Fantasy Worlds: When most people think of fantasy, what usually comes to mind? Castles nestled in misty highlands, sword-wielding knights, dragons perched atop stone towers, and elves speaking archaic languages. These tropes have dominated fantasy for decades, and they almost always trace back to European folklore, especially the mythologies of Norse, Celtic, and Arthurian traditions. But the literary tide is turning.
In recent years, authors across the globe have begun weaving fantasy worlds that draw richly from non-European cultures—Asian, African, Indigenous, Middle Eastern, Caribbean, Pacific Islander, and Latin American traditions. The result? An exciting, diverse genre teeming with fresh mythologies, vibrant aesthetics, unique magic systems, and untold stories.
This shift is more than just an aesthetic change. It’s a reimagining of what fantasy can be when the world’s overlooked legends, landscapes, and languages are allowed to lead.
Let’s dive into this exciting evolution of fantasy literature—exploring the who, the what, and the why behind the rise of global fantasy worlds.
Breaking the Mold: Why Fantasy Needed a Change
For a long time, mainstream fantasy was dominated by Eurocentric stories. Think J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, or George R.R. Martin—brilliant authors, but deeply rooted in Western frameworks. These stories, while iconic, often repeated similar structures: medieval feudalism, white heroes, Christian allegories, and familiar creatures like goblins and orcs.
But fantasy, at its heart, is about imagination—so why limit it?
Readers and writers from non-European backgrounds began to ask, where are our gods, our demons, our epic landscapes? What if, instead of snowy forests and stone castles, fantasy took place in tropical jungles, scorching deserts, bustling markets, or ancestral plains?
African-Inspired Fantasy: The Rise of Magical Kingdoms and Ancestral Spirits
Nnedi Okorafor—The African Futurism Vanguard
Nnedi Okorafor, the Nigerian-American author behind Who Fears Death and The Binti Trilogy, has pioneered a genre she calls Africanfuturism. Her works blend African spirituality, post-apocalyptic themes, and cultural customs with fantastical elements like shape-shifting, ancestral magic, and desert sorcery.
In Who Fears Death, she imagines a post-nuclear Africa where a young girl discovers her ability to rewrite reality—grounded in African folklore, not European witchcraft.
Tomi Adeyemi—Children of Blood and Bone
Inspired by Yoruba mythology and West African traditions, Adeyemi’s novel introduced millions of young readers to a fantasy world rooted in African culture. The story follows a girl trying to bring magic back to her oppressed people, filled with Orisha gods, magical combat, and a richly imagined society.
Magic Systems Based on Ancestry and Nature
African-inspired fantasy often diverges from Eurocentric wands and spells. Instead, magic is channeled through drumming, dance, tattoos, ancestor worship, or natural elements like fire, water, and air.
Asian-Influenced Fantasy: Wuxia, Kami, and Epic Dynasties
Fonda Lee—The Green Bone Saga
This modern fantasy-crime series takes inspiration from East Asian martial arts, honor systems, and dynastic politics. The result is “The Godfather meets Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.” Instead of magic potions, warriors gain power through jade—a mineral linked to enhanced physical abilities.
R.F. Kuang—The Poppy War
Drawing heavily from Chinese history, Kuang creates a dark, gritty fantasy inspired by the Second Sino-Japanese War and the mythology of shamanic gods. Her main character communes with a chaotic god of fire, exploring how divine power corrupts and heals.
Japanese Folklore and Spiritual Creatures
From yōkai (spirits) to kami (deities of Shinto), Japanese folklore offers a treasure trove of fantasy material. Books and anime like Spirited Away or Shadow of the Fox blend fox demons, haunted forests, and moral ambiguity, creating rich and layered fantasy landscapes.
Indigenous-Inspired Fantasy: The Sacred and the Cosmic
Rebecca Roanhorse—Black Sun and Beyond
A member of the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo tribe, Roanhorse’s Between Earth and Sky series is set in a pre-Columbian-inspired fantasy world. Her city-states, deities, and priesthoods are based on ancient American civilizations like the Maya, Inca, and Puebloan cultures.
Her characters ride giant crows, worship celestial gods, and navigate political systems deeply tied to ritual and prophecy.
Centering Land, Spirits, and Storytelling
Indigenous fantasy often prioritizes place—not just as a setting, but as a living entity. Mountains, rivers, and animals often carry spiritual significance. Instead of building kingdoms, many Indigenous-inspired worlds are about relational networks—between humans, animals, the land, and the cosmos.
Middle Eastern and North African Fantasy: Djinn, Desert Cities, and Golden Lore
S.A. Chakraborty—The Daevabad Trilogy
Imagine ancient Baghdad meets Game of Thrones. Chakraborty’s series explores the world of djinn (genies), magical courts, and forbidden magic, all set in a desert empire teeming with intrigue. Drawing from Islamic folklore, the books are layered with themes of class, colonialism, and religious tension.
