Product Description
This book focuses on indigenous painting traditions found on ancestral shrines of Yoruba divinities collectively known as orisa in southwestern Nigeria. The devotional activity of orisa painting often enacted in honor and veneration of departed ancestors for healing, empowerment, and transformation continues to find expression today in the creative works of contemporary artists who have been influenced by this enduring traditional art far beyond the shores of Yorubaland.Using the sacred iconography of the orisa as the basis of its critical vocabulary, the book examines sixteen shrine paintings found in rural and urban centers including paintings created by women in silence, those created in group accompanied with music and dance, those created in public by a restricted group of female painters and those created in isolation by male artists. Painting for the Gods also explores the symbolism of color focusing on the temperament and characters of the orisa. The affective qualities of color found on the shrine walls represent a means of veneration and worshiping of departed ancestors. Color employed on orisa murals as well as on wooden sculptures might provide a new touchstone for evaluating African art and suggest a model for the interpretation of other African art objects. Among the Yoruba color makes things happen. This book demonstrates the dynamic ways in which color is consciously applied thereby offering a unique lens for interpretation, grounded in the specific traditions of artistic cultures that might be applicable cross-culturally. In Painting for the gods: art and aesthetics of Yoruba religious murals, Bolaji Campbell sheds brilliant light on the sacred shrine paintings by Yoruba women.A little known art form that celebrates the Yoruba deities (orisha), these paintings have been overshadowed until now by widely admired Yoruba sculpture.Although Campbell grew up in a world where these shrine paintings and orisha worship existed, it was not until he was an art student that he looked at them with a fresh eye as a rich field for investigation into the connections between verbal and visual arts.He explores the aesthetics, iconography, and symbolism of this elusive and ephemeral but deeply religious mural art.Symbolism of colors and their relationships with the orisha are central themes of this study, as are the processes of periodic renewal of the paintings and associated rituals.Yourba shrine paintings, traditionally a women's art, have attracted and influenced men artists, and Campbell explores this phenomenon.Painting for the gods is highly recommended for all those interested in women artists, religious painting, Yoruba religion, and African art.Janet L. Stanley, Warren M. Robbins Library, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC ... Read more

Book Description
First published in 1921, and cited on the Africa's Best 100 Books List, this is a standard work on the history of theYorubas from the earliest times to the beginning of the British Protectorate. The first part of the book discusses the people, theircountry and language, religion, government, land law, manners and customs. The second part is divided into four periods, dealing first with mytheological kings and deified heroes; with the growth, prosperity and oppression of the Yoruba people; the time of revolutionary wars and disruption; and, finally, the arrest of disintegration, inter-tribal wars, and the coming of the British. There are two appendices, on dealing with treaties and agreements, the other giving tables of Yoruba kings, rulers, and chiefs. The book also includes an index and map of the Yoruba country. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A classic work
The author of this classic work is not to be confused with Samuel Johnson (1709-84), the English essayist, poet, and lexicographer usually known as "Dr Johnson".This Samuel Johnson (1846-1901) was an Anglican vicar of African descent.He was born in Freetown, Sierra Leone, but spent his adult life in Nigeria. His peace-efforts in the 1870s contributed to the eventual end of the Yoruba wars in 1886.

In 1880 Samuel Johnson became a deacon and was ordained a vicar in 1888.Claiming Yoruba ancestry, he was concerned that his people were losing their own history and completed the original manuscript of his history of the Yoruba people from his notes in 1897.Whether by accident or design, this completed manuscript was sadly lost.However, after his death, his brother, Dr Obadiah Johnson, produced this work from his notes.It was at last published in 1921.Unfortunately, Obadiah died in 1920 so neither he nor Samuel saw the finished product.

It remains a key resource for the understanding of Yoruba history.

Great Book
There are considerably information about Yoruba's History and Religion.
If you are a priest or worshipper of Orixa , you need to buy this book.

Monumentof the Age to come!
This book is one of the foundation materials that informs the depth of the Omoluabi Matrix. Inbetween the pages of this volume we can trace the concept of Omoluabi civilzation which is the single factor responsible for the continued survival and advancement of our race. Ignoring the obvious Oyo bias of the author this resource material alongside others, details the incontrovertible evidence of an ancient African civilization on which the principles of democracy could rest. It details the cultural concepts that helped to overcome the colonial beast and gives a name to terrorism in ancient times. The only draw back is that the book did not investigate the insidious root of the word "Yoruba" - an abusive 18th century coinage of ancient terrorists. The original Olukumi tag would have furthered the cause of our national reawakening.

