In Search of Cheap Books in Nigeria
-- on
Yoruba Origin Spiritualities
and
Philosophies
Oluwatoyin Vincent Adepoju
Oluwatoyin Vincent Adepoju
Cheap books are necessary to a reading culture.
The relationship between cost of books and people's budgets determines the degree to which they are likely to buy those books.
Books are my most important possessions. I have acquired books in all circumstances in my life. Even when I was homeless at a time as an Independent Scholar in England, I could be seen carrying about a box of books I insisted on acquiring even in such challenging situations.
In other circumstances, I would go hungry or put myself through various deprivations to acquire books, on account of the consuming power of the hunger for the knowledge books enable.
Books open one's eyes to possibilities which might not otherwise be perceptible. They integrate the understanding of many people in an easily accessible manner.
They complement oral spiritual traditions, such as those of Africa, by helping the student expand their knowledge and interpret, organize, express and use what they are learning in ways not possible by relying only on the oral tradition, foundational as that is.
To people like myself who like to construct their own approaches to spiritual and philosophical systems, books provide the information constituting the indispensable building blocks for this purpose.
In developing a book reading culture, unless one is a book fanatic, such as I used to be, buying books should not conflict with such necessities as food, airtime and data.
In Nigeria at the moment, the higher a book goes above 5,000 naira the further it is from being cheap, in my view.
There is an urgent, even a desperate need in Nigeria for readily accessible books in classical ( traditional ) African spiritualities to feed the growing hunger for such knowledge and to address poor information about it.
The unjust demonization of classical African spiritualities represented by the relatively recent Illorin crisis between traditional Yoruba religion and Islam and reports of negative uses of these spiritualities, coupled with questionable aggressions towards them demonstrated by the current conflicts between government and traditional religion in Igboland,among other issues, make clear the urgency of such an information drive.
My major exposure is to classical Yoruba spirituality and so I would like to share a list of some of the cheaper stock on that subject, with a little commentary, of Sunshine Booksellers in Ibadan, who also deliver nationwide.
The bookseller also has excellent books on the this spirituality which cost more. Readers may see those on their website.
Building a library on a budget may require moving from books of lower prices to books that cost more as one is able.
Books by Wande Abimbola
1. Sixteen Great Poems of Ifá 5,000
( Any book on Ifa in English by Abimbola, those being the ones I have read, is foundational on the intellectual and literary essence of that most prestigious of Yoruba knowledge systems.
This one focuses on long Ifa poems and contains the particularly artistically exquisite and theologically central poem "The Importance of Ori").
2. Awon Oju Odu Meerindinlogun. 3,000
3.Ijinle Ohun Enu Ifa (Apa Keji). 3,000
4. Ijinle Ohun Enu Ifa (Apa Kin-in-ni) 3,000
( Abimbola's Yoruba books seem to contain poetry some of which are not within his books in English, some of this poetry being particularly strategic)
Books by Abosede Emmanuel
1. Ifa As Literature 6,000
( Literature is the central information system of Ifa. It would be interesting to see how Emmanuel addresses that subject, complementing his larger and very rich Odun Ifa, Ifa Festival, also sold by Sunshine Booksellers but outside the price range of this book list)
2. A Prophet Child Called Orunmila 7,000
( Who was Orunmila, described as the founder of Ifa? Was he a historical personality or is he a myth? This book should present a view on the subject)
By Yemi Elebuibon
(Elebuibon is a Yoruba babalawo, an adept in the esoteric knowledge of Ifa, who taught himself how to read and has become one of the major writers in Nigeria on Ifa, in particular, and Yoruba spirituality, in general.)
1. Osundagbonu: The Sole Journey of a Priest 10,000
(This is particularly strategic because it is one of the few biographies of masters in African spiritualities.
Elebuibon bridges various eras of Nigerian history and various spaces of Yoruba spirituality practice, from what might be his native Oshogbo, to his national and international work as a priest, making this biography particularly promising)
2. Ifa Elerii Ipin. 6,000
3. Ifa: The Custodian of Destiny. 6,000
(The titles of the two books directly above suggest an exploration of Ifa in relation to its access to what is described as the wisdom of Orunmila, known as "Elerii Ipin", "Witness to Creation", enabling the perception of Ifa as strategic to navigating and shaping human destiny.
"Ifa: The Custodian of Destiny provides a comprehensive overview of the rituals, symbols, and narratives central to Ifa, shedding light on its spiritual and practical applications.
The relationship between cost of books and people's budgets determines the degree to which they are likely to buy those books.
Books are my most important possessions. I have acquired books in all circumstances in my life. Even when I was homeless at a time as an Independent Scholar in England, I could be seen carrying about a box of books I insisted on acquiring even in such challenging situations.
In other circumstances, I would go hungry or put myself through various deprivations to acquire books, on account of the consuming power of the hunger for the knowledge books enable.
Books open one's eyes to possibilities which might not otherwise be perceptible. They integrate the understanding of many people in an easily accessible manner.
They complement oral spiritual traditions, such as those of Africa, by helping the student expand their knowledge and interpret, organize, express and use what they are learning in ways not possible by relying only on the oral tradition, foundational as that is.
