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Summary: One human's torturous removal from his home and culture.
Review: A moving account of an young man experiencing early in his life the wisdom of an elder and then taken away from his tribe and indoctrinated into a life of missionary brainwashing. Malidoma's mission in this world was clearly to pioneer back to his roots and experience two cultures. Thank the higher powers that be.
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Summary: Every seeker should read this book!!
Review: A wonderful book!!! Even from the introduction, Malidoma Patrice Some engages the reader with compelling observations on the limitations of the "Western" worldview, but does not do so in a derisive way. He conveys, in a very moving life story, his role in the current world and tells how he has lived up to the mission foretold in his given name. What I especially liked, having read several other books on various spiritual traditions, was how the rituals and beliefs of the Dagara resonate with the wisdom found in traditions from Wicca to the "new age" ideas put forth in books like The Celestine Prophecy and Conversations with God. I was sad to come to the end of this book, because I wanted to learn more. I hope Some' will write a sequel that continues his story, as well as those of his father, Guisso, Nyangoli, and others he has encountered on his path through his adult life. This book reaffirms the truth of our divine nature; and powers that we in the West need to accept and "understand" without needing scientific "proof". Everyone should read this book -- it's good for the soul!
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Summary: Transcendence from an African Perspective
Review: Any westerner who has ever wanted to know how an African thinks should read this book by Malidome Some. Because he was kidnapped out of his own culture and brought up in a Catholic seminary (where the priests wanted to turn out Black Christians prepared to go out and convert their fellows), Some was given the tools he needed to make an African sensibility understandable to a westerner. When he ran away from the Catholics and returned to his tribal home, he found that his family and fellow villagers saw him as so contaminated by his exposure to White ideology/learning that he was a danger to them. They gave him the option of undergoing the rite of initiation which boys usually go through in their 13th year. Some was 20 and he had to overcome his foreign-implanted mindset in order to survive the ordeal and become an initiate in his own tribe. The story begins with his close relationship with his grandfather, a tribal elder, when Some was only four years old. His earlier exposure to his grandfather's wisdom helped him survive the initiation. Some now straddles the two very different worlds and is living and teaching in California.
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Summary: This book is knowledgeable and thought provoking.
Review: I enjoyed this book very much. It took me into a world that I knew existed, It is one of the best books that I have read about African culture. It is believeable and well written. Mr. Some takes you on the initiation along with him. I can feel as though I am there. It is a rights of passage that is unforgettable. I hope this books stays in print for a long time. It is easy reading.
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Summary: So revealing, and yet it is "light stuff" (in your words).
Review: I felt as though I were reading about my own person's life experiences while reading this book. Although I was raised in America, I was sent to Catholic school for 11 years as a child, knowing I would never be a part of that culture. I have since returned "home", just as Malidoma did, and begun my trek on the path of self-realization. But, as Malidoma points out, he did not (and cannot) give you the full "4-1-1" on the cultural practices. . . those who are not on the path simply are not allowed to know. Thus, this indeed is "light stuff"."When the student is ready, the teacher will come."
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Summary: A good read!
Review: I just finished reading the book. I give it 4 stars. I have to say it was an interesting read. At some points however, I did feel like Malidoma was adding his own embellishments to compensate for all the other material that Guisso did not want him to reveal (I might be wrong). Traditional Black Africa has always been a place of sacred ritual, form ancient Egypt to the present world. The book is an example of how the coming of colonization has changed all facets of life in Africa. Certain features of our culture have been brutally obliterated. Sadly, "the (Western) book has totally replaced the elder", in the words of Some himself. Even today, the dark children are being kidnapped (like the author himself) mentally and spiritually from their African realm by Western missionary schools and accompanying doctrines of total de-Africanization. We, the Africans, are also culpable. Why let it happen (and even fuel it) in the first place? I agree that the kidnapping of Malidoma can partially be blamed on the father, who befriended the missionaries, exposing the young Malidoma to vultures (without even knowing it). His disrespect of his own culture and religion was absolutely detestable. I admire the way in which Patrice balanced the two worlds that had morphed him into what he was. He did it with admirable poise.
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Summary: Of Water and the Spirit
Review: I just finished this book and I am hungry for much, much more. Malidoma Some's deep wisdom, wide vision, vulnerability and honesty stirred my soul so deeply. This book has awakened my yearning to re-connect with Nature and the Spirit world like no other I have read. I found his vivid, well-paced storytelling and the wisdom of his people utterly fascinating. I wish to thank the Dagara for being so generous in sharing their wisdom through this man. If I could give this book 20 stars, I would!!
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Summary: Of Water and the Spirit
Review: I just finished this book and I am hungry for much, much more. Malidoma Some's deep wisdom, wide vision, vulnerability and honesty stirred my soul so deeply. This book has awakened my yearning to re-connect with Nature and the Spirit world like no other I have read. I found his vivid, well-paced storytelling and the wisdom of his people utterly fascinating. I wish to thank the Dagara for being so generous in sharing their wisdom through this man. If I could give this book 20 stars, I would!!
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Summary: Beautiful
Review: I love this book. A story of triumph over various oppressive forces. Very inspiring.
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Summary: Captivating reading!
Review: I picked up this book after hearing an old New Dimensions radio interview with Malidoma Patrice Some. I was more interested in village life than in the initiation, but the book drew me into the full story. Malidoma has had a very unusual life. This book is fascinating and well-written. I think it's important because of the excellent discriptions of...everyday village life...the initiation experience...the missionary influence...and, not least, because the Dagara at Dano will be changed by this book. This book should be a must for anyone interested in Africa or real-life magic.
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