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About the Author
Carol Beckwith and Angela Fisher have been photographing Africa for over 30 years. Together and separately they have produced several widely acclaimed, award-winning books. Their work has appeared in National Geographic, Time, LIFE, People, The New York Times, and elsewhere. Beckwith and Fisher lecture frequently around the world, and live in London when not traveling. Malidoma Patrice Some teaches, lectures, and conducts workshops in initiation rituals and shamanism around the world, and has published several books. He lives in Oakland, CA.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
having been to a few african states on holiday - i have seen some of these ceremonies. the book is beautifully illustrated, and although expensive - it is well worth the money.i only wish that i could have been there also to help with the research and photography.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By DM Webster
Format:Hardcover
Beautiful photos with clear explanations and informative essays based on six main areas: birth and initiation, courtship and marriage, royalty and power, seasonal rites, beliefs and worship, and spirits and ancestors. It also comes with a CD of sounds so you can read the book and listen to the appropriate vocals too! Beware- this book shows photos of circumcision rites for men and women that some may find disturbing. Having said this it is not exploitative. Another point if you've already got Faces of Africa by Beckwith and Fisher- there are some repetitions of photos but in glossier and bigger form!
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
Having travelled through and worked in about 15 African countries over the last 2 decades, I can honestly say this is the best ever documentation of the tremendous diversity and richness of the African culture that is very very meaningful but neglected and at stake. The German edition has just been launched. It is a "heavy" doc and a masterpiece of historical value. A documentation that I will consult once and again. It takes the reader into a world of feelings and social concepts that are typically African in their appearance but reflect basic concepts of human relations.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By G. I. Forbes
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This excellent pictorial book is a follow up of the authors previous book African Ark. It is a concise version of the origional 2 volume edition which covered 93 ceremonies in 26 countries but this book is limited to 36 ceremonies in 18 countries.
The ceremonies are divided into 6 groups -1)birth and initiation,2)courtship and marriage,3)royalty and power,4)seasonal rites,5)beliefs and worship and 6)spirits and ancestors.Each section has a good text which explains the ceremonies.
The pictures in general are very good but a few are overexposed.There is a comprehensive bibliography and a CD of traditional and cereminial Africian music.
The ceremonies are divided into 6 groups -1)birth and initiation,2)courtship and marriage,3)royalty and power,4)seasonal rites,5)beliefs and worship and 6)spirits and ancestors.Each section has a good text which explains the ceremonies.
The pictures in general are very good but a few are overexposed.There is a comprehensive bibliography and a CD of traditional and cereminial Africian music.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A fast disappearing world being tarmaced over with western notions of "development" and systematically being wiped out with HIV/Aids, TB and malaria. Then of course there is the pounding of the Bible.
Old rituals, beliefs handed down, preserved and reconfigured anew in festivals of colour and passion are captured by the lens. These are cultures where art is not consigned to be studied in an alienated gaze in glass cased museums. This art is embodied in everyday life. It exists in the scuptures, shields, coffins, dress sense, dancing and the beliefs.
The forms expressed here are the basis of Cubism, not its rational for existence, but note the difference. Here it is adorned in household objects, not locked away with dollars attached.
Sure there are no trappings of civilisation "BMW, X Factor, house prices, computer IT, porn and street violence". There is the ever constant fear of disease, being chained to a community, knowing how exactly your life will unfold. However a human spirit exists that lies beyond is brought out in these photos. This is somewhat missing from Vogue idealisation of beauty and the esteemed country life. It is no wonder Leni surrendered the West and went to live with the Nuba.
These pictures are the antithesis of all the portrayals of Oxfam and Newsnight with malnourished people awaiting aid western donors. This highlights how people have existed in vibrant cultures for eons and the vivid lives they have lead.
The photographs have crystal clarity, with full colour intensity as life parades in a riot of passion. Buy it before it becomes swamped in Citalopram.
Old rituals, beliefs handed down, preserved and reconfigured anew in festivals of colour and passion are captured by the lens. These are cultures where art is not consigned to be studied in an alienated gaze in glass cased museums. This art is embodied in everyday life. It exists in the scuptures, shields, coffins, dress sense, dancing and the beliefs.
The forms expressed here are the basis of Cubism, not its rational for existence, but note the difference. Here it is adorned in household objects, not locked away with dollars attached.
Sure there are no trappings of civilisation "BMW, X Factor, house prices, computer IT, porn and street violence". There is the ever constant fear of disease, being chained to a community, knowing how exactly your life will unfold. However a human spirit exists that lies beyond is brought out in these photos. This is somewhat missing from Vogue idealisation of beauty and the esteemed country life. It is no wonder Leni surrendered the West and went to live with the Nuba.
These pictures are the antithesis of all the portrayals of Oxfam and Newsnight with malnourished people awaiting aid western donors. This highlights how people have existed in vibrant cultures for eons and the vivid lives they have lead.
The photographs have crystal clarity, with full colour intensity as life parades in a riot of passion. Buy it before it becomes swamped in Citalopram.
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