To people like myself who like to construct their own approaches to spiritual and philosophical systems, books provide the information constituting the indispensable building blocks for this purpose.
In developing a book reading culture, unless one is a book fanatic, such as I used to be, buying books should not conflict with such necessities as food, airtime and data.
In Nigeria at the moment, the higher a book goes above 5,000 naira the further it is from being cheap, in my view.
There is an urgent, even a desperate need in Nigeria for readily accessible books in classical ( traditional ) African spiritualities to feed the growing hunger for such knowledge and to address poor information about it.
The unjust demonization of classical African spiritualities represented by the relatively recent Illorin crisis between traditional Yoruba religion and Islam and reports of negative uses of these spiritualities, coupled with questionable aggressions towards them demonstrated by the current conflicts between government and traditional religion in Igboland,among other issues, make clear the urgency of such an information drive.
My major exposure is to classical Yoruba spirituality and so I would like to share a list of some of the cheaper stock on that subject, with a little commentary, of Sunshine Booksellers in Ibadan, who also deliver nationwide.
The bookseller also has excellent books on the this spirituality which cost more. Readers may see those on their website.
Building a library on a budget may require moving from books of lower prices to books that cost more as one is able.
Books by Wande Abimbola
1. Sixteen Great Poems of Ifá 5,000
( Any book on Ifa in English by Abimbola, those being the ones I have read, is foundational on the intellectual and literary essence of that most prestigious of Yoruba knowledge systems.
This one focuses on long Ifa poems and contains the particularly artistically exquisite and theologically central poem "The Importance of Ori").
2. Awon Oju Odu Meerindinlogun. 3,000
3.Ijinle Ohun Enu Ifa (Apa Keji). 3,000
4. Ijinle Ohun Enu Ifa (Apa Kin-in-ni) 3,000
( Abimbola's Yoruba books seem to contain poetry some of which are not within his books in English, some of this poetry being particularly strategic)
Books by Abosede Emmanuel
1. Ifa As Literature 6,000
( Literature is the central information system of Ifa. It would be interesting to see how Emmanuel addresses that subject, complementing his larger and very rich Odun Ifa, Ifa Festival, also sold by Sunshine Booksellers but outside the price range of this book list)
2. A Prophet Child Called Orunmila 7,000
( Who was Orunmila, described as the founder of Ifa? Was he a historical personality or is he a myth? This book should present a view on the subject)
By Yemi Elebuibon
(Elebuibon is a Yoruba babalawo, an adept in the esoteric knowledge of Ifa, who taught himself how to read and has become one of the major writers in Nigeria on Ifa, in particular, and Yoruba spirituality, in general.)
1. Osundagbonu: The Sole Journey of a Priest 10,000
(This is particularly strategic because it is one of the few biographies of masters in African spiritualities.
Elebuibon bridges various eras of Nigerian history and various spaces of Yoruba spirituality practice, from what might be his native Oshogbo, to his national and international work as a priest, making this biography particularly promising)
2. Ifa Elerii Ipin. 6,000
3. Ifa: The Custodian of Destiny. 6,000
(The titles of the two books directly above suggest an exploration of Ifa in relation to its access to what is described as the wisdom of Orunmila, known as "Elerii Ipin", "Witness to Creation", enabling the perception of Ifa as strategic to navigating and shaping human destiny.
"Ifa: The Custodian of Destiny provides a comprehensive overview of the rituals, symbols, and narratives central to Ifa, shedding light on its spiritual and practical applications.
Through detailed explanations and reflections, Elebuibon underscores the enduring significance of Ifa in navigating the complexities of life and maintaining harmony within the Yoruba cosmology."- from the website.)
4. The Adventures of Obàtálá; Ifá and Santeria God of Creativity: Volume One 8,000
( Obatala is intriguing for his combination of gentle and pure character and profound and mysterious power.
It will be intriguing to see how Elebuibon presents stories representing adventures of this potent figure, depicting how his personality and power are manifest in various situations.)
5. Apetebi: The Wife of Orunmila. 8,000
6. Invisible Powers of The Metaphysical World 8,000
(This is a book about witches in Yoruba spirituality, if I recall correctly. It would be interesting to read what Elebuibon's insights on this most elusive and yet compelling topic)
7. Iwure: Healing Power of Prayer. 8,000
( What kinds of prayer do traditional spiritualists pray? How are they related to the widespread practice of sacrifices of objects and animals in the spirituality? This book will shed light on that)
8. The Healing Power Of Sacrifice. 8,000
( This book is described as presenting the logic and effectiveness of sacrifice in traditional Yoruba spirituality)
9. Akojopo Ogota Ewi ( Yoruba poetry) 8,000
By Wole Soyinka
Death and the King's Horseman 2,000
( Described by some views as Soyinka's greatest book. The ritual scene is a masterpiece of world literature, demonstrating Yoruba oral poetry and poetry inspired by that ancient tradition, rendered in English, at its best in simplicity of beauty and profundity of meaning, readily accessible to all readers.
