Kings Priests And Kinsmen Essays On Ga Culture And Society

This collection of E. A. Ammah's ethnographic writing includes essays, some poetry, and other documents. Created over four decades, these pieces cover a wide range of topics including Ga culture in comparative perspective, Ga social organization, Ga political structure and history, Ga life transition ceremonies, and Ga religion. The collection provides a unique cultural insider's twentieth century perspective on Ga society and history.

This Handbook provides a robust collection of vibrant discourses on African social ethics and ethical practices. It focuses on how the ethical thoughts of Africans are forged within the context of everyday life, and how in turn ethical and philosophical thoughts inform day-to-day living. The essays frame ethics as a historical phenomenon best examined as a historical movement, the dynamic ethos of a people, rather than as a theoretical construct. It thereby offers a bold, incisive, and fresh interpretation of Africa’s ethical life and thought.

The deepest and most significant aspect of the heritage of any nation lies in her people. A peoples dignity, worth and value can be measured by their human resources. More important than mineral wealth, more significant than financial capital and of more value than land and property, are the leaders of thought and character, that a communal or social group can lay claim to. Towering above the tallest buildings, reaching deeper than the roots of ancient trees, are societys icons, doyens of a peoples life and culture. Often unrecognized in their lifetime, sometimes vilified or else silenced by political forces, these persons represent a peoples legacy and gift to humankind. Such was Dr. Ephraim Amu, native of Peki Avetile, son of West Africas Gold Coast, scholar, teacher, musician, ethicist, and preacher.In this book, Prof. Laryea has by careful and detailed research, rendered an invaluable service to posterity in unearthing and making available the life, works and public speeches of Dr Ephraim Amu. Thoughtfully selecting over sixty of Amus sermons spanning a period of 50 years (1937 - 1986), Laryea enables us to more deeply enter the inner thoughts and expressions of one of Ghanas most illustrious sons, thus allowing us into the veritable engine room of the composer of Ghanas national song, Yn ara asase ni, crafted by Amu in 1929. In doing so he has also opened up and thrown light upon very significant periods in the nations history.

GaDangmes of Ghana claim through oral history that they are descendants of ancient Hebrew Israelites. They refer to themselves as Yudafoi, meaning they are Jews. This book traces the origins of GaDangmes and their migration from ancient Israel, following the attack of Israel by the Assyrians to their present abode in Ghana. The ancestors of the GaDangmes were ruled by Wulomei (The High Priesthood). The book discusses GaDangme custom and traditions, including the Homowo Festival, Otufo/Dipo, circumcision, and outdooring (sanctification) of the child after birth. These traditions and customs of GaDangmes are of Hebraic origins. GaDangmes names are like genetic markers and are scattered throughout The Old Testament. Some of the names of their towns and villages bear Hebrew names. Tamar Kemp describes the GaDangmes of Ghana as descendants of authentic biblical Hebrew/Israelites whose ancestors once reigned supreme in the motherland. Joseph Nii Abekar Mensah, PhD., is currently a clinical/educational consultant with Progressive Learning Institute & Counselling Services in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Dr. Mensah is the founder of GaDangme Heritage & Cultural Foundation. Born and raised in Accra (Ganyobi), Ghana, the author pursued studies in applied biology in London, England, with specialization in pharmacology. He also holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in psychology and in education. "I had always wanted to know why my people call themselves 'Gamei, ' meaning 'Ga people.' I learned they are of Hebrew Israelite origins, possibly from the tribes of Gad and Dan." Publisher's website: http: //sbpra.com/JosephNiiAbekarMensah

Editing and examining source-critically for the first time the Late Babylonian ritual texts dealing with the New Year Festival, this book proposes an incisive re-interpretation of the most frequently discussed of all Mesopotamian rituals.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

This concise and accessible introduction establishes the relevance of cultural anthropology for the modern world through an integrated, ethnographically informed approach. The book develops readers’ understanding and engagement by addressing key issues such as: What it means to be human The key characteristics of culture as a concept Relocation and dislocation of peoples The conflict between political, social and ethnic boundaries The concept of economic anthropology Cultural Anthropology: 101 includes case studies from both classic and contemporary ethnography, as well as a comprehensive bibliography and index. It is an essential guide for students approaching this fascinating field for the first time.

Purity and Danger is acknowledged as a modern masterpiece of anthropology. It is widely cited in non-anthropological works and gave rise to a body of application, rebuttal and development within anthropology. In 1995 the book was included among the Times Literary Supplement's hundred most influential non-fiction works since WWII. Incorporating the philosophy of religion and science and a generally holistic approach to classification, Douglas demonstrates the relevance of anthropological enquiries to an audience outside her immediate academic circle. She offers an approach to understanding rules of purity by examining what is considered unclean in various cultures. She sheds light on the symbolism of what is considered clean and dirty in relation to order in secular and religious, modern and primitive life.