From masks to the symbolic script of the Ashanti; symbols play an important role in all aspects of African life. These sacred items come in a breathtaking array of styles; and here; divided into six areas of cultural similarity; are some of the most beautiful; along with explanations of their meanings. Demons; for most Africans; are responsible for justice and retribution: the superb demon mask shown depicts Kponingo; who belongs to the mythical world of the Senufo in the Ivory Coast. A calabash with the beak of a hornbill; adorned with cowrie shells and made by medicine men; is a typical instrument of witchcraft. Other fascinating symbols include sculptures; cave paintings; status symbols; and art for everyday use.
#1194957 in Books Random House 2011-07-19 2011-07-19Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.52 x 1.05 x 6.39l; 1.42 #File Name: 1400069114352 pagesGreat product!
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Essential reading for understanding this regionBy AMZ FANHave both audible and hardcover. The author provides foundational perspectives essential to understanding Pakistani (and to some extent current Afghan) society. Incredibly easy and digestible style; each chapter is essentially an essay and communicates a point that could stand alone. However; Constable weaves these themes together and shows how they relate to creating a dynamic; dangerous; and drifting Nation that rightfully is considered a 'fragile' state.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Best of the current books on PakistanBy Robert J. DukelowThere are dozens of books about Pakistan on the market today. Most of them are fairly limited in the scope of their efforts to describe this huge multi-faceted nation in the throes of imminent self-destruction. Ms Constable's work knows no such boundaries. The author has had close personal contact with the richest Pakistani families and the poorest rejects of this feudal society.While reading her book; it does not take much imagination to smell the rot and corruption that permeates the government; the judiciary; and the privileged classes of Pakistan's 20 elite family who own most of the country's industries; agriculture; and military. The stench of the foulest slums of Pakistan's largest cities; pales in comparison to that of the revulsive odor that seeps under the mahogany doors and across the polished marble floors of the halls of power where the rich get richer and the poor get ground into oblivion under an entrenched system that favors only the powerful and denies any semblance of justice or equity to those who must rely upon themselves and have no privileged connections. Try as they might; noble; honest; hardworking Pakistanis are faced with an almost impossible choice between irresponsible and inaccessible monolithic political dynasties or radical Islamic fundamentalist groups who offer instead brutal draconian Shari'ah Law. Many choose the latter.The slightest glimpse of hope does not come until the epilogue wherein Ms. Constable reports her brief encounter with Abdul Sattar Edhi; Pakistan's equivalent to Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Teresa; a true living saint. We can only hope that his work will continue even if it is only a Band-Aide on a gaping chest wound.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Good information; not well organizedBy Persistent WidowThis book has lots of good information about Pakistan; but is not well organized for people coming to it with minimal background. The chapters focus on topics; which means the chronology is always hard to follow. I like to know the chronology. When a sentence begins with "On December 10" how hard would it be to put in the year? Too many sentences like that lead to confusion. It would help to have a table with the chronology of important events and names of leaders and their times of hegemony. And definitely a map should have been included. Too many acronyms slow down the reading.
