Description
Book SynopsisThis book concerns the origins, structure, purpose, meaning, and signiïcance of libation, developments and change within the ritual, and its distribution in the Afrikan world. It connects the practice of libation throughout time, connects Afrikans to their social history, and so to themselves, across generations in different spaces and times.
Trade Review. . . it shows an extremely refreshing and philosophically original approach. It is Afrocentric without being overbearingly so. I find it also serious in scholarship and well-written. It reads easily with no obscurity of either language or ideas. It takes the shroud off Egyptology. I think its break from Eurocentric leanings is one of its very fine points. -- Kwesi Kwaa Prah, Professor and Director, Center for the advanced study of African Society, Cape Town, South Africa
Professor Nehusi has written a powerful book on a most ancient and critical Afrikan ritual, libation. He masterfully demonstrates that libation must be understood within the Afrikan worldview and its emphasis on ontological unity and life eternal. Furthermore, his argument about the importance of cultural reclamation in the process of Afrikan renaissance is both timely and compelling. -- Ama Mazama, PhD, Department of African American Studies, Temple University
This is, undoubtedly, a masterly and monumental work on libation, an African ritual of heritage, that reflects the African world view from the earliest times until the present. In an admirably scholarly manner, the author tells the "lion's story" that amply explains the meaning and significance of the ritual of libation and restores African identity in a conscious manner that effectively counters the hazards of the Maafa. The African world owes an immeasurable debt of gratitude to Kimani Nehusi for this brilliant piece of work. -- Kofi Asare Opoku, African University College of Communications, Accra, Ghana. Formerly Professor of Religious Studies, Lafayette College, Easton, PA. Author of West African Traditional Religion
Table of ContentsList of Abbreviations List of Illustrations List of Photographs in the Photospread Note on Translation and Transliteration Photographic Credits Preface Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter 1. Hr qbHw: On Libation Chapter 2. The Origins of Libation Chapter 3. The Origins and Evolution of the Offering Complex Chapter 4. On Our Sacred Ancestors Chapter 5. Transmission across Space and Time Chapter 6. Ritual Significances Chapter 7. Some Conclusions Chapter 8. Some Questions and Answers Bibliography Index
