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Janheinz Jahn

Muntu: African Culture and the Western World Paperback – January 18, 1994

by Janheinz Jahn (Author), Marjorie Grene (Translator)

27 ratings

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Over a quarter of a century has passed since Muntu was first published in English, but this landmark examination still provides one of the most in-depth looks at African and neo-African culture. In his insightful study, Janheinz Jahn surveys the whole range of traditional and modern African thought expressed in religion, language, philosophy, literature, art, music and dance. He demonstrates that African culture, far from being doomed to destruction or homogenization under the onslaught of the West, is evolving into a rich and independent civilization that is capable of incorporating those elements of the West that do not threaten its basic values. Muntu (the Bantu word for “human”) presents an invaluable insight into the foundations of the unique and vital tapestry of cultures that compromise Africa today.

Print length

304 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Grove Press
Publication date

January 18, 1994
Dimensions

5.5 x 0.68 x 8.5 inches
ISBN-10

0802132081
ISBN-13

978-0802132086
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Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

In this insightful study, Jahn surveys the whole range of traditional and modern African thought expressed in religion, language, philosophy, literature, art, music, and dance. He demonstrates that African culture is evolving into a rich and independent civilization that is capable of incorporating those elements of the West that do not threaten its basic values.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Grove Press; Reprint edition (January 18, 1994)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0802132081
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0802132086
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.2 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.68 x 8.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #809,500 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #145 in Central Africa History
- #157 in History of Ethnic & Tribal Religions
- #3,241 in Cultural Anthropology (Books)

Customer Reviews:
27 ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

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mftaggfreeze

African Culture easily understood

Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2013

Verified Purchase

I was referred to this book by a video I watched by Professor James Smalls. I have been on a diligent search to discover the history and culture of my people (Africans). MUNTU put in perspective the intricate world of African culture and philosophy. The writer makes a link between several African peoples and shows the shared basis of their beliefs and practices, from dance to literature.

Most people who have ventured to make a study of Africa always take a European perspective. Janheinz Jahn looks purely into the African prospective.

3 people found this helpful

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Elder George

Overly intellectualized, but did accomplish its purpose

Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2014

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Very informative, even enlightening, but written in the European intellectual vein making it difficult to understand and "feel". It clearly shows the Western attempt to stamp out all forms of spirituality, and the efforts on indigenous people to retain their inherent understanding and practice of matters spiritual.

Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2011

Verified Purchase

I was introduced to this book by Fred Smith, a TA in a Black Studies English class at Berkeley in 1970. It remains one of the cherished treasures in my library. A milestone in my self-discovery and emotional development.

5 people found this helpful

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Ruth

Probably good, but it is intimidating to start reading--the letters ...

Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2015

Verified Purchase

Probably good, but it is intimidating to start reading--the letters are so small and the book seems so dense! I havent even started it.

Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2014

Good book

African Culture for the Westerner

Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2012

This book does two remarkable things: it gets below the surface of African culture, and it translates some important African philosophical concepts into terms Westerners can understand. The discussion of "ntu" and the basic categories that derive from it is masterful, laying out the essential principles of an African world-view (though it is a bit complex at times and merits more than one reading). The discussion of "nommo"--in the beginning was the "Word", how naming and incantation are basic to an African's approach to creation--has universal value beyond simply understanding African culture. This book doesn't describe African culture, like so many others: it explains it.

One caveat, if you're coming to this book hoping to find a link between African and African-American culture, you'll be disappointed. All you'll get is the image, detailed by the author, of Richard Wright standing dejectedly in Ghana bemoaning the utter foreigness of it all. According to the author, African-Americans are Western, Africans are not. On the other hand, the author has examined African culture in a way that makes it very approachable to any Westerner, and he is actually opening more doors than he is closing.

One criticism, the book tends to take features of particular cultures and expand them into "African" culture: so the "ntu" discussion is based on language and concepts from peoples in the area of Rwanda/Kenya though it serves as a basis for a discussion of "the" African world view. Same thing with the chapter on talking drums, which actually are specific to Nigeria, Ghana, that other countries on the west coast. But at least this gives the reader a starting point.

4 people found this helpful

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Emily Tincher

most important book I ever read

Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2001

This was a text book for a class I took at Antioch College in about 1972. I was studying African American music, poetry and dance from the avant garde jazz pianist Cecil Taylor. At that time he was at the college for one year. He assembled a jazz ensemble and taught a "black panther" of jazz philosopy. This book is a highly academic examination comparing and contrasting European and African culture.Chapters include the and the underpinnings of belief and experience that directly leads to the understandings and misunderstanding of black culture in within the white society. Recently, I took on the management of an African American singer songwriter, Gwen Avery, she was thrilled to read and understand the source of her work. During an interview for an African American magazine,"Arise". I mentioned the book and the memory caused me to order it and give it as a gift to the editors. Cecil Taylor is one of the worlds greatest minds and talents, and his gift at understanding the innovative power of the African culture lead me to a deeper understanding and appreciation of this most vibrant light of our century. The intensity of black culture, particulary in America, can be seen in the full light of the philosophy that drives the spearhead of our culture. Any one who was glued to the set during the PBS Jazz series, should read and study this text.

20 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Mr. M. Hetep

African Culture Revisited

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 11, 2009

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A book I read many moons ago and lent to a friend but never got back! The reason? The author provides great insight into the African psyche on religion, science, spirituality and philosophy and blows away the long (and still) held western notion that the African is primitive in their thinking.

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