Review by Osunyemi

Malidoma Patrice Some

This book follows Some’s superb biography detailing his initiation into his tribe as recorded in “Of Water and the Spirit.”

In this volume Some attempts, with mixed results, to create or define rituals of transition and spirit connectedness that are functionally the equivalent of the rituals and revelations he experienced during his tribal initiation in Africa.

His introduction and Part One of the book are the most nourishing and profound discussion of the function of ritual in community life and in African life specifically where there used to be no separation between lay and religious life.

In Parts Two through Five the book lays out rituals that he believes would be suitable for modern westerners. Some discusses the rituals as serving the purpose of healing the modern community; he details the elements required in ritual and finally discusses actual rituals he has used when working with western people.

While not doubting that the process designed by Some may lead to euphoric realizations from workshop participants, it is questionable that a translation of archetypal tribal processes into a western contemporary society can be achieved so simply. It may function for the select few who are already on the path of being connected with the cosmos, their roots, their ancestors, etc. However, for western man and increasingly for westernized people all over the planet the ritual process is perceived as archaic and non-functional.

Only those who are on a path back to their native religion, and who are truly making a change in their life, that is not for a few days of a seminar; can ritual truly be alive and real.

(c) 2007 Yeye Siju Osunyemi/Valeria Watson-Doost

Healing Wisdom of Africa