Ifá: A Forest of Mystery.
UK: Scarlet Imprint, 2016. First Edition. Hardcover. Large octavo. xiv + 384pp. Bound in deep red cloth with dramatic green palm leaf embellishment to upper board and green lettering to spine, molded endpapers, 18 original pen & ink illustrations in b&w by Childerico. The standard edition limited to 736 numbered copies. "A major study on the cosmology, metaphysics, philosophy and divination system of Ifá, written by a tradition holder and member of the council of elders, known as the Ogboni society, of Abeokuta, Nigeria. Ifá – an alternative name for its prophet Òrúnmìlà – is a religion, a wisdom tradition and a system of divination encoding the rich and complex oral and material culture of the Yoruba people. The Yoruba culture is grounded in memory, an ancestral repository of wisdom, that generates good counsel, advises appropriate ebo (sacrifice) and opens the way to develop a good character on our journey through life and in our interactions with the visible and invisible worlds. The work is a presentation of the first sixteen odù of the Ifá corpus of divination verses explained in stories, allegories and proverbs reflecting the practical wisdom of Ifá. The work is both a presentation of Ifá for those with little knowledge of it, and a dynamic presentation of the wealth of its wisdom for those already familiar with Ifá." A touch of rubbing to the boards - this is not shelf-wear but an artefact of the binding process. Clearly there was a binding issue with the whole print-run as all copies sent out had some minor issues (clearly not bad enough that they needed to be withdrawn, but not perfect either). This is one of the best copies we have seen. Aside from the what appears to be a little rubbing to the front board the book is basically in Fine condition. Obviously unread, thus a tight, bright, as-new copy (no dust jacket issued). NOTE: Large book, additional shipping may apply. Item #74654
Price: $265.00