Using the Akan in Ghana as a paradigmatic African representative group, African Spirituality: On Becoming Ancestors, Third Edition offers a unique African developmental praxis to eternal life immortality. Indeed, this way of life is predicated on the awareness and application of certain intrinsic values, which, if followed, lead to eternal life. As a way of living, African spirituality begins when an individual becomes morally and ethically responsible for one’s own actions while engaged on an ethical path (Ɔbra Bↄ) in pursuance of one’s unique career endeavor (Nkrabea). Though an individual quest, society is, however, the arbiter of one’s ethical and moral life, when society confers on the person adjudged a success the stage title of Nana. At old age, Ɔbra Bↄ ends as an active endeavor. However, as repositories of wisdom, senior elders continue to inculcate in succeeding generations the principles, art, and mastery of ideal life (Ɔbra pa). Then upon death, senior elders are transformed into deities, bequeathing to living descendants names worthy of evocation and worship. Indeed, this book is the first study of its kind to draw on the experiences of an entire people, their psychological dispositions and effects on the Akan during adulthood. Thus, this book brings a unique perspective to the study of spirituality, religion, developmental psychological theory, what it means to achieve perfection as an elder on earth, and upon death join the esteemed company of the Nananom Nsamanfo (Ancestors).

This book connects traditional religions to the thriving religious activity in Africa today.

As Africa moves into the 21st century it faces new spiritual, social, and economic challenges.

To penetrate the complex domain of African Spirituality is a task that demands personal contact with the living votaries of the traditional religion.It needs extra patience, commitment and an open mind to listen and understand the deep and immense spiritual powers that guide and direct African thought and action. The most important channel to use is to explore the African myths, which the Africans use enormously to express their philosophical, theological, cosmological and moral wisdom and values. Professor Onunwa has attempted to give a fresh insight into this complex domain of African studies. He has taught in universities and theological colleges in Nigeria, Tanzania, UK and India. Among his published works are Studies in Igbo Religion (1990), African Spirituality (1992 - Revised and Enlarged,2005), Selected Themes in African Religion and Culture (2000), Studies in African Religion and Culture: A Critique of Methodologies (2002 - reprinted 2004), Proclaiming Christ in all Cultures (2003), Studies in African Religion and Culture: A Critique of Methodologies (200

In his widely acclaimed survey, John Mbiti sheds light on the survival and prosperity of African Religion in different historical, geographical, sociological, cultural, and physical environments. He presents a constellation of African worldviews, beliefs in God, use of symbols, valued traditions, and practices that have taken root with African peoples throughout the vast continent. Mbiti’s accessible writing style sympathetically portrays how African Religion manifests itself in ritual, festival, healing, the human life cycle, and interplay with the mystical and invisible world. The account embraces foundational traditions, while touching on elements that spawn transitions, including migration, the spread of Christianity and Islam, political-economic development, and modern communication. This popular introduction leaves readers with informed knowledge of the riches of African heritage.

These stories are a form of advanced technology that was developed by African Sages. They are rich in symbolism and coded messaging. The Book of African Spirituality is an advanced form of storytelling.When you read the stories, they imprint your mind with the wisdom that story represents. It is not just about knowing the story, although that is important too - but the symbols and verses invoke something wonderful deep within. They are actually alive. They are living wisdom passed down through many generations like a family heirloom.They are not just imbued with meaning. They are impregnated with vitality and function. A function that arises from their wisdom.The stories are a living heritage. A living body of truth. A living image of the Hidden Intelligence - known as Neter. They carry in them an advanced technology that when fully understood unlocks the true "Knowledge of Self" that African Sages such as Imhotep, were teaching.

"Addresses a real need: a scholarly and ritually informed reading of spirituality in the work of a major African American author. No other work catalogues so thoroughly the grounding of Morrison's work in African cosmogonies. Zauditu-Selassie's many readings of Ba Kongo and Yoruba spiritual presence in Morrison's work are incomparably detailed and generally convincing."--Keith Cartwright, University of North Florida Toni Morrison herself has long urged for organic critical readings of her works. K. Zauditu-Selassie delves deeply into African spiritual traditions, clearly explaining the meanings of African cosmology and epistemology as manifest in Morrison's novels. The result is a comprehensive, tour-de-force critical investigation of such works as The Bluest Eye, Sula, Song of Solomon, Tar Baby, Paradise, Love, Beloved, and Jazz. While others have studied the African spiritual ideas and values encoded in Morrison's work, African Spiritual Traditions in the Novels of Toni Morrison is the most comprehensive. Zauditu-Selassie explores a wide range of complex concepts, including African deities, ancestral ideas, spiritual archetypes, mythic trope, and lyrical prose representing African spiritual continuities. Zauditu-Selassie is uniquely positioned to write this book, as she is not only a literary critic but also a practicing Obatala priest in the Yoruba spiritual tradition and a Mama Nganga in the Kongo spiritual system. She analyzes tensions between communal and individual values and moral codes as represented in Morrison's novels. She also uses interviews with and nonfiction written by Morrison to further build her critical paradigm.