Folktales of Joha Jewish Trickster

<p> </p><p>Joha has Janus’s double face: On the one hand he is innocent and stupid; on the other a trickster. He is a cheater and is cheated. He sets traps for others and falls into traps himself; he is simpleton and liar victimizer and victim. But as a literary figure he never dies. The nearly 300 stories in this lovely volume are from Sephardic oral literature and ethnic culture. They were told to Matilda Koen-Sarano in their original language Judeo-Spanish (Ladino) and documented over 21 years. From 17 countries including the United States they come together in this first-ever collection of Joha stories to appear in English. Known in some places as Ladino Judeo-Spanish is a living remnant of the Spanish spoken by the Spanish Jews at the end of the 15th century. Matilda Koen-Sarano born to a Sephardic family has devoted her life to the conservation and revitalization of this language culture and heritage. Joha according to Ladino tradition is a popular folklore character one who is conniving yet also beguiling. He plays many roles: He makes us laugh; liberates us from taboos; makes it possible to tell the whole sometimes painful truth in a humorous way; and helps us triumph over our enemies through laughter. These stories have entertained generations of Sephardic children and adults and will delight readers of any age.</p>