The electronic PDF book on African divination is a comprehensive guide to the rich and vibrant tradition of divination practices found in various African cultures. This book offers a detailed exploration of the beliefs, rituals, and tools used in African divination, providing readers with a deeper understanding of this ancient and spiritual practice. One of the main themes of the book is the diversity of African divination methods, which vary from region to region and even within different communities. The book highlights the unique approaches to divination used by various African ethnic groups, showcasing how each culture has developed its own set of practices and beliefs surrounding divination. The book also delves into the significance of divination in African society, revealing how it has long been regarded as a powerful tool for guidance, insight, and healing. Divination is considered a way to communicate with the spiritual realm and seek answers to life's questions and challenges.
This unique collection of essays by an exceptional international group of Africanists demonstrates the central role that divination continues to play throughout Africa in maintaining cultural systems and in guiding human action. African Divination Systems offers insights for current discussions in comparative epistemology, cross-cultural psychology, cognition studies, semiotics, ethnoscience, religious studies, and anthropology.
This unique collection of essays by an exceptional international group of Africanists demonstrates the central role that divination continues to play throughout Africa in maintaining cultural systems and in guiding human action. Although all of the essays provide rich ethnographic data, the essays in the fourth and fifth section are the most interesting from a theoretical perspective.
Divination is considered a way to communicate with the spiritual realm and seek answers to life's questions and challenges. As such, it holds tremendous importance in African culture and is often performed by specialized diviners or spiritual leaders. Throughout the electronic PDF book, there are in-depth discussions on the different types of divination methods utilized in African traditions.
African Divination Systems
"This volume of finely crafted case studies is also the vehicle for an important general theory of divination. . . . this is a book overflowing with ideas that will powerfully stimulate further research." —Journal of Ritual Studies
"The essays in this collection provide a very useful overview of both the diversity of African divination systems and of recent approaches to their study." —Choice
This unique collection of essays by an exceptional international group of Africanists demonstrates the central role that divination continues to play throughout Africa in maintaining cultural systems and in guiding human action. African Divination Systems offers insights for current discussions in comparative epistemology, cross-cultural psychology, cognition studies, semiotics, ethnoscience, religious studies, and anthropology.
Introduction
The Study of Divination, Present and Past
Philip M. Peek
Part One. Becoming a Diviner
The Initiation of a Zulu Diviner
Henry Callaway
Part Two. The Search for Knowledge
Nilotic Cosmology and the Divination of Atuot Philosophy
John W. Burton
Divination in Madagascar: The Antemoro Case and the
Diffusion of Divination
Pierre Verin and Narivelo Rajaonarimanana
Part Three. Cultural Systems within Divination Systems
Diviners as Alienists and Annunciators among the Batammaliba
of Togo
Rudolph Blier
Divination Among the Lobi of Burkina Faso
Piet Meyer
Divination and the Hunt in Pagibeti Ideology
Alden Almquist
Mediumistic Divination among the Northern Yaka of Zaire:
Etiology and Ways of Knowing
Rene Devisch
Part Four. Divination, Epistemology, and Truth
Splitting Truths from Darkness: Epistemological Aspects of
Temne Divination
Rosalind Shaw
Knowledge and Power in Nyole Divination
Susan Reynolds Whyte
Simultaneity and Sequencing in the Oracular Speech of
Kenyan Diviners
David Parkin
Part Five. Toward a New Approach to Divination
African Divination Systems: Non-Normal Modes of Cognition
Philip M. Peek
Afterword
James W. Fernandez
Contributors
Index
"The essays in this collection provide a very useful overview of both the diversity of African divination systems and of recent approaches to their study. The introduction critically reviews the preoccupations of earlier students of African divination. The essays that follow are divided into five sections that explore, in turn, the identity of the diviner; comparative and historical issues; the central role of divination in the articulation of cultural ideas, norms, and values within society; the making of knowledge through the divinatory process; and the integration of normal and nonnormal ways of knowing within the divination process. Although all of the essays provide rich ethnographic data, the essays in the fourth and fifth section are the most interesting from a theoretical perspective. They provide the clearest critique of previous positivist approaches to divination, which focus on the outcomes of the divinatory process while failing to appreciate the meanings and truths that inhere to, and are articulated by, the process itself. Of particular interest are the facinating articles by Rosalind Shaw and Philip Peek. Highly recommended for advanced undergraduates.December 1991"
~R. M. Packard, Tufts University
"The essays in this collection provide a very useful overview of both the diversity of African divination systems and of recent approaches to their study." —Choice
These include techniques such as throwing bones, interpreting dreams, reading patterns in natural elements like shells or rocks, and using specific symbols or objects for divination purposes. Each technique is explained in detail, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of its origins, significance, and practice. Moreover, the role of divination in African communities is also explored, highlighting its application in various aspects of life, from personal matters to community-wide decision-making processes. Divination is seen as a tool for problem-solving and conflict resolution, as well as a means to connect with ancestors and seek their guidance and wisdom. Overall, the electronic PDF book on African divination serves as a valuable resource for anyone interested in exploring the diverse and fascinating world of African spiritual practices. It not only sheds light on the intricacies of divination methods but also offers insights into the cultural and social contexts in which they are embedded. This book helps to foster a greater appreciation and understanding of African divination, highlighting its significance as a spiritual tradition that continues to thrive in many African communities today..
Reviews for "African Divination and the Philosophy of Time: Exploring Temporality in Oracular Systems"
1. Name: Jane - Rating: 2 stars
The electronic pdf book on African divination was a disappointment for me. The content lacked depth and was at times confusing. The explanations of different divination methods were not clear and left me with more questions than answers. Additionally, the formatting of the book was poor, making it difficult to navigate through the chapters. Overall, I felt that this book did not provide a comprehensive understanding of African divination and I would not recommend it.
2. Name: Alex - Rating: 1 star
I found the electronic pdf book on African divination to be extremely frustrating and uninformative. The language used was overly technical and filled with jargon that was difficult to understand. The lack of visual aids or diagrams made it even harder to grasp the concepts being discussed. Furthermore, the book seemed to be disjointed and lacked a coherent structure. It felt like a collection of random thoughts and ideas rather than a well-researched and organized book. I would not recommend wasting your time on this book if you are looking to learn about African divination.
3. Name: Mark - Rating: 2 stars
I had high hopes for the electronic pdf book on African divination, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. While it did provide some interesting information about the history and cultural significance of African divination, the overall presentation was lackluster. The writing style was dry and did not engage me as a reader. Additionally, the book lacked practical examples or case studies, which would have helped to bring the concepts to life. Overall, I found this book to be underwhelming and would not recommend it to others looking to learn about African divination.