Decolonizing African Religion: A Short History of African Religions in Western Scholarship

P'Bitek, Okot

ISBN 10: 0966020154 / ISBN 13: 9780966020151

Published by Diasporic Africa Press, 2011

About this Item

This copy has clearly been enjoyedâ expect noticeable shelf wear and some minor creases to the cover. Binding is strong, and all pages are legible. May contain previous library markings or stamps.

Seller Inventory # DBV.0966020154.A

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Decolonizing African Religion: A Short History of African Religions in Western Scholarship
• Publisher: Diasporic Africa Press
• Publication Date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0966020154
• ISBN 13: 9780966020151
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: acceptable

About this title

Synopsis

For centuries Western scholarship, and the African scholars seduced by this body of knowledge, have not been interested in African "religions" per se, but what was worse, African scholars began not to study indigenous African spirituality on its own terms but through European eyes and intellectual categories. Okot p'Bitek, who is best known for Song of Lawino, was one of the first African scholars to call attention to this situation and argue African scholars need not "Hellenize" African spiritual practices and ideas and that what we have come to think as "African religions" are European versions in African disguise. This publication, along with a new introduction by Ghanaian philosopher Kwasi Wiredu, reintroduces a classic work to a new generation, especially for those with an interest in African spiritual cultures and in need of "decolonizing" them so that they be studied, appreciated, and engaged on their own cultural and historic terms.