years I'll do a third Epics from A to Z round :)
Before April begins, I have one more post coming up. Stay tuned!
AND NOW, A GAME:
Name an epic with a woman hero, and I'll tell you if it will be featured in April! :)
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment