Divining the Self: A Study in Yoruba Myth and Human Consciousness: 1 (Signifying (on) Scriptures) - Softcover

Love, Velma E.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0271054069 ISBN 13: 9780271054063

Publisher: Penn State University Press, 2012

Synopsis

Divining the Self weaves elements of personal narrative, myth, history, and interpretive analysis into a vibrant tapestry that reflects the textured, embodied, and performative nature of scripture and scripturalizing practices. Velma Love examines the Odu—the Yoruba sacred scriptures—along with the accompanying mythology, philosophy, and ritual technologies engaged by African Americans. Drawing from the personal narratives of African American Ifa practitioners along with additional ethnographic fieldwork conducted in Oyotunji African Village, South Carolina, and New York City, Love’s work explores the ways in which an ancient worldview survives in modern times. Divining the Self also takes up the challenge of determining what it means for the scholar of religion to study scripture as both text and performance. This work provides an excellent case study of the sociocultural phenomenon of scripturalizing practices.

About this title

About the Author

Velma E. Love is Project Director of the Howard University School of Divinity's National Study of Black Congregational Life.

Edition details

• Publisher: Penn State University Press
• Publication date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0271054069
• ISBN 13: 9780271054063
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 158