Yoruba History
I remember reading this book when I was in secondary school over 25 years ago and I can still recall how amazed I was to discover that we Yorubas had organized govermental inititutions.I found out why we as a people are so defragmented, the origin of the Yoruba people and different tribes, the power and might of various tribal empires.I don't think there is another book that has this amount of detail regarding the Yoruba people.Now I need a copy for my library and is now difficult to get hold of.

Ayo Sotunbo's Review
Any student of political history will be forced to acknowlege the explicit and almost accurate records collected by Samuel Johnson in this book. The book has a vivid picture of a generation of Yoruba Nationhood within Nigerian Nationality, prior to the British invation and colonalization of Nigeria, Yoruba had been a Nation with an institutionalized government and there is no better place to understand and assess this form of government except in this book, the book is a bag of history, politics and culture of a nation called The Yorubas, it is one of the best book to describe the politics of government in which history defines the terms and culture of power dictates the order. ... Read more

Book Description
In the quest to promote "universal knowledge" and create Western institutions in Africa, the intellectual contributions of Africans without university certificates or connections to the academy have been maligned, ignored or slighted. Yet, as Toyin Falola's book points out, there are African scholars and thinkers without academic credentials doing important works. Here is a book that shows that intellectual contributions need not be divorced from the concerns of local communities or deliberately promote narrative inequality and distance. ... Read more

Book Description
The sights and sounds of the Yor~b· cosmos are made manifest through the pervasive use of beads. This spectacular book represents a collaboration between art historian Henry John Drewal and Yor~b· priest John Mason. From the forests of Africa a thousand years ago to the bustling cities of New York, Havana, and Salvador, today, Yor~b· religion has used beads to convey the artistic spirit and deep connection to the other world that its practitioners feel. This beautifully illustrated volume traces the history of the beads, their use, and Yor~b· aesthetics and artistry. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Amazing book. A must have.
This book is packed with beautiful pictures and info. I loved it. especially the Ochun crown, fan, and ide, made by James Norman. All of the artist in this book should be praised for this amazing art.The exhibit was amazing too. We need more books and exhibits like this. My words can't begin to describe the beautiful orisha beadwork in this book, you really have to see it yourself.

A Great Book from an Interesting Exhibit
I bought this book after going to the museum exhibit which it documents.The book is full of useful information about Santeria/Orisha theology and philosophy.The pictures are beautiful.It is worth buying if you have aninterest in Regla de Ocha or Yoruba religion and art. ... Read more

Book Description
With a population of about thirty million, the Yoruba people constitute one of the largest single ethnic group in sub-Saharan Africa. They are internationally acclaimed for their high art, complex system of government, religion, and philosophy.

This multi-authored book written by distinguished scholars like Ayo Bamgbose, Toyin Falola, Stephen Akintoye, Omofolabo Soyinka-Ajayi, Emmanuel Babatunde, H.O. Danmole, Akinbiyi Akinlabi, and Agbo Folarin, is the first of its kind to cover all the important topics and issues in Yoruba culture. Who were the early Yoruba? Where did they come from? What is Yoruba society like? What is the role of women in the society? What is the nature of their art forms? What is Yoruba philosophy? These questions and many more are answered in this significant book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Best textbook available on Yoruba Civilization
In this text, written by Yoruba scholars, we are given scholarly information on the origins of Yoruba Civilization in Southwestern Nigeria and the Benin Republic from both the archeaological evidence and the traditional historians of Yoruba Civilization.

Also included alongside state formation is the religion of the Yoruba and how it is related to the origin of the Yoruba.

Though the medieval Yoruba states are thought to have been established around the year 1100 CE, Yoruba culture is surely older, with roots in the Nok Civilization of Central Nigeria which thrived between 900 BCE and 200 CE.It would of been better if the authors discussed more of the origins of the Yoruba but it is still a good introduction to the culture as a whole. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (1)

The Gelede Spectacle
Gave as a gift.I was informed that it was very good. ... Read more