4. The Adventures of Obàtálá; Ifá and Santeria God of Creativity: Volume One 8,000
( Obatala is intriguing for his combination of gentle and pure character and profound and mysterious power.
It will be intriguing to see how Elebuibon presents stories representing adventures of this potent figure, depicting how his personality and power are manifest in various situations.)
5. Apetebi: The Wife of Orunmila. 8,000
6. Invisible Powers of The Metaphysical World 8,000
(This is a book about witches in Yoruba spirituality, if I recall correctly. It would be interesting to read what Elebuibon's insights on this most elusive and yet compelling topic)
7. Iwure: Healing Power of Prayer. 8,000
( What kinds of prayer do traditional spiritualists pray? How are they related to the widespread practice of sacrifices of objects and animals in the spirituality? This book will shed light on that)
8. The Healing Power Of Sacrifice. 8,000
( This book is described as presenting the logic and effectiveness of sacrifice in traditional Yoruba spirituality)
9. Akojopo Ogota Ewi ( Yoruba poetry) 8,000
By Wole Soyinka
Death and the King's Horseman 2,000
( Described by some views as Soyinka's greatest book. The ritual scene is a masterpiece of world literature, demonstrating Yoruba oral poetry and poetry inspired by that ancient tradition, rendered in English, at its best in simplicity of beauty and profundity of meaning, readily accessible to all readers.
Yoruba ideas of relationships between life on Earth and life beyond death are at the core of the short but marvelous play).
By Adeleke Adeeko
Arts of Being Yoruba 5,500
The writer is fascinated by the intellectual and artistic power of Yoruba culture, and is a superb writer, qualities I expect this book demonstrates.
By Adewale Alabi Ifayemi
The Essence of Ifa: A Beginner's Guide to Yoruba Divination and Spirituality. 5,000
( " Adewale Ifayemi is a distinguished practitioner and scholar of Yoruba spirituality, deeply dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich traditions of Ifa divination. Born into a lineage of Yoruba spiritual custodians, Adewale has spent decades studying under renowned Babalawos (priests of Ifa) and immersing himself in the sacred teachings of Ifa and Yoruba cosmology.
As a respected voice in the global discourse on African spirituality, Adewale is committed to demystifying Ifa for modern audiences while maintaining the integrity and authenticity of its ancient wisdom. His work has empowered countless individuals to reconnect with their ancestral roots, embrace spiritual clarity, and discover the timeless guidance of Ifa in navigating life's complexities.
In The Essence of Ifa: A Beginner's Guide to Yoruba Divination and Spirituality, Adewale masterfully bridges the gap between tradition and modernity, offering readers an accessible yet profound introduction to Ifa divination. This book is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking spiritual growth, cultural insight, or a deeper understanding of Yoruba heritage.
Adewale Ifayemi's expertise, passion, and authenticity make him a trusted guide in your journey to explore the transformative power of Ifa. Whether you are new to Yoruba spirituality or looking to deepen your knowledge, this book is a must-read for unlocking the wisdom and spiritual potential of Ifa."- from the website
By Adeleke Adeeko
Arts of Being Yoruba 5,500
The writer is fascinated by the intellectual and artistic power of Yoruba culture, and is a superb writer, qualities I expect this book demonstrates.
By Adewale Alabi Ifayemi
The Essence of Ifa: A Beginner's Guide to Yoruba Divination and Spirituality. 5,000
( " Adewale Ifayemi is a distinguished practitioner and scholar of Yoruba spirituality, deeply dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich traditions of Ifa divination. Born into a lineage of Yoruba spiritual custodians, Adewale has spent decades studying under renowned Babalawos (priests of Ifa) and immersing himself in the sacred teachings of Ifa and Yoruba cosmology.
As a respected voice in the global discourse on African spirituality, Adewale is committed to demystifying Ifa for modern audiences while maintaining the integrity and authenticity of its ancient wisdom. His work has empowered countless individuals to reconnect with their ancestral roots, embrace spiritual clarity, and discover the timeless guidance of Ifa in navigating life's complexities.
In The Essence of Ifa: A Beginner's Guide to Yoruba Divination and Spirituality, Adewale masterfully bridges the gap between tradition and modernity, offering readers an accessible yet profound introduction to Ifa divination. This book is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking spiritual growth, cultural insight, or a deeper understanding of Yoruba heritage.
Adewale Ifayemi's expertise, passion, and authenticity make him a trusted guide in your journey to explore the transformative power of Ifa. Whether you are new to Yoruba spirituality or looking to deepen your knowledge, this book is a must-read for unlocking the wisdom and spiritual potential of Ifa."- from the website
Listserv moderated by Toyin Falola, University of Texas at Austin
To post to this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com
To subscribe to this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue+subscribe@googlegroups.com
Current archives at http://groups.google.com/group/USAAfricaDialogue
Early archives at http://www.utexas.edu/conferences/africa/ads/index.html
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "USA Africa Dialogue Series" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to usaafricadialogue+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/usaafricadialogue/CAGBtzfNWg7XD5Z7m4DxdZqrKMf2eH8ZO-TuSyTw1zyZV0qNzpA%40mail.gmail.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment