A Saint in the City: Sufi Arts of Urban Senegal [Paperback]

Allen F. Roberts (Author), Mary Nooter Roberts (Author), Gassia Armenian (Author), Ousmane Gueye (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0930741935 | ISBN-13: 978-0930741938 | Publication Date: February 2003

"A Saint in the City" examines the elaborate visual culture of the Mourides, a Senegalese Sufi movement based upon the mystical teachings of Sheikh Amadou Bamba (1953-1927). In the boldly visual city of Dakar, images abound despite the fact that Senegal is largely a Muslim country. Vibrant street murals, calligraphy and calligrams, didactic posters, drawings that protect and heal, advertising images, colourful clothing, Web sites, intricate glass paintings, and innovative architecture all attest to the transformative potency that expressive culture has for Mourides. One image is ubiquitous throughout urban Senegal: the portrait of Sheikh Amadou Bamba, based upon a colonial photograph from 1913. Sacred images "work" for Mourides, and as Bamba is a saint (Wali Allah, or "Friend of God" in Arabic), his portrait actively conveys powerful blessings called baraka that help people to address everyday difficulties, challenges, and goals. The Mouride Way is observed by over four million Senegalese and thousands more around the globe including increasing numbers of African Americans and others converting to this most African of Islamic paths. Amadou Bamba's pacifism, dignity, and self-reliance, as well as his emphasis on the sanctity of work, offer a view of Islam quite different from those currently suggested by Western media. Indeed, "A Saint in the City" reminds us that there are many faces of Islam in Africa and throughout the world. It also assists readers to reconsider misconceptions concerning the prohibition of images in Islam in light of the explosion of visual culture derived from a single photograph of Sheikh Amadou Bamba. "A Saint in the City" grows from a decade of interdisciplinary research and focuses upon nine contemporary artists who base their works upon the spiritual teachings of Amadou Bamba, regardless of their particular backgrounds, training, or styles. The book boldly transgresses the boundaries normally enforced between local and global, fine and popular arts, gallery and streets, historical and contemporary circumstances. An emphasis upon Mouride artists' own voices further decenters the narrative. Allen F. Roberts is professor of world arts and cultures and director of the James S. Coleman African Studies Center at UCLA. Mary Nooter Roberts is deputy director and chief curator of the UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

More than four million Senegalese follow the Mouride Way, a Sufi movement based on the teachings of Sheikh Amadou Bamba, a mystic who died in 1927. A single surviving photograph of Bamba, taken around 1913 and reproduced in this fascinating monograph, has become iconic: in it, Bamba wears a startlingly white, long-sleeved robe and a loose, white wrap across his head; his features are difficult to discern, sharply in shadow and light, and his standing posture is direct and upright. Mourides believe that images of Bamba offer potency, protection and prosperity. Artists across Senegal, but mostly centered in Dakar, have taken this arresting image and infinitely reproduced it, creating devotional murals, textiles and glass art. One muralist named Papisto Boy says, "As far as I am concerned, when I see his portrait, it helps me overcome all obstacles. It gives me force, and it gives me courage." Allen F. Roberts, director of the James S. Coleman African Studies Center at UCLA, and Mary Nooter Roberts, deputy director and chief curator of the UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History, have brought together works from street artists and fine artists to broadly paint how the Mourides visually celebrate Bamba. Ten chapters provide 274 color illustrations of everything from stunning, colorful glass paintings by local artists to sculptures by Moustapha Dime, who exhibited at the 1993 Venice Biennale. One chapter explores "Healing Words: Mouride Arts of Writing and Inscription," while another uncovers "Portraits of the Hidden Side: Sanctifying Domestic Space." A glossary, map and notes to the text further clarify this complex, pious art. Photographs of artists selling, making, hanging or contemplating the works add further dimensions of religious, ideological and economic life.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Allen F. Roberts is professor of world arts and cultures and director of the James S. Coleman African Studies Center at UCLA. Mary Nooter Roberts is deputy director and chief curator of the UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History.

Product Details

• Paperback: 283 pages
• Publisher: University of California Los Angeles, Fowler (February 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0930741935
• ISBN-13: 978-0930741938
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 8.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 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: #888,365 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Iconic work, July 16, 2008

By 

Dr. Jean Robert Sohoka (Dakar, Senegal) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Saint in the City: Sufi Arts of Urban Senegal (Paperback)

Senegal is a cradle of juxtaposed cultures and civilizations.
The contribution of Sufism art is well felt in Senegal.
The book invites us to appreciate such an influence. It has strong ramifications in our schools' system.
It is pleasing to see international writers spending their time to broaden the masses' understanding of our culture.
Sufism in Senegal is different from its counterpart in Muslim countries.
In Senegal, Sufism espouses our ethnic tradition and way of life.
The book clearly explained this harmonious unity.

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book on the arts of Touba, September 4, 2008

By 

A. Carter (ATL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Saint in the City: Sufi Arts of Urban Senegal (Paperback)

One of the best complied books on The sufi Saint, Amadou Bamaba and all of the art that comes from his greatness. Beautifully put together and a must have for anyone who loves african art, african sufism, or african mysticism. Definently one to collect.