Sixteen Cowries: Yoruba Divination from Africa to the New World

by William Bascom and William W. Bascom

Book Overview

" . . . a landmark in research of African oral traditions." --African Arts

" . . . a significant contribution to the understanding of Yoruba religious belief, magic, and art." --Journal of Religion in Africa

Yoruba texts and English translations of a divination system that originated in Nigeria and is widely practiced today by male and female diviners in the diaspora. A landmark edition.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B007YXTPWK
• ISBN13: 9780253208477
• Release Date: May 1980
• Publisher: Indiana University Press
• Length: 800 Pages
• Weight: 2.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 6.2" x 9.2"
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

The best and most readily available resource on Yoruba cowry divination.

This is by far one of the greatest books on Yoruba traditional religion ever written and is THE best book on Cowry Divination i've ever gotten my hands on. As I understand it, some of the tonal markings in the Yoruba transcription are incorrect, but that can be easily reconciled by the diligent student. The premise is great; gather the complete knowledge of an elder and well respected cowry diviner, and translate his own words into English. This book succeeds in presenting a thorough window into the religion, mythology and divination systems without the obstructions placed by Western "thinkers", adding and deleting what is not really fit to be added or deleted. Any practitioner of the Lukumi-Santeria religion (Yoruba religious Diaspora) with some fundamental knowledge of the faith will quickly find many counterparts to their own knowledge in this book. The more knowledge one has of Lukumi, the more they will appreciate this book. It may be because my own knowledge of Ifa divination is lacking, but Bascoms Ifa: Divination between Gods and Men pales in comparison in the eyes of a student who wishes to learn more about the similarities, and not the differences between cultures. For the Lukumi cowry diviner, and olorisha in general, several, if not many songs being sung by rote memorization without idea of meaning will be illuminated. Some other Yoruba cowry books, pamphlets rather since they hardly go over fifty pages, are more practical in that they are short and concise and can probably be memorized in a matter of weeks. However, the unadulterated insight Bascom's book offers is priceless. Iba'se Salako, oluko wa

Brilliant the Best.

One of the Most Brilliant Writers of the Orisha of modern day, Awo William Bascom has written some of the greatest books of Orisha and Yoruba Religion and Spirituality of our times. All of his books are destined to be classic in Orisha Literature. 16 Cowries as all his books are a must have for all young babalorishas and iyalorishas, and for the young Iyawo ask your godparents what there opinion is on this book, and I am sure you will get a good response. Of the few books of Merinndilloggun this has to be the best, in fact all of Awo Bascoms books blow away all the other books on the same subject. I highly recommend all the young Aborishas, and Iyawo, to check out his works. They are all a wealth of information and should be in every ones Library. Awo William Bascom has written some of the best books of Orisha Spirituality.

Extremadamente interesante

El libro contiene una información increible sobre el facinante mundo de la interpretación de los caracoles. Es muy complejo para un principiante; pero para el que desea realmente información como practicante de La Religión este libro es invaluable.

Complete guide for the Babalorisha or Iyalorisha

Once again Awo William Bascom will live forever. This book is an excellent book to help facilitate the learning of Eerindinlogun(Cowrie Divination)system.It is LOADED with information that the non-practioner,Awo's,Babalorisha,Iyalorisha,and even Babalawos would appreciate.

Bascom's knowledge is inmense !!!

This is an absolutely must have for any students or followers of the Yoruba religion and culture. William Bascom has done an excellent job of bringing out Ifa verses and patakis in this book. The information he has learned from so many years of his Anthropological studies in Nigeria have proven to be an inmense source of knowledge and wisdom on the subject. Comparing this book to others written on the subject matter, there is no comparision ! All of Bascom's work is phenominal .