Funerals in Africa

Funerals in Africa PDF

Author: Michael Jindra

Publisher: Berghahn Books

Published: 2011-09-01

Total Pages: 244

ISBN-13: 0857452061

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Across Africa, funerals and events remembering the dead have become larger and even more numerous over the years. Whereas in the West death is normally a private and family affair, in Africa funerals are often the central life cycle event, unparalleled in cost and importance, for which families harness vast amounts of resources to host lavish events for multitudes of people with ramifications well beyond the event. Though officials may try to regulate them, the popularity of these events often makes such efforts fruitless, and the elites themselves spend tremendously on funerals. This volume brings together scholars who have conducted research on funerary events across sub-Saharan Africa. The contributions offer an in-depth understanding of the broad changes and underlying causes in African societies over the years, such as changes in religious beliefs, social structure, urbanization, and technological changes and health.

African Ceremonies

African Ceremonies PDF

Author: Carol Beckwith

Publisher:

Published: 2002-10-08

Total Pages: 402

ISBN-13:

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A newly designed, affordable one-volume edition of this definitive work on the traditional rituals of Africa, containing more than half the photos that were in the original edition plus new images that will focus fresh attention on specific ceremonies. The book is accompanied by a CD of African ceremonies. 473 photos.

The Artfulness of Death in Africa

The Artfulness of Death in Africa PDF

Author: John Mack

Publisher:

Published: 2019

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781789141238

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If weddings are the most lavish events in many parts of the world, in Sub-Saharan Africa, by contrast, it is funerals. Funeral celebrations can be flamboyant occasions, particularly those honoring prominent people. Artworks of many kinds are created to commemorate the dead from mortuary sculptures and extravagant coffins to elaborate headstones, memorials, monuments, and cenotaphs. This book is a unique survey of the artful nature of funerals in Africa. Drawing on a wide range of historical, anthropological, archaeological, art historical, and literary sources, John Mack charts the full range of African funereal art, highlighting examples from across the continent and from ancient times to today. Featuring abundant illustrations--some of which have never been published before--The Artfulness of Death in Africa is essential reading for those interested in African art, culture, society, and history.

African Religions

African Religions PDF

Author: Jacob K. Olupona

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2014

Total Pages: 177

ISBN-13: 0199790582

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This book connects traditional religions to the thriving religious activity in Africa today.

The Dance, Art, and Ritual of Africa

The Dance, Art, and Ritual of Africa PDF

Author: Michel Huet

Publisher: Pantheon

Published: 1978

Total Pages: 202

ISBN-13: 9780394502724

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"Artistic and anthropological treatment of various sub-Saharan cultures as photographically recorded over a thirty-year period and accompanied by ethnographic notes explicating the significance of depicted masks, costumes, ceremonies, and choreography." -- Amazon.com viewed February 5, 2021.

African Forms

African Forms PDF

Author: Laure Meyer

Publisher:

Published: 2001

Total Pages: 212

ISBN-13:

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Illuminates an aspect of African art that has largely been neglected by other books. African sculptures and art can be difficult to decipher because they are more than tokens of "art for art's sake." African art is often based on religious and philosophical values. It is created not just for the patron but for the entire community, using a language of form to help the society to understand what cannot otherwise be put into words. Through an enlightening analysis of some continent's most emblematic artifacts, this book decodes African art by putting it in the context of the broader culture. It is thematically organized around key motifs to help you fully understand African art. 150 colour illustrations

Art and Religion in Africa

Art and Religion in Africa PDF

Author: Rosalind Hackett

Publisher: A&C Black

Published: 1998-10-01

Total Pages: 240

ISBN-13: 0826436552

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Africa's religious and artistic traditions constitute a primary example of its intellectual and cultural vitality. Artistic works play a vital role - especially where oral traditions dominate - in communicating ideas about the relationship between the human, spiritual and natural worlds. This work is a comparative study of Africa's visual and performing arts, concentrating on their geographical, material and gendered diversity, and focusing on the relation of these arts to African religion. The author combines ethnographic and art-historical methodology but does not assume any prior knowledge of African art or African religion. The text seeks a greater understanding of the philosophical and religious aspects of African art, thus challenging western perceptions of what is "important" in terms of artistic representation. This approach reveals the transformative capacities and multi-dimensionality of African art. The work also highlights the changes brought about by Christianity, Islam and the newer religious movements in post-colonial Africa.