Contents

Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter i
2. Contents vii
3. List of Figures xiii
4. List of Photographs xv
5. Preface and Acknowledgments xix
6. Linguistic Note xxii
7. Entering into an Equatorial Microcosm 1
8. PART I. THE ROAD
9. 1. Narratives of Fang-European Contacts, 1840-1910 27
10. 2. Compositions of the Past 49
11. 3. Extensions into Social Space and Time 74
12. 4. Fang Incorporated in Built Space 99
13. 5. Resource Distribution and Social Reciprocities 126
14. 6. The Relations between the Sexes 150
15. 7. Authority and Benevolence in the Life Cycle 170
16. 8. Coming into Manhood 187
17. 9. The Occult Search for Capacity 215
18. PART II. INTERPRETATIONS
19. 10. Ritual at Work in Two Old Fang Cults 243
20. 11. Reinterpretations of Mission 271
21. PART III. A PLEASURE DOME
22. 12. Administered Morality and Moral Movement to a Fuller Self 291
23. 13. The Origin and Re-creation of Gods and Men 312
24. 14. The Dynamics of Bwiti in Space and Time 345
25. 15. The Bwiti Chapel: Architectonics 371
26. 16. The Corporation of Angels 413
27. 17. The Path of Birth and Death: The Benevolence in the Liturgical Cycle 436
28. 18. Equatorial Excursions: The Quest for Revitalizing Dreams and Visions 470
29. 19. The Word in Bwiti 494
30. 20. The Pleasure Dome Emergent 532
31. Afterword: The Suggestion of Coherence, The Impression of Momentum 565
32. Appendix I. Glossary of Key Terms 574
33. Appendix II. Sermon Texts 588
34. Appendix III. The MBiri Curing Societies 595
35. Notes 601
36. Bibliography 661
37. Index 675