Title: At the Back of the Black Man's Mind: Or Notes on the Kingly Office in West Africa (Classic Reprint)
Publisher: Forgotten Books
Publication Date: 2018
Language: English
ISBN 10: 0331767031
ISBN 13: 9780331767032
Binding: HRD
Condition: New
Weight: 700 grams

About this title

Synopsis

A clear, respectful introduction to the kingly office and Bavili beliefs in West Africa, with thoughtful context for modern readers.

Discover how the Kongo coast and the Bavili people view kings, law, and sacred practice. This edition collects notes on Luango, the election and coronation of kings, and the deep ideas that shape the region’s political and religious life. It aligns history with the author’s goal of illuminating African thought for a wider audience, without oversimplifying its richness.

Structured to be read today, the work surveys history, ritual, and social rules that govern leadership and community. It offers translated materials, notes on rituals, and discussions of philosophy and psychology tied to the Bavili system. The book invites readers to consider African governance through the eyes of its own people.

Learn how leadership is chosen and celebrated in Kongo and Luango contexts
Explore the connections between law, ritual, and daily life
See how myths, symbols, and sacred places shape social order
Understand the author’s approach to presenting African thought with care and humility

Ideal for readers of anthropology, African history, and cross-cultural studies seeking a grounded, thoughtful introduction to these traditions.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

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