Ritual: Power, Healing and Community

by Malidoma Patrice Somé

In this remarkable book, Malidoma Somé explores the essential role ritual plays in maintaining community and examines the structure common to all ritual. By telling stories of the rituals of his native West African Dagara culture, and of his own experiences in the tribal community, he makes a convincing case that the lack of ritual in the Western world is a fundamental reason that the fabric of society is unraveling. "The hurt that a person feels in the midst of this modern culture should be taken as a language spoken by the body," writes Somé. "Our soul communicates things to us that the body translates as need, or want, or absence. So we enter into ritual in order to respond to the call of the soul." The name Malidoma means "he who is to be friends with the stranger/enemy," and Somé, who has doctorates from the Sorbonne and Brandeis, abandoned his teaching career at Brandeis at the instruction of village elders to devote himself completely to speaking and, with his wife Sobonfu, conducting workshops on ritual.

"The question is, can the modern world find ways to perceive the subtle knowledge and imagery of the tribal world? Can Western understanding open a place for tribal visions of spiritual life and community rituals to enter? Malidoma Somé is uniquely qualified to find the thresholds between the worlds and hold the gates open." —Michael Meade

Genres: Nonfiction, Spirituality, Religion, Africa, Self Help, Anthropology, Indigenous

103 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Malidoma Patrice Somé was from the Dagara tribe of Burkina Faso, formerly Upper Volta, West Africa. "Malidoma," in his native language, means "be friend with the stranger." He was an initiated, gifted diviner and medicine man of his tribe. He held three master's degrees and two degrees from the Sorbonne and Brandeis University. His well-known book Of Water and the Spirit: Magic and Initiation in The Life of an African Shaman is treasured throughout the world. In the years preceding his death, Malidoma devoted part of his time to conducting intensive workshops with his wife Sobonfu.

Reviews

[Rita · Rating 2 out of 5]

Without ritual, humans live in nostalgia.

O livro é uma reflexão sobre o papel dos rituais na vida humana, particularmente a partir da perspectiva das tradições espirituais da tribo Dagara, da qual Malidoma Patrice Somé faz parte.
Malidoma Patrice Somé acredita que os rituais não são apenas uma herança do passado, mas uma necessidade contínua para o bem-estar humano e para a construção de comunidades coesas e espiritualmente saudáveis.

We need ritual because it is an expression of the fact that we recognize the difficulty of creating a different and special kind of community. A community that doesn’t have a ritual cannot exist. A corporate community is not a community. It’s a conglomeration of individuals in the service of an insatiable soulless entity.

81/198 – Burquina Fasso

[Enrique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without ritual, humans live in nostalgia

You can see a few glimpses of how Dagaras live in Burkina Faso.

Rituals, as explained by Malidoma, helps to deal with feelings and spirits.

Not easy to understand this if you live according to the west's point of view.

Even today, west books try to understand feelings, and feelings (confirmed even by neurology research) require of community to deal with.

You can not say that this or that made the cultures superior, or to talk about superiority. Technology is a spirit by itself and likes to let think fools that use it give you superiority.

Talking about feelings, I felt a bit disappointed when I found on the Malidoma webpage credit cards logos. He is harsh about technology in his book, but he doesn't say no to a few bucks. It's contradictory, of course, but maybe he can have a good excuse for that.

Good read, recommended.

[no.stache.nietzsche · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this early 90s book from a recently deceased writer from Burkina Faso!

We've been steeped in the ideas of Traditionalism a la Rene Guenon as of late, and were interested to see if we would find any similarities between his thought and this text, and indeed there were many. Guenon's ideas about symbolic and effective initiation, modernity and quantification (specifically noted in its consequent mechanization by Somé), and the nihilistic spiritual facades of contemporary Western culture can all be found in this delightful little text.

The details of Dagara society's initiatic process are of course particular, and some of the anecdotes related herein may have once struck this reader as quaint- but after seriously considering the likes of Guenon and Evola, they honestly no longer do. Resonating forces of spiritual efficacy are at work in our world, and in authentically traditional communities such as the Dagara, the raw imminence of such factors is sure to be more overtly apparent. We still balk at some of the techno-phobic sentiments expressed, but were able to glean some productive insights from Somé's accounts.

