African Diaspora (outside U.S.) - General & Miscellaneous, African American Art, Fortune Telling & Divination, General & Miscellaneous African Art
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Overview
"Focusing on the role of artistry in African divination rituals, this book's fifteen essays by leading scholars reveal the similarities and differences in the practices of a wide range of sub-Saharan cultures. While suggesting that a shared tradition underlies the religious and artistic expressions of the Yoruba, Luba, Chokwe, Yaka, Pende, Punu, Guro, and other peoples of the region, the contributors also document variation in words, sounds, and gestures as well as in the ritual artifacts themselves - not only from one divination system to another but also within individual communities."--BOOK JACKET.Editorials
Booknews
This volume, which grew from a 1996 symposium at Amherst College in Massachusetts, focuses on the rituals and associated objects of divination in central and western Africa, with consideration of three over-riding themes: the study of the rituals themselves; the nature and use of the objects, both as instruments and works of art; and methodological issues of cross-cultural inquiry. The 14 well- illustrated essays are by curators and professors of African art, and professors of anthropology, philosophy, and ethnic studies. The editor is professor of religious studies at Amherst. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)Book Details
Published
December 1, 2000
Publisher
Smithsonian Books
Pages
209
Format
Hardcover
ISBN
9781560988595