Shu referenced in,2: 617
spitting referenced in,2: 634
Color symbolism, 1:173–175
adinkra symbols and,1:7–10
of Akan people,1:174–175,1:174 (table)
of Bois of Caiman rebellion and,1: 131
Bondo Society initiation and,1: 134
in dreams,1: 220
of Mami Wata,1: 404
red, black, and green as African colors,2: 463
of ritual artifacts,1: 174
specific life forces and,1: 173
Yoruba Obatala as “King of White Cloth and,
1:173–174,2:471,2: 715
Comfa religion.SeeObeah(Comfa religion)
Congo.SeeDemocratic Republic of the Congo
Congo Jack, 1:175–176
Charleston, South Carolina insurrection and,
1:175–176
Denmark Vesey and,1:175–176
Conjurers, 1:176–177
African societies in the Americas and,1: 176
ethical, moral, spiritual, physical well-being
and,1: 176
Southern slave society and,1: 176
spiritual and material elements of human
experience linked by,1:176–177
See alsoHoodoo; Seers
Convince, 1:177–178
African religion in Jamaica and southern U.S.
and,1: 177
Africans fighting against slavery and,1: 177
cosmological connection to memory of ancient
African ideals and,1: 177
persecution of,1: 177
possession, ritual dancing, and healing services
of,1: 177
Cosmogony (African),1: 24
of Adansi State,1:10–11
of Akan people,1:24–25
animals in myths of,1: 56
circumcision and,1: 343
definition of,1: 24
See alsoCreation(creation stories, narratives,
myths)
Cosmology(African),1:178–180
of Akan people,1: 25
ancestors’ role in,1: 179
of Bariba people,1:107–108
creation narratives and,1:178–179
definition of,1:24,1: 178
divination importance in,1:180,1:208–209
of Dogon people,1: 218
of Fa,1: 132
of Fon people,1:270–272
of Hathor,1: 307
health, fertility, humans and nature balance
issues and,1: 180
human and spiritual entity relationships
and,1: 179
kingship system in,1: 180
meditation role in,1: 179
orality feature of,1: 178
rites of passage and,1: 180
spatial and temporal constructions of,1: 178
spiritual forces and,1:179–180
women’s role in,1: 180
See alsoBantu philosophy; Creation(creation
stories, narratives, myths)
Côte d’Ivoire
Akan people of,1: 24
Bete people of,1: 123
Dioula people of,1: 204
Mossi people of,1: 427
Senufo people of,2: 603
Cowrie shells, 1:180–184
abundance of,1: 182
artwork and,1: 183
currency use of,1:182,1: 183
diaspora and divination and,1:183–184
divination using,1:183–184,1: 417
as feminine symbol,1: 182
masked performer with antelope headdress,
1: 181
natural history of,1:181–182
as protective icons, amulets and,1:182–183
as spiritual divination oracle reading tools,
1: 181
symbolic spiritual language using,1: 181
use in Kemet of,1:182–183
Creation(creation stories, narratives, myths),
1:184–186
of Abaluyia people,1: 1
of Abuk, first woman of the world,1:5–6
Abusuo abosom and,1: 4
of Aida Wedo and Dambala,1:20–21
of Akamba,1: 23
of Akan people,1:10–11,1:24–25,2: 725
of Ashanti people,1: 185
Atum creation story and,1:77,1: 241816 Index