San Spirituality: Roots, Expression, and Social ConsequencesAt the intersection between western culture and Africa, we find the San people of the Kalahari desert. Once called Bushmen, the San have survived many characterizations_from pre-human animals by the early European colonials, to aboriginal conservationists in perfect harmony with nature by recent New Age adherents. Neither caricature does justice to the complex world view of the San. Eminent anthropologists David Lewis-Williams and David Pearce present instead a balanced view of the spiritual life of this much-studied people, examining the interplay of their cosmology, myth, ritual, and art. Integrating archaeological finds, historical accounts, ethnographic information, and interpretation of rock art, the authors discuss San cosmic geography, the role of shamans and mind-altering substances, the ritual of the trance dance, the legends reproduced on stone, and other intriguing accounts of other-worldly experiences. From this, Lewis-Williams and Pearce illuminate the world view of the San, how it plays out in their society, and how it has been challenged and altered by the modern world. For students of anthropology, archaeology, religion, and African studies, this volume will be essential and fascinating reading. |
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San Spirituality: Roots, Expression, and Social Consequences J. David Lewis-Williams,David G. Pearce No preview available - 2004 |
Common terms and phrases
activities Africa altered animal appear artifacts associated become beliefs Biesele Bleek body burials camp Cape cave changes chapter communities complex consciousness cosmos crystals culture dance Deacon dead depict described early eland enter evidence example experience explain figure grave ground groups head Howieson's Poort human hunting images important Industry instance Kaggen Kalahari Khoisan known Later Lewis-Williams Lions living look Mantis Marshall material means meat metaphors Middle Middle Stone Age myth Nguni past person potency present probably quartz question rain rain-animal recent relations relationship remains researchers ritual rock art rock painting rock shelter San rock seems seen shamans significance similar social society South southern southern Africa spirit world spiritual Stone Age suggest symbolic things tion transformations transition understand University
Bibliographic information
| Title | San Spirituality: Roots, Expression, and Social Consequences Volume 6 of African archaeology series G - Reference, Information and Interdisciplinary Subjects Series |
| Authors | Douglas G. Pearce, J. David Lewis-Williams, David G. Pearce |
| Edition | illustrated |
| Publisher | Rowman Altamira, 2004 |
| ISBN | 0759104328, 9780759104327 |
| Length | 267 pages |
| Subjects | › Religion / Ethnic & Tribal Social Science / Archaeology |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |