?The stories within these books have the poignancy of new discoveries as well as the unworn imagination of the ancestors. The commentary has the sharp edge of modern thought and the intricacy which results from the intellect being woven through the ritual complexities of tribal life. The purpose of constructing thresholds that bring this world together is to find the powers that can heal the rends in tribal as well as modern communities.? --Michael Meade, from the Introduction Versed in the languages of psychology, comparative literature, as well as ancient mythology, healing, and divination, Malidoma Patrice Some bridges paths between the ancient tribal world of the West African Dagara culture and modern Western society. Ritual is written with wild imagination, careful critical reflection, and intuitive insights that will force the reader to encounter the world anew.
Ritual: Power, Healing and Community (Compass)
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Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
Some is the ideal author for this book, which presents traditional beliefs about spirit possession and the need for ritual. He grew up in a village in West Africa and holds advanced degrees from the Sorbonne and Brandeis University, and he is also a Dagara medicine man and diviner. Some presents his own reactions to Western culture's enslavement to machine technology, which, he states, "is the spirit of death made to look like life." He concentrates on the need for grief ritual and ways of working with emotion in Western culture. Recommended for academic and large public libraries.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Malidoma Patrice Somé, born in Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso) West Africa, is initiated in the ancestral traditions of his tribe, and is a medicine man and diviner in the Dagra culture. He holds three master's degrees and two doctorates from Sorbonne and Brandeis University, and has taught at the University of Michigan. He currently devotes himself to speaking and, with his wife, Sobonfu, conducting intensive workshops throughout the United States.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
30 of 30 people found the following review helpful
By Phil Rogers
Format:Paperback
This man has considerably more skill both as a thinker and as a writer than the average philosopher, or anthropologist, or even 'New Age prophet'. He really lays everything bare, like it or not, about the advantages of living in a subsistence community (as against our modern society). And further, he explains how the rituals work which those folks use to maintain links with the spirits of their ancestors, as well as with the earth and with each other.
Malidoma's brief but cogent exposition on the reasons behind how animal sacrifice works would flay apart the average modern-day monotheist's supposedly reasoned rants against such practices.
His chapter-length analysis of the Dagara's typical 3-day funeral ceremony is probably the most cogent dissection and analysis of a societal function that I have ever read, and coming from a true insider makes it that much more accurate as well as poignant, and believable. There's not a wisp of mere speculative cogitation coming from this man.
This book opened/cleansed my eyes and my soul about African culture at least as much as Gary Snyder's 'Earth House Hold: Technical Queries to Fellow Dharma Revolutionaries' did as regards Asia, way back in 1969. I tend to think that those who approach this discussion with an open mind and heart will find themselves changed in very profound ways, not necessarily painlessly, but possibly, very thoroughly, and for the better.
I met Mr. Some and his wife, and worked with them for a couple of hours around 12 years ago at a Michigan Medicine Wheel Gathering hosted by Sun Bear and his Bear Tribe. He is all that he seems, and then some. His laughter and sense of humor have almost a madcap quality that seems to reach far into the Otherworld, maybe even stemming from there.
... Read more ›31 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I first read Of Water and Spirit,5 years ago, and was moved and totally absorbed by Malidoma's account of his most amazing life journey. And I just recently read his third book, The Healing Wisdom Of Africa, and now this, his second book.
There are similarities you will find in this book and The Healing Wisdom Of Africa. But this book, has many more personal accounts of his experiences with Ritual,and with his Grandfather, a powerful influence in his life. He gives a very in depth description of the Death ritual, which caused me to reflect upon the funerals I have gone to, and the vast difference. I found myself wanting to attend a Death ritual,with the Dagara, if only to participate in the togetherness of such a moving and human ceremony.
He shares with us the depth and detail of a culture that has so much to share and to teach everyone. I for one, feel blessed to have been exposed to such wisdom and beauty through Malidomas writings.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By JB
Format:Paperback
I cannot stop reading Malidoma Patrice Some's accounts of his life and the lives of the Dagara people of Burkina Faso. The strong linkages between community, spirit, rituals, and individual growth are compelling and very engrossing. I first read "The Healing Wisdom of Africa: Finding Life Purpose Through Nature, Ritual, and Community," with awe and a realization of the connections that my own people lost when my ancestors were transported from this part of the world by slave traders.
