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African Cosmology of the Bantu-Kongo

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In the first chapter, "Kongo Cosmology in Graphics", Mr. Bunseki utilizes an ingenious series of geometric figures/diagrams to outline the cosmological/linguistic underpinnings of Bantu-Kongo society in the villages where he grew up and has lived for over 40 years. As in other African societies, so-called societal and ritual categories often overlap in many different ways - things aren't always as they seem, but this is why things work so well and are expressive of so much vitality. Everything interpenetrates with everything else, in numerous ways, and on numerous levels, and from numberless standpoints. Much is made in a few short sentences here and there of interactions of forms/fronts/loci of energy.

The figures aren't referenced directly in the text, so you have to intuit your way through. Though annoying at first, this ends up being the best way to grasp the concepts at a fundamental level. You tend to "hear" what he's telling you as you're scanning the images, more akin to oral traditional ways of gaining knowledge, even though ostensibly it's being done to you via a printed medium. He uses native Kongo words to illustrate his lead concepts, even offering entire sentences, which he then translates and/or offers commentary on, at times creatively bending and distorting the English language rather than offering up a weak-kneed or water-down version.

The chapter begins as an exposition of the origin of the elemental earth/cosmos, and proceeds to illuminate different general stages of planetary life. It then illustrates beautifully the living, breathing relationship between this macrocosmic vision and the comings and goings of individual humans in the cyclic dynamics and inter-meshing forces of family, clan, and society. This includes of course the world before birth and after death (that of the ancestors) as theirs is a [reincarnational] version of reality, every aspect full of dynamism, and of communication.

The book, though slim, packs more and more potency the more you study it, even in fits and starts, rather than just reading it straight through. Even when you are trying to skim the text, you feel the forces symbolized therein grabbing at you, seeking to draw you into the world being portrayed. Yes, this book is rather alive.

Next chapter: "The African Concept of Law and Crime"- there are no law books in traditional society. In large sections of Africa, all legal, political and societal matters are ensconced in a plethora of expressive proverbs which all members of the village have access to, depending on the extent of their memorization skills. So when a legal matter comes before the village, all those present act as 'lawyers', not for and against, but rather to flesh out the problem and to seek resolution. Any metaphor(s) enshrined in this or that proverb or folktale may be cited in order to get a glimpse of the energy of the moment and/or a grasp of the situation at hand.

In the following chapter, "Historical Background of the Kongo Cultural Zone", Mr. Bunseki utilizes a large number of such proverbs to give a sense of the outlines of how Kongo society works. One ends up with a vision of a society that is/was probably pure democracy and pure communalism at the same time, prior to their eventual divergence. For instance: all land was held in common by the community . . . no one could become too rich, as that threatens the stability of the overall community . . . all important decisions are made in common. And leaders act as servants of the community, not as its rulers.

Of course, none of this was known by the European colonizers of Africa, mainly because they never spoke any of the native languages, all the better to ignore Africans' humanity in order to exploit the continent's many resources. Thus Africans were portrayed as ignorant savages; their languages and customs were characterized as mumbo-jumbo.

Bunseki's grasp of the subject matter is powerful, his delivery even more so - both very expressive, and full of truthfulness. He is rhetorically/poetically very sensitive to the needs of African society to find a way back to its roots, in order that the usual political excesses seen in recent years will hopefully be turned around, and the ancient order be allowed to re-establish itself.

At the end of this chapter he outlines and (provides another diagram for) how perception (via sound,, sight, etc.) propagates in space; but expands/confounds the customary "scientific" conception by postulating/explaining how such things as dreams propagate as well.

The final chapter ["The 'V': Basis of All Realities"] is even more astounding than what's come before . . . here is where the esoteric nature of Bunseki's training is showered upon the reader. There are several more figures/diagrams by which Bunseki opens up the inner heart of the matter . . . you'll emerged cleansed, somewhat more enlightened (depending on previous training/experience and the temporary condition of your mind and nervous system, of course). Your view of our universe will have been clarified, and amplified.

Here, one diagram shows the seven cosmic directions, in an almost identical fashion to what many of us studying Native American traditions have come to know. But then the teacher opens up the seventh direction and uses a series of diagrams to really initiate the great work, provided the reader has followed along up to this point. The way he maps it out and describes it is exquisite, inspired, intuitive and wholeheartedly alive. Give this guy all of the stars you can find for this work . . . he's worth at least that much.

Reading this book is nourishment, food for the soul, food for thought, and rare information about the kongo spiritual worldview with many quotes including traditional proverbs in Kongolese language from a living initiate in the secret spiritual traditions of kongolese society. If you are interested in the authentic African traditions, this book is for you. I love it, and sincerely hope that Dr. Bunseki keeps on writing. He speaks to the whole world.

