Divine Inspiration: From Benin to Bahia [Paperback]

Joseph Nevadomsky (Author), Norma Rosen (Author), Zeca Llgiero (Author), Phyllis Galembo (Author, Editor), Robert Farris Thompson (Author, Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1890157171 | ISBN-13: 978-1890157173 | Publication Date: June 1, 1998 | Edition: 2nd

Photographer Phyllis Galembo was invited to Nigeria in 1985 to document the research of her friend and colleague, Norma Rosen, on the design and use of traditional Edo altars, ritual objects, and ceremonial dress. From this and subsequent journeys comes this collection of spectacular photographs and essays on Nigerian and Brazilian shrines and ritual figures. The first section of this book contains rare photographs of traditional priests and priestesses and the shrine objects they use. Both the essay by Rosen, an ordained Olokun priestess, and Galembo's powerful photographs illuminate some of West Africa's elaborate cultural and religious traditions. The second section explores the Brazilian form of ancient African spiritual religion brought to the New World during the Atlantic slave trade of the sixteenth century. The connection between the Ivory Coast of Africa and the New World has been acknowledged in works on the history, anthropology literature, folklore and music of the two areas, but never has visual documentation of this depth and quality been made available. This books breaks new ground in the study of African Diaspora while it provides powerful photographs that are, above all, a celebration of the senses.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Athelia Henrietta Pr; 2nd edition (June 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890157171
• ISBN-13: 978-1890157173
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 11 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,508,087 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book with moving photographs and interesting essays., July 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Divine Inspiration: From Benin to Bahia (Paperback)

Divine Inspiration is an unusual coffee table book because the pictures do tell a thousand words, and because the text is helpful and interesting, not just filler. It is a good, respectful introduction to the Yoruba religion and its many offspring in the Americas.

5.0 out of 5 stars Benin to bahia, December 17, 2011

By 

dice - See all my reviews

This review is from: Divine Inspiration: From Benin to Bahia (Paperback)

This book provides great content on the relation between the culture and heritage of the Benins(Edo) and the african influenced religions and culture of the brazil Ian city of Bahia, from pictures, to texts, to references, it's all worth every penny.
I first discovered this book at a friends place and since then have been a proud owner of a copy , and it is just great to find it available for other people like me who are very proud to witness the surviving history, traditional and religious links shared by continental Africans and Africans in diaspora despite the Great distance and loss brought about by the the trans-atlantic slave trade.