African Religion Defined, Third Edition

by Anthony Ephirim-Donkor

This edition updates the scholarship on ancestor worship—with the addition of three new chapters. Beginning with Akan theology and ending with sacrifices, the study examines Akan conception of God, the abosom (gods and goddesses) relative to creation, centrality of the ancestors’ stool as the ultimate religious symbol housing the soul of the Akan, and organized annual propitiatory festivities carried out among the Akan in honor of the ancestors (Nananom Nsamanfo) and abosom. The book, therefore, serves as an invaluable resource for those interested in the phenomenon of African religion, because it provides real insight into ancestor worship in ways that are meaningful, practical, systematic, and as a way of life by an Akan Traditional ruler (Ↄdikro) and a professor of Africana studies.

266 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Kodi Frost · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting look at the Akan. The book itself go back and forth, and often contradicts itself, but I find that is the case with most books about lesser known religions. I would recommend this for anyone interested in an inside look at life in Ghana, especially since it gives a lot of comparisons to many better known cultures like ancient Egypt, Christianity, and Islam.