San Spirituality: Roots, Expression, and Social Consequences (African Archaeology) - Hardcover

Lewis-Williams, David J.; Pearce, D. G.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 075910431X ISBN 13: 9780759104310

Publisher: AltaMira Press, 2004

Synopsis

At 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.

About this title

About the Author

Lewis-Williams and Pearce are at the Rock Art Reseach Institute of the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa

Edition details

• Publisher: AltaMira Press
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 075910431X
• ISBN 13: 9780759104310
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 296