Myths Beyond Aladdin
Middle Eastern fantasy is often reduced in pop culture to “Aladdin” stereotypes—flying carpets, wish-granting genies, and magic lamps. But real Middle Eastern folklore offers so much more: evil eyes, ghuls, sin-eating rituals, and epic Persian poems like the Shahnameh.
Authors like Chakraborty, Hafsah Faizal (We Hunt the Flame), and Chelsea Abdullah (The Stardust Thief) are reclaiming and expanding this legacy.
South and Southeast Asian Fantasy: Sacred Texts and Multi-World Realms
Tasha Suri—The Books of Ambha and The Burning Kingdoms
Inspired by Mughal India, Suri’s worlds mix royal courts, political betrayal, and ancient magic. Her female protagonists often confront the restrictive roles imposed on them, channeling rage into divine power.
Hindu and Buddhist Cosmology in Fantasy
These traditions offer a multi-layered cosmology—deities with multiple avatars, karmic loops, sacred mantras, and world cycles. Instead of heaven/hell binaries, authors explore reincarnation, dharma, and cosmic balance.
Books like The Devourers by Indra Das or The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi explore shapeshifters, celestial beings, and divine rebirths with rich philosophical undertones.
Latin American Fantasy: Jungle Spirits and Revolutionary Magic
Silvia Moreno-Garcia—Gods of Jade and Shadow
This novel blends Mayan mythology with a Jazz Age road trip, following a young girl who accidentally resurrects the Mayan god of death. As they journey together, readers explore the underworld, celestial cycles, and the blurred line between life and myth.
Mythic Resistance and Colonial Hauntings
Much of Latinx fantasy deals with colonization, syncretic religions (blending Catholic and Indigenous beliefs), and ancestral memory. From magical realism to full-on high fantasy, these stories often feature haunted haciendas, jungle spirits, or revolutionary priestesses.
Caribbean and Pacific Islander Fantasy: Ocean Gods and Island Lore
Daniel José Older and Caribbean Urban Fantasy
Older’s Shadowshaper series features a Latina teen artist who discovers she can shape magic through murals—drawing from Caribbean spiritual traditions like Santería and Espiritismo. The fantasy is urban, ancestral, and bursting with community flavor.
Many Pacific cultures have rich oceanic myths—stories of sky gods, shark spirits, and star navigators. While underrepresented in literature, authors are beginning to explore these themes with care and reverence. Future voices in this space will no doubt reshape how fantasy engages with oceanic cosmologies.
Common Themes in Non-European Fantasy Worlds
Despite their differences, fantasy worlds inspired by non-European cultures often share certain themes:
The Power of Ancestors
Instead of isolated heroes, these stories often feature ancestral spirits, family legacy, and collective memory as sources of strength.
The Sacredness of Nature
Nature is not just a setting—it’s a living force. Rivers have spirits, trees remember, and the sun may be a deity.
Colonial Resistance
Many of these fantasy worlds explore the impact of colonialism—whether through literal invasions, cultural erasure, or resistance movements with magical twists.
Multiplicity over Monotheism
Unlike Western fantasy that often has a “god” vs. “evil” binary, many non-European cultures celebrate pantheons, dualities, and ambiguity. Deities can be kind and cruel; creation can come from destruction.
In Conclusion, We’re living in a golden age of fantasy—one where the maps aren’t just of Westeros or Middle Earth, but of magical Ethiopia, futuristic Manila, underwater Polynesian kingdoms, and sand-drenched Arabian empires. By drawing on non-European cultures, authors are reshaping the genre to be broader, deeper, and more inclusive.
Fantasy no longer belongs to one tradition. It belongs to everyone.
And the more voices we welcome into this imaginative space, the more colorful, powerful, and true our stories become.
FAQs About Fantasy Worlds
1. Why is it important to read fantasy from non-European traditions?
It broadens our worldview, introduces underrepresented mythologies, and diversifies the genre. Plus, it’s just more exciting!
While many are own-voices stories, some authors respectfully research and collaborate with cultural experts. Authenticity is key.
3. Is this the same as historical fiction?
Not exactly. While some books use historical settings, others are purely fantastical but inspired by real cultural elements.
4. Are there fantasy books written in non-European languages being translated?
Yes! More and more publishers are translating African, Asian, and Latin American fantasy works. It’s an exciting time for global literature.
5. How can I start exploring these stories?
Look up book lists featuring non-European fantasy, follow diverse authors on social media, or ask your local bookstore for recommendations. Start with one—soon, you’ll be hooked.
