Publisher Description

The first comparative account of West African psychological beliefs regarding the soul, and the spiritual powers of man and animals.

Author Biography

Professor Edward Geoffrey Simons Parrinder was educated at Richmond College (London) and Faculte Libre de Theologie Protestante (Montpellier). He became Professor of Comparative Study of Religions, at King's College (University of London). He is also the author of West African Religion (1949), African Ideas of God (1961), Religion in Africa (1969), Avatar and Incarnation (1970), The Indestructible Soul (1973), The Wisdom of the Forest (1975), Encountering World Religions (1987) and A Concise Encyclopedia of Christianity (1998).

Table of Contents

1. Introductory2. The African Philosophy of Life3. The Body and its Powers4. The Personality-Soul5. The Spirit6. Guardian Genius, or Over-Soul7. Spirits of the Departed8. Ghostly Apparitions9. After-Life and Judgement10. Reincarnation11. Metamorphosis12. Animal and Plant Souls13. Injury to the Soul14. Possession15. Dreams16. The Influence of Egypt and Islam17. The Development of ReligionIndex of Proper NamesIndex of Subjects

Long Description

short descriptions: The comparative study of African religion has begun. But the idea of the soul is less prominent, and there has been no comparative account of West African psychological beliefs. This study essays to present one.

Details