Africa's Ogun: Old World and New (African Systems of Thought) [Paperback]

Sandra T. Barnes (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 22, 1997

The second edition of this landmark work is enhanced by new chapters on Ogun worship in the New World. From reviews of the first edition:

"... an ethnographically rich contribution to the historical understanding of West African culture, as well as an exploration of the continued vitality of that culture in the changing environments of the Americas." —African Studies Review

"... leav[es] the reader with a sense of the vitality, dynamism, and complexity of Ogun and the cultural contexts in which he thrives.... magnificent contribution to the literature on Ogun, Yoruba culture, African religions, and the African diaspora." —International Journal of Historical Studies

Editorial Reviews

Review

O ... an ethnographically rich contribution to the historical understanding of West African culture, as well as an exploration of the continued vitality of that culture in the changing environments of the Americas.O NAfrican Studies Review OCults involving OgunNthe ancient African god of iron, warfare, and huntingNtranscend boundaries of ethnicity, race, and class. With more than 40 million adherents, the religion thrives in West Africa, South America, the Caribbean, and North America. Essays in this volume document the widespread appeal of Ogun, with each contributor presenting varying insights into the philosophy of life that Ogun embodies .O NChoice O ... leav[es] the reader with a sense of the vitality, dynamism, and complexity of Ogun and the cultural contexts in which he thrives... magnificent contribution to the literature on Ogun, Yoruba culture, African religions, and the African diaspora.O NInternational Journal of Historical Studies New material in second edition: part 3: Transformations of Ogun A Comparative Analysis of Ogun in Precolonial Yorubaland by J.D.Y. Peel Unveiling the Orisha by Philip Scher Repossession: Ogun in Folklore and Literature by Donald J. Cosentino Ogun and Mind/Body Potentiality: Yoruba Scarification and Painting Traditions in Africa and the Americas by Henry John Drewal and John Mason Ogun: Builder of the LukumiOs House by John Mason

About the Author

Sandra T. Barnes is Professor of Anthropology and Director of African Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. She is author of Patrons and Power: Creating a Political Community in Metropolitan Lagos and Ogun: An Old God for a New Age.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Indiana University Press; Enlarged 2nd edition (June 22, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0253210836
• ISBN-13: 978-0253210838
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #789,124 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #53 in Books > History > Africa > African Studies

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So much info from different authorities, March 16, 2010

By 

Michael (Chicago) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Africa's Ogun: Old World and New (African Systems of Thought) (Paperback)

This is much better than I had presumed it would be. So much info on Baba Ogun on different aspects of this great Orisha related to his role in warfare, technology, Yoruba culture, etc..with a balance of perspectives from both the continent/Yorubaland and the new world. I can't imagine anyone being disappointed with the amount of information contained in this great book from both scholarly and religious sources.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good book, August 1, 2008

By 

Davidson "Davidson Silva" (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Africa's Ogun: Old World and New (African Systems of Thought) (Paperback)

A great book about Ogun's cult. If you want to know Ogun in Africa and in Americas, you need this book.