Post by Stephen on Jan 24, 2005 10:53:53 GMT -5
Book Review:
The Way of the Elders
West African Spirituality & Tradition
ISBN 0-7387-0626-4
By Adama & Naomi Doumabia Ph.D.
With excited anticipation I looked forward to further insight into traditional West African knowledge. Adama’s experience growing up in villages of Senegal and Mali offered promise; Naomi Dounbia’s Ph.D. in world philosophies and religions would offer perspective. Reading that Naomi was born and raised in America caused concern if this would be a limitation.
In the introduction the idea that ancestral African knowledge from traditional religion is integrated into Christianity and Islam is introduced. It is noted, “colonization and globalization have left their impact on every facet of the culture.” The authors accept that they “do not attempt to offer pure versions of the ancient sacred teachings” but rather “attempt to record some of the prevalent existing spiritual belief and practices.” While this approach may accurately portray contemporary African religion as it is practiced it may in doing so miss essential elements that could be uncovered through contact with traditional elders who continue to live and share their direct traditional experience. While the text is instructive, a direct experience seems to be missing. The author’s knowledge appears limited to what may be generally known amongst contemporary adherents to the traditional religion and scholars. There remains a task to seek out and disseminate a deeper understanding of traditional African knowledge.
With the observation, “the most popular kind of sacrifice we make in our communities is the slaying of an animal” the author writes, “animal sacrifice has also been an integral component of Judaism, Islam and Christianity. The book notes explain that terms such as “sorcerer” and “witch doctor” have been replaced with the word “shaman” as the former titles have “been viewed in a derogatory manner.” The term “shaman” comes from outside African culture. Appeasing public prejudice may not be in the best interest of describing traditional African religion. Accepting what is without blending in with different traditions may better serve to preserve traditional Africa’s knowledge.
The introduction refers to Africa as “the birthplace of humanity.” Though not a new idea the statement seems debateable. As an overview the book serves very well introducing many aspects of traditional African customs. We are told “our healers are most knowledgeable about plant and animals, providing us with our herbal remedies and charm ingredients.” There seems a lot more to be told. The title of the book led me to have greater expectations of the content. I look forward to a more profound treatment of the subject. For this I believe we will need to go directly to the source – the traditional elders themselves.
While the book brushes many aspects of traditional culture it is void of descriptive passages of village life. While reading I had a yearning to smell the bark, to find myself descriptively situated in village activity. This absence may foretell the future. If traditional knowledge is to survive it may well have to continue outside of village existence as the villages themselves are dying as a means of transmission of all that is sacred.
Today the boundaries of some cities extend to the next city. Corporations control feeding huge populations. Connection to survival depends on market economies. Living becomes an abstraction disconnected from natural sources. The care and nurturing of traditional knowledge may be a delicate thread required to save contemporary society from its own extinction.
Reviewed Jan. 24, 2005 by:
Stephen Conroy, Producer/Publisher
Yaya Diallo’s Traditional & Contemporary West African Music
Onzou Records, www.onzou.com
Recommended reading by Yaya Diallo:
-The Healing Drum: African Wisdom Teachings
ISBN 0-89281-256-7
-At the Threshold of the African Soul: The Fulani-Minianka Way
Published by the Intercultural Institute of Montreal
Tel: 514-288-7229 Fax: 514-844-6800 Email: info@iim.qc.ca
Yaya Diallo, musician, author and Malian elder dedicates his life work to sharing his cultural heritage.
The Way of the Elders
West African Spirituality & Tradition
ISBN 0-7387-0626-4
By Adama & Naomi Doumabia Ph.D.
With excited anticipation I looked forward to further insight into traditional West African knowledge. Adama’s experience growing up in villages of Senegal and Mali offered promise; Naomi Dounbia’s Ph.D. in world philosophies and religions would offer perspective. Reading that Naomi was born and raised in America caused concern if this would be a limitation.
In the introduction the idea that ancestral African knowledge from traditional religion is integrated into Christianity and Islam is introduced. It is noted, “colonization and globalization have left their impact on every facet of the culture.” The authors accept that they “do not attempt to offer pure versions of the ancient sacred teachings” but rather “attempt to record some of the prevalent existing spiritual belief and practices.” While this approach may accurately portray contemporary African religion as it is practiced it may in doing so miss essential elements that could be uncovered through contact with traditional elders who continue to live and share their direct traditional experience. While the text is instructive, a direct experience seems to be missing. The author’s knowledge appears limited to what may be generally known amongst contemporary adherents to the traditional religion and scholars. There remains a task to seek out and disseminate a deeper understanding of traditional African knowledge.
With the observation, “the most popular kind of sacrifice we make in our communities is the slaying of an animal” the author writes, “animal sacrifice has also been an integral component of Judaism, Islam and Christianity. The book notes explain that terms such as “sorcerer” and “witch doctor” have been replaced with the word “shaman” as the former titles have “been viewed in a derogatory manner.” The term “shaman” comes from outside African culture. Appeasing public prejudice may not be in the best interest of describing traditional African religion. Accepting what is without blending in with different traditions may better serve to preserve traditional Africa’s knowledge.
The introduction refers to Africa as “the birthplace of humanity.” Though not a new idea the statement seems debateable. As an overview the book serves very well introducing many aspects of traditional African customs. We are told “our healers are most knowledgeable about plant and animals, providing us with our herbal remedies and charm ingredients.” There seems a lot more to be told. The title of the book led me to have greater expectations of the content. I look forward to a more profound treatment of the subject. For this I believe we will need to go directly to the source – the traditional elders themselves.
While the book brushes many aspects of traditional culture it is void of descriptive passages of village life. While reading I had a yearning to smell the bark, to find myself descriptively situated in village activity. This absence may foretell the future. If traditional knowledge is to survive it may well have to continue outside of village existence as the villages themselves are dying as a means of transmission of all that is sacred.
Today the boundaries of some cities extend to the next city. Corporations control feeding huge populations. Connection to survival depends on market economies. Living becomes an abstraction disconnected from natural sources. The care and nurturing of traditional knowledge may be a delicate thread required to save contemporary society from its own extinction.
Reviewed Jan. 24, 2005 by:
Stephen Conroy, Producer/Publisher
Yaya Diallo’s Traditional & Contemporary West African Music
Onzou Records, www.onzou.com
Recommended reading by Yaya Diallo:
-The Healing Drum: African Wisdom Teachings
ISBN 0-89281-256-7
-At the Threshold of the African Soul: The Fulani-Minianka Way
Published by the Intercultural Institute of Montreal
Tel: 514-288-7229 Fax: 514-844-6800 Email: info@iim.qc.ca
Yaya Diallo, musician, author and Malian elder dedicates his life work to sharing his cultural heritage.