nonviolent nature of,2: 521
Sotho people and,2: 520
Personhood, 2:521–526
Akan example of,2:521–526
chain symbol and,2: 524
human relationships importance and,
2:524–525
individual separate identity and,2:525–526
intrinsic value of person and,2: 522
nature of community and,2:523–524
okra,soul concept and,2:522–523
ontology of,2:522–523
person as theomorphic being concept
and,2: 522
person in community and,2:524–526
pronoun “it” and,2: 523
welfare of each and of all relationship and,
2:521–523
Petwo, 2:526–527
Bois Caiman and,1:262,2: 527
drumming and dancing ceremonies of,2: 527
Ezili Dantò and,1:254,1:262,2: 527
forceful, aggressive, dangerous attitude of,
1:20,1:263,1:392,2:526,2: 559
Haitian Revolution and,1:131,1:132,
1:262,2: 527
important spirits of,2: 527
Kongo and Ibo lwa as part of,2: 526
NanchonPetwo Vodou rite and,1: 262
Petwo drums and,1: 222
Don Petwo (Pedro) and,2: 527
pig sacrifice ritual and,2: 527
Vodu in Haiti and,2: 697
Vodu lwa pantheon of,1:131,1:132,1:283,
1:392,2:526–527,2: 559
Peul, 2:527–528
agricultural and pastoral economy of,2: 528
geographic location, origins and migrations of,
2:527–528
Islam and,2: 527
patrilineal society of,2: 528
Phoenix, 2:528–529
benben stone symbolism and,2: 528
Benu bird and,2:528–529
transformation and,2:528–529
Placenta, 2:529–530
ancestral land identification and,2: 529
caul birth membrane ritual and,1:125,2: 530
disposal and preservation rituals of,1:125,
2:529–530
Mande creation story and,1:261–262
religious significance of,2: 529
as spirit double of the child,2: 529
See alsoUmbilical cord
Plants, 2:530–531
creation process symbolism and,2: 530
creation stories and,2: 530
functions of,2: 530
medicine, healing, well-being uses of,
1:415,2:530–531
Pliya, Jean,1: 267
Pocomania, 2:531–532
music and spirit possession features of,2: 531
North American enslavement and,2: 531
Revivalism known as,2: 531
women’s role in,2: 531
Popular Traditional African Religion Everywhere
(PTARE),1:xxii,1: 107
Poro Society, 2:532
initiation and,2:532,2:598,2:685–686
as men’s secret society,1:409,1:423,2: 532
painted cloth costume of,2: 533
social and religious concerns of,2:532,
2:653–654
Temne people and,2:653–654
Possessing the Secret of Joy(Walker),1: 170
Potomitan, 2:534–535
as cosmic penis,2: 534
Danbala Wedo and,1:394,2: 534
functions of,2: 534
lwa enter living world through,2: 534
pillar of peristyle Vodou temple and,2: 534
as spiritual world axis,2: 534
vèvè and,2: 686
Poyas, Peter,1: 175
Predestination, 2:535
destiny in African religion and,2: 535
disease, illness and,1: 414
meanings of,2: 535
Olodumare and,2: 535
Ori as symbol of,2:500,2: 535
See alsoDestiny
Pregnancy, 2:536–538
ancestor traditions regarding,2: 536
clay pot and womb analogy and,1:126,1:170,
1:264,1:410–411,2:536,2: 573
cowrie shells protection and,1: 182
creative power of a woman and,2: 536
food prohibitions during,2: 538
main marriage purpose of,2: 536Index 847