..". a landmark in research of African oral traditions." --African Arts

..". a significant contribution to theunderstanding of Yoruba religious belief, magic, and art." -- Journal ofReligion in Africa

Yoruba texts and English translations of adivination system that originated in Nigeria and is widely practiced today by maleand female diviners in the diaspora. A landmark edition.

"The sacred texts of Ifa, repository of the accumulated wisdom of countless generations of Yoruba people, are an invaluable source not only for all students of African oral literature and Yoruba civilization, but also for future generations interested in the continuing vitality of Ifa divination and a Yoruba way of life and thought." Henry Drewal

This landmark study of Ifa, the most important and elaborate system of divination of the Yoruba people of Nigeria, remains a monumental contribution to scholarship in anthropology, folklore, religion, philosophy, linguistics, and African and African-American studies."

"These essays... are of immense importance to anyone interested inthe issues of origins and folklore texts." --Choice

..". this is Bascom at his best.... an attractive andfull-bodied book." -- Fabula

These essays, devoted totraditional narratives found in Africa and in the New World, represent the lastmajor research project of William Bascom (1912-1981), eminent authority on Africanart and folklore -- his intention was to demonstrate the African roots of AfricanAmerican folktales.