African spirituality among the Akan people of Ghana can be defined as a developmental quest to achieve ancestorhood in heaven (Samanadzie) after first attaining eldership and wisdom in the corporeal world (Wiadzie). The African life, then, is a cycle. A human originates in the Samanadzie as a spiritual personality (?saman) after being joined by a spirit (Sunsum). At birth, a newborn is endowed with a soul (?kra), becoming a living being (?kratsiasifo). During adulthood, a person embarks on an ethical existence (?bra b?), the successful application of which leads a community to confer an eldership title (Nana) on an adult. Upon death, a Nana is again transformed into an ?saman and judged at the Samanadzie. If found worthy, the ?saman joins the eternally esteemed company of the Ancestors (Nananom Nsamanfo), with the most powerful of them all-kings and queen mothers-transformed into deities.

About the Author
Anthony Ephirim-Donkor is assistant professor and undergraduate director of Africana Studies at Binghamton University, State University of New York. Dr. Ephirim-Donkor teaches African and African diaspora religions and cultures. He is the author of The Making of an African King: Patrilineal and Matrilineal Struggle among the Effutu and African Religion Defined: A Systematic Study of Ancestor Worship among the Akan.


Book Information
ISBN 9780761854678
Author Anthony Ephirim-Donkor
Format Paperback
Page Count 200
Imprint University Press of America
Publisher University Press of America
Weight(grams) 308g
Dimensions(mm) 232mm * 155mm * 12mm