Dreaming, religion, and society in Africa
By: edited by M.C. Jȩdrej and Rosalind Shaw.
Contributors: Jȩdrej, M. C.; Shaw, Rosalind.
Series: Studies on religion in Africa,; 7
Publisher: E.J. Brill
Published: 1992
Place of publication: Leiden; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 194
Subjects: Dreams.; Africans -- Psychology.; Dreams -- Religious aspects.; Africa, Sub-Saharan -- Religious life and customs.
Description: The contributors to this investigation of dreaming in a diversity of African cultures and settings have each approached the matter with a respect for an indigenous discourse which does not necessarily subscribe to Western evaluations of the objective and subjective. The matter of dreaming is not so much a psychological constant as ultimately sociological and historical. Dream discourse as a strategy deploys contingencies in the elaboration of social relationships and the defence, restoration and promotion of identities. Dreaming is therefore prominent in such critical settings as sickness and healing, artistic inspiration and craftwork, election to religious office, conversion to Islam or Christianity.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.