However, Malidoma, through works like this one, opens our eyes to the possibilities that all is not lost to us, and that even in this modern westernized culture, there are ways in which we can begin to make some of those connections again, through the way we relate to community and our loved ones.
I found the chapter titled "a ritual sampler:The funeral and language of grief especially interesting and thought provoking.
I can hardly wait to read more of your books Malidoma. Thank you.
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Malidoma Patrice Somé, author of Of Water and the Spirit, describes a broad spectrum of ways in which rituals can be helpful. His perspective is that of a shaman trained in the West African Dagara cultural tradition, now living and teaching in the US. He eloquently shares his experiences of powerful shamanic healing practices.
For Somé, rituals are potent interventions on many levels. At the social level they are forms for expression of religious beliefs, or communal celebrations. Rituals affirm our connection with our community. A healing ritual may draw together relatives from the immediate and extended family, as well as from the community at large.
"Where ritual is absent, the young ones are restless or violent, there are no real elders, and the grown-ups are bewildered. The future is dim." (p. 12)
Industrial society has lost much of its awareness of rituals.
"Indigenous people are indigenous because there are no machines between them and their gods. There are no machines barring the door to the spirit world where one can enter in and listen to what is going on within at a deep level, participating in the vibration of Nature. Where machines speak in place of gods, people are hard put to listen, even more hard put to vibrate with the realm of Nature." (p. 17-18)
Healing rituals, properly performed, are tools to achieve specific healing effects. People performing the rituals may enhance the power of the rituals through their innate gifts for healing, through their learning in apprenticeship the ways of a shaman, and through the assistance of various natural energies and spirit assistants.
This is a book to be savored, rich in healings on many levels.
For Somé, rituals are potent interventions on many levels. At the social level they are forms for expression of religious beliefs, or communal celebrations. Rituals affirm our connection with our community. A healing ritual may draw together relatives from the immediate and extended family, as well as from the community at large.
"Where ritual is absent, the young ones are restless or violent, there are no real elders, and the grown-ups are bewildered. The future is dim." (p. 12)
Industrial society has lost much of its awareness of rituals.
"Indigenous people are indigenous because there are no machines between them and their gods. There are no machines barring the door to the spirit world where one can enter in and listen to what is going on within at a deep level, participating in the vibration of Nature. Where machines speak in place of gods, people are hard put to listen, even more hard put to vibrate with the realm of Nature." (p. 17-18)
Healing rituals, properly performed, are tools to achieve specific healing effects. People performing the rituals may enhance the power of the rituals through their innate gifts for healing, through their learning in apprenticeship the ways of a shaman, and through the assistance of various natural energies and spirit assistants.
This is a book to be savored, rich in healings on many levels.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Knowledge is key
Easy to read and understand. Inspired me to create more rites of passage in my life. Made me aware of how I had been building shrines all my life.
Published 7 months ago by A
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic and easy read about the importance of Ritual
This book is a fantastic read about the power and the importance of ritual and community in daily life, two things that seem to be so lacking in western culture. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Jason Nadeau
5.0 out of 5 stars
AMAZING!
This book is simply amazing. Malidoma speaks in a clear language of things that are essential to humanity. Things that fulfill our lives with a sense of purpose and love.
Published 15 months ago by galisboa
5.0 out of 5 stars
En Lighten Yourself
Malidoma Patrice Some has an extraordinary gift for language. This is combined with his indigenous and tribal childhood experience reveals that our modern ways weren't the only way... Read more
Published 23 months ago by KonKal
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ritual....
This book captured my full attention from page one. It is a wonderfully informative guide into the power of healing and community-building. I would recommend it without hesitation.
Published on November 1, 2010 by Linda J. Jenkins
5.0 out of 5 stars
RITUAL
All the books were very informative and contributed a lot to my understanding of many things.
Published on January 30, 2010 by Chinua Armah
4.0 out of 5 stars
Ritual: Power, Healing, and Community
This book was so informative in relationship to providing a counter orientation to a Western world view. It assists one in understanding a totally different spirituality . Read more
Published on October 2, 2009 by Richard H. Harvey
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting
If you are serious about understanding power, and healing in community. This is a good book to read.
Published on December 21, 2006 by Natural Woman
5.0 out of 5 stars
What we can learn from the indigenous world...
An absolutely fabulous book, which reads like a novel. Malidoma brings a lot of wisdom, and really get's you thinking. Read more
Published on November 10, 2006 by Inge Simons
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