Joseph Mbele

Joseph Mbele is a Professor of English at St. Olaf College, specializing in African and African Diaspora literatures. He earned his Ph.D. in African Languages and Literature from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1986) after graduating from the University of Dar es Salaam (1976). His academic focus includes post-colonial and third-world literature, folklore studies, and cultural sociology.

Research Interests: Dr. Mbele's work centers on folklore analysis, particularly tales of tricksters and epic heroes. His fieldwork spans Kenya, Tanzania, and the USA, with lectures delivered across six continents. He also bridges cultural differences through publications like Matengo Folktales (featured on Jeopardy, 2017) and two cultural consultation books.

Academic Contributions: Teaching highlights include Swahili Literature, The Epic, and African-American Literature courses. His scholarly output combines literary theory with practical cultural navigation tools for cross-continental audiences.