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To: alt.magick.tyagi,alt.lucky.w
From: catherine yronwode 
Subject: African Divination systems
Date: Sat, 09 Sep 2000 21:35:50 GMT

Forwarded by cat --

~From: Eoghan Ballard 
~Newsgroups:  alt.religion.orisha
~Subject:  Re: Sand divination
~Date: Fri, 08 Sep 2000 15:25:34 -0400
Organization: University of Pennsylvania

For those seriously interested in expanding their awareness about the 
discussion on the origins of various methods of divination in Western 
and Northern Africa here are a few initial titles that are worth
looking  at. They by no means cover the full subject. It is an
international phenomenon as virtually every system of divination found
in West Africa is practiced in various forms by more than one ethnic
group. 

As we are talking about the distribution and history of systems here, I
am not including titles focusing on the application of divination
systems. That is a different sort of knowledge and one which does not
require a concern with or knowledge of the history of the system. Just
as one would not turn to these authors for practical tips on divination
(which is best learned directly from a teacher and in many systems can
only be learned that way), books intended to provide or augment
practical skills seldom are good sources for uncovering the history of a
particular system. At best they usually describe the traditional 
understanding of the origins of the system. These have a spiritual truth
but are not infrequently historically inaccurate.

Bascom, William Russell,  
Ifa Divination, Communication Between Gods and Men in West Africa   
Bloomington, Indiana University Press, [1969].

Charmasson, ThÈrËse. 
Recherches sur une technique divinatoire: la gÈomancie dans l'Occident
mÈdiÈval. 
GenËve : Droz ; Paris : H. Champion, 1980.

Danfulani, Umar Habila Dadem. 
Pebbles and Deities: Pa Divination Among the Ngas, Mupun, and Mwaghavul
in Nigeria  
New York : P. Lang, c1995.

Diarra, Nyamaton. 
The Artfulness of M'Fa Jigi: an Interview with Nyamaton Diarra 
translated, edited and with an introduction by Sarah Brett-Smith; 
recorded and conducted by Adama Mara. 
Madison : African Studies Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison,
1996.

Ogbaa, Kalu.  
Gods, Oracles and Divination: Folkways 
Trenton, N.J. : Africa World Press, 1992.

Skinner, Stephen: 
Terrestrial Astrology: Divination by Geomancy
1980
This is the only complete history in English of the art of divination by
earth or sand, which is so called from the Arabs' tendency to make the
marks in sand. The author draws on material from Latin, French, German &
Arabic sources, shows the influence of Islamic geomancy in Africa as
well as Medieval & Renaissance Europe. He also examines its use in the
occult & astrological revival of the 19th century, followed by its 
declining influence. He gives explanations on the practice,
manipulation, and generation of geomantic figures with examples &
interpretations.

-Eoghan

Tata Nganga Nsasi Endoqui Malongo Quimbisa

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Forwarded by cat --

From: Eoghan Ballard 
Newsgroups:  alt.religion.orisha
Subject:  Re: Sand divination
Date: Fri, 08 Sep 2000 15:25:34 -0400
Organization: University of Pennsylvania

For those seriously interested in expanding their awareness about the 
discussion on the origins of various methods of divination in Western 
and Northern Africa here are a few initial titles that are worth
looking  at. They by no means cover the full subject. It is an
international phenomenon as virtually every system of divination found
in West Africa is practiced in various forms by more than one ethnic
group. 

As we are talking about the distribution and history of systems here, I
am not including titles focusing on the application of divination
systems. That is a different sort of knowledge and one which does not
require a concern with or knowledge of the history of the system. Just
as one would not turn to these authors for practical tips on divination
(which is best learned directly from a teacher and in many systems can
only be learned that way), books intended to provide or augment
practical skills seldom are good sources for uncovering the history of a
particular system. At best they usually describe the traditional 
understanding of the origins of the system. These have a spiritual truth
but are not infrequently historically inaccurate.

Bascom, William Russell,  
Ifa Divination, Communication Between Gods and Men in West Africa   
Bloomington, Indiana University Press, [1969].

Charmasson, ThÈrËse. 
Recherches sur une technique divinatoire: la gÈomancie dans l'Occident
mÈdiÈval. 
GenËve : Droz ; Paris : H. Champion, 1980.

Danfulani, Umar Habila Dadem. 
Pebbles and Deities: Pa Divination Among the Ngas, Mupun, and Mwaghavul
in Nigeria  
New York : P. Lang, c1995.

Diarra, Nyamaton. 
The Artfulness of M'Fa Jigi: an Interview with Nyamaton Diarra 
translated, edited and with an introduction by Sarah Brett-Smith; 
recorded and conducted by Adama Mara. 
Madison : African Studies Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison,
1996.

Ogbaa, Kalu.  
Gods, Oracles and Divination: Folkways 
Trenton, N.J. : Africa World Press, 1992.

Skinner, Stephen: 
Terrestrial Astrology: Divination by Geomancy
1980
This is the only complete history in English of the art of divination by
earth or sand, which is so called from the Arabs' tendency to make the
marks in sand. The author draws on material from Latin, French, German &
Arabic sources, shows the influence of Islamic geomancy in Africa as
well as Medieval & Renaissance Europe. He also examines its use in the
occult & astrological revival of the 19th century, followed by its 
declining influence. He gives explanations on the practice,
manipulation, and generation of geomantic figures with examples &
interpretations.

-Eoghan

Tata Nganga Nsasi Endoqui Malongo Quimbisa