African Spirituality: On Becoming Ancestors [Paperback]

Anthony Ephirim-Donkor (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1997

Focusing on the Akan people in Ghana as a resource for examining the overall conception of human development, this study is the first of its kind to concentrate on specific developmental processes of an African people from the ancestral world to the mundane and back to the ancestral world. From their beliefs concerning reincarnation, conception, birth, education, ethical existence and generativity, eldership, and death, the Akan people have developed a sequence of culturally defined life stage. This paradigm is predicated on a theory of personality that has its ontological basis in God (Nana Nyame) and the primordial woman and her children that formed the original matrilineal community, the ebusua. This structural model utilizes myths and concepts, rites, dreams, and elements that form the basis for human development among the Akan people. Applying the work of Erik Erikson and James Fowler, the author examines the vast, systematized, and holistic Akan concept of personality.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Focusing on the Akan people in Ghana as a resource for examining the overall conception of human development, African Spirituality is the first book to concentrate on specific developmental processes of an African people from the ancestral world to the mundane and back to the ancestral world. From their beliefs concerning reincarnation, conception, birth, education, ethical existence, eldership, and death, the Akan people have developed a sequence of culturally defined life stages. This paradigm is predicated on a theory of personality that has its ontological basis in God (Nana Nyame) and the primordial woman and her children that formed the original matrilineal community, the ebusua. This structural model utilizes myths and concepts, rites, drams, and elements that form the basis for human development among the Akan people. Applying the word of Erik Erikson and James Fowler; the author examines the vast, systematized, and holistic Akan concept of personality. -- Midwest Book Review

About the Author

Anthony Ephirim-Donkor is a professor of Africana Studies at Binghamton University, SUNY. He is also known as Nana Dr. Obrafo Owom X, the Traditional Ruler of Gomoa Mprumem, an Akan town in the Central Region of Ghana, West Africa. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 194 pages
• Publisher: Africa World Press (March 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0865435537
• ISBN-13: 978-0865435537
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,322,630 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A real life review of African Spirituality by an Africian, February 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: African Spirituality: On Becoming Ancestors (Paperback)

This book is written by an African who was educated in the US -- rec'd his PhD from Emory U. This is real look at real life in Ghana among the Ashanti and their view of life and death. This book is the result of Dr. Donkor's research for his PhD. This text is suitable for classroom and research purposes or for those who would like to find about their African roots.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Informative, October 6, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: African Spirituality: On Becoming Ancestors (Paperback)

I wanted to learn something about the traditional beliefs of the Akan people so I ordered this book. It was very readable and very informative. What interested me the most was that the author used structures developed by Fowler and Erikson. Since these two are foundational in the study of western faith and personality development, I felt right at home, even though the destination of the book was halfway around the globe. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in a "first book" about this subject.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quick and infomative, February 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: African Spirituality: On Becoming Ancestors (Paperback)

I found this book a very quick read, but incredibly insightful especially with regards to the reasons behind the traditions described. It delves into the consciousness in a personal yet impartial way, which I appreciated.