African Gods: Contemporary Rituals and Beliefs

by Daniel Laine, Tobie Nathan (Introduction), Anne Stamm (Contributor)

In African cultures, the spiritual and the physical exist in close communion. This relationship explains many aspects of African societies. The connection between the natural and the supernatural, the visible and the invisible, and the human and the divine, is maintained in a state of equilibrium through prayer and ritual. These representations of the divine forces on Earth occupy a central place in African society. Juju priests, shamans, and healers are not only the guardians of tradition, but also the pillars of African civilizations. They serve as doctors, priests, performers, and teachers. As mediums between the spiritual and the earthly worlds, they embody the soul of Africa itself. Daniel Laine presents a vivid photographic portrayal of these men and women as they perform exorcisms, dances, and other rituals of African mysticism. Detailed captions elucidate the vivid photographs and an introduction places these traditions into context. A spiritual journey through twelve African countries (Nigeria, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Benin, Togo, Guinea, Cameroon, Ghana, Mali, Congo, Gabon and Uganda), African Gods is as visually stunning as it is enlightening.

192 pages, Hardcover

First published October 9, 2007