Religion and Myth: The Comparative Study of African Spirituality (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781977852120)

This pioneering Victorian study of comparative African religious beliefs, draws on ethnographies, folklore studies, historical and traveler's accounts. Macdonald examines in detail taboos, magic, divination, prophecy, sacrifice, sorcery, sexual practices, and the status of women. He also ties in data from Celtic, Ancient Near East, Pacific and other cultures. Particularly, he includes comparative points from his native land, Scotland. Macdonald demonstrates that there are broad similarities between African belief systems and those of other pre-industrial peoples. In his final chapter he critiques European attempts to 'civilize' Africans, by selling them useless or harmful trade goods, converting them to Christianity, or by forcing them to wear European clothes (!). He observes that Africans have just as much cultural potential as any other people, if allowed to develop on their own terms. This was a very progressive view for his time. This book will enhance any study of African spirituality.

Author: James MacDonald
ISBN-10: 1977852122
ISBN-13: 9781977852120
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Language: English
Published: 10/03/2017
Pages: 240
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.53lbs
Size: 7.99h x 5.00w x 0.51d