Book

Dahomey, an ancient West African kingdom: volume 2

Northwestern University PressEvanston [Ill.] • Published In 1967 • Pages:

By: Herskovits, Melville J. (Melville Jean).

Abstract
A sequel to the author’s description of salient features of Dahomey culture and polity, this book focuses on the complex links between Dahomean concepts the world and religiosity with the inner workings of the political systems. Herskovits discusses these links with detailed data on the organization of administrative, judicial, and royal institutions and control on one hand, and the determining powers of Dahomean concepts of god and religiosity on the other. Other aspects of cultures covered in this volume include visual arts (mostly limited to religious graphic arts and magical objects), folklore, music and dances.
Subjects
Form and rules of government
Chief executive
Community structure
General character of religion
Spirits and gods
Animism
Cosmology
Mythology
Cult of the dead
Visual arts
Verbal arts
Prayers and sacrifices
Music
Musical instruments
Dance
Organized ceremonial
Revelation and divination
Magic
culture
Fon
HRAF PubDate
2016
Region
Africa
Sub Region
Western Africa
Document Type
Book
Evaluation
Creator Type
Anthropologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Teferi Abate Adem
Field Date
1931
Coverage Date
1845-1931
Coverage Place
Benin (Dahomey)
Notes
[by] Melville J. Herskovits
Reprint of the 1938 ed.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 373-376)
LCCN
67031811
LCSH
Fon (African people)
Ethnology--Benin
Benin