In this wonderful text, Dr. Fu-Kiau introduces his audience to the fantastically complex Central African philosophy of the Bakongo--the creators of the 13th Century Kongo Empire. The logic of the Bakongo rivals that of East Asia and Ancient Greece. Their philosophical religion, which was very concerned with not only the world but the universe and its planets and stars and the nature of Kalunga--a concept of energy that is akin to the idea of "the Force" in Star Wars. It's fantastic. It's intellectual. It's insightful. It's political. It's spiritual. A must have!

I have read a number of books on cosmology. Too many to even mention. When I came across this book, I picked it up because I recognized the name of the author in Robert T. Farris' book, . Dr. Kia Bunseki Fu-Kiau did an excellent job explaining some of the practices that African Americans had done, so I decided to give this book a try and, I am glad that I did. Because it was the first book on cosmology that finally made sense to me. So much so, it helped me in my understanding of other African cosmologies - particularly the cosmology of Kamit (or Ancient Egypt).

Dr. Kia Bunseki Fu-Kiau does a wonderful job explaining how this way of thinking came about and how it relates to the various sciences of today. It confirms that African people were scientifically aware of their universe before they encountered other cultures, because African science comes from a deeper and older source. Like most writers on traditional African beliefs, culture and thought the author explains why communal efforts were so beneficial and powerful. Anyone that has studied anthropology and history cannot with a clear conscience say that Western civilization with its emphasis on individualism has advance society as a whole. Sure a lot of technological advances have been made but at what expense? 500 years of devastation of numerous people through slavery and genocide (Africans, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, shall I continue). Not to mention the destruction of the world's natural resources, which by the way so-called "primitive", "noble savages" all warned about. Anti-West, please...history speaks for itself.

Anyway, African Cosmology simply expresses and presents an alternative.

The author is as soulful and mysterious as the cosmic -mathematical -spirituality written on the pages of this book. I had the pleasure of meeting him in person and knew I had to seek further into what he had to say. One of the more important messages being that since all systems are coded, it is imperative for groups of African descent to love the study of their languages, to prove their scientific capacity in order to avoid yesterdays biased blunders. The cosmology is explained in graphic form in the first chapter for those of us who need visuals to understand, and it is plain enough for the novice to comprehend. There is an awesome chapter on Law and Crime as it relates to cosmic Congo life and living principles as well as a chapter on the concept of the V, the basis for all realities and the binding force to all. You will love all of the proverbs as they are according to the author “ regarded as the warehouse of the ancient African wisdom.” This book is a must have, must read for all who value the old ways of living and who know that this is the way to go.

Outstanding very well written as far as understanding the concept of time and the begining of the universe from the Bantu Kongo tradition, and who is who as far as some Kongo deities who coincide with the mpungos or deities we know in Cuba, but the author kind of gets a litle bit revolutionary in his way of writing sort of reminds me of Maoist and black power movement of the 1960's and 1970's.But again this book was a collaboration of various writings from the author in different time periods. Overall I like the book and look froward to read more from this author.

This book is not for the faint of heart. as in faint heart never fair suitor won. You will have to work to get into this book, it does not reveal itself to the casual reader. all of those foolish notions about "primitives" fly far away when you try to examine this wisdom. Good Luck.

As I read this book I felt my jaw slowly dropping and my sense of incredulity slowly rising, until I just couldn't take it any more.

First there's the pseudo-science and made up history and language of the Bantu-Kongo, the author seems to imply that ancient Africans came up with sophisticated theoretical physics concepts like 'the big bang' and planet formation theory. Then there's the oft-repeated anti-Western invective and hostility wherein the author tells the reader that the West is greedy, evil, corrupt, and, of course, the source of all the ills suffered by modern Africans. The reader is told that prior to European encroachment, Africa was a paradise inhabited by noble savages. Liberal democracy, the enlightenment and the industrial revolution have absolutely nothing positive to offer the African. The answer to all modern African problems seem to be a return to primitive village society, notwithstanding the obvious fact that simple village culture is completely unable and ill-equipped to handle the sophisticated economic, social and political problems one is confronted with in a technologically advanced world. The author himself lives and works in the United States, by the way.

At no point does the author present any coherent thesis. At no point does the author make any rational argument supported by evidence or credible authority. Most citations consist of the author citing his previous essays and books.

If one is disgruntled with Western Civilization, or the World Economy, one can do much better than resort to pseudo-science, re-writing history, and the fiction of the noble savage presented here.

Possibly the worst book I've ever had the displeasure of reading.