From the Publisher
In four previous books, acclaimed photographers Carol
Beckwith and Angela Fisher have documented vanishing tribal
customs in Africa-and won an enormous following. Now, after
nearly a decade of travel and research, they have created
their masterwork-a monumental two-volume exploration of
traditional African rites and rituals. Spanning the
continent, Beckwith and Fisher open our eyes to scores of
exotic and wondrous ceremonies-baby namings, initiations,
weddings, harvest blessings, coronations, healing exorcisms,
and funerals, among others. Many of these rituals will never
be performed again; few have been pictured and described with
the intimacy, knowledge, and skill of Beckwith and Fisher.
Overflowing with nearly 850 magnificent color photographs,
African Ceremonies is one of the most important works on
Africa ever published. Two volumes, slipcased. 847
photographs in full color, 45 maps, 1011/4 x 1377/8"
Subsidiary Rights: Selected by Book-of-the-Month Club Carol
Beckwith And Angela Fisher, who collaborated on Abrams'
African Ark, have been photo graph ing in Africa for 30
years. Beckwith grew up in Boston and is also co-author of
Maasai and Nomads of Niger. Australian-born Angela Fisher is
the author of Africa Adorned. Perio dicals such as National
Geographic, Time, LIFE, People, The New York Times, and many
others have reported on their achievements and featured their
photographs. Beckwith and Fisher lecture frequently. They
both live in London when not traveling. Malidoma Patrice Som,
a native of Burkina Faso, holds doctorates from the Sorbonne
in Paris and Brandeis University in Massachusetts. Som
teaches, lectures, and conducts workshops in initiation
rituals and shamanism around the world, and has published
several books and audio tapes. He lives in Oakland,
California.