The audiobook performance was also certainly sufficient!

[Chraeloos · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good introduction to the practices of the Dagara people and other native tribes of Africa. Really shows the difference between modern society and traditional society well.

[K AKUA GRAY · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely one for the keeping. View a few of my favorite quotes from the book. http://drakuabookreviews.blogspot.com...

[Amy C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Learned but didn't connect

Quick book with powerful concepts of ritual and community, but I found it difficult to connect to or resonate with - perhaps I'll return to it someday when I'm in a different head space.

[LALa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book thoroughly fascinating and quite easy to read. Though written a while ago, the commentary seemed especially applicable with respects to Western Society, the Capitalist Machine, and the tendency to turn down noses to tribal ways of life in favor of "Progress." While some aspects were difficult for me to believe, I respected the stories that were shared along with the sentiment behind this form of Spirituality. I also liked that while this centers African Indigenous peoples, it offers appreciation and respect for all Indigenous peoples.

I also find that tenets of Ritual in this work seem to be what folx in QTBIPOC communities are seeking, returning to, trying to build, and or could benefit from as well. This definitely gave me some food for thought and I hope to read more of Somé's work and start developing more spiritual practice into my daily life.

[Audrey Approved · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read around the world project - Burkina Faso

This was interesting as a window into the Dagara tribe's culture, traditions and value systems. I appreciated the author's emphasis on the role of community. However, I fundamentally disagree with the presence of a spirit world (nor am I convinced of one after reading this).

[Eli · Rating 5 out of 5]

very powerful stuff!

[Clarissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

An informative read, yes. Did I love it? No. A few years ago I read Of Water & Spirit so I was intrigued when I saw this at a local bookstore. I appreciate the wisdom shared & while there are a few gems I will carry with me (like the importance of practicing ritual in privacy & paying homage to our ancestors on a daily basis), the ways certain practices were gendered was a big turn-off for me; it almost felt like there was no rhyme or reason for the separation. I saw this immediately as the author acknowledges folks in the first few pages of the book and while he lists at least 10 men for which he is grateful for, not 1 woman was mentioned or thanked. Not even his momma! Personally, this indicates a lack of balance in perspective and maybe even an absence of value for the feminine. Aside from this, I found value in learning about traditional groups and how indigenous folks honor community through ritual.

[Crystal J. De la Cruz - Hopper · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of wisdom in this book!

I stumbled into this author and thus this book from an article I read entitled, "What a Shaman Sees in a Mental Hospital"... Excellent read, by the way.

As a student and practitioner of shamanic energy medicine, I am enthralled with the simple wisdom of Somè's lineage and tradition and I love the many parallels to other traditions and modalities. His writing style is quite eloquent and yet easy to follow; an excellent story teller.

If you're on a seeking path or enjoy learning about other cultures and communities, I highly recommend.

[Encarni Reading The World Forever · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed this book a lot. I think it helps you to stop I think about what the most important things are. Little by little we are giving the importance to feelings and emotions. Though I am from another part of the world and from a different cultural background, I agree with the author in so many statements. I highly recommend it.

[Mychole-Anthonie Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

Typical of indigenous peoples giving stories to teach the practice and typical of westerners to not appreciate it. But this one did. His writing is engaging and the stories are dramatic but are his reality and promotes envy in my desire to experience community to this level. Wish there was more of a "guide" on how to conduct but I think I learned enough from reading his accounts.

[Kendra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read about the author and his experiences and how the Dagara view ritual as being necessary to their life. Their grieving ritual was particularly potent, and I do agree with how badly the West treats grief.

[Siddiq Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

His description of the sophistication of the way in which funeral ritual is orchestrated demonstrates masterfully the richness, depth and intelligence that his culture devotes to the end of human life, just as his book Of Water and Spirit details the same for initiation into the beginning of human life. This book is an essential complement to the earlier one. The contrast to the poverty in which these moments are mired within industrial civilisation is striking and profound.

Key points for me are:

There are three different levels of ritual, individual, family and communal. The efficacy of the former depends on the correct performance of the latter. People need support of others to arrange ritual for them at all times -- proper care for those who are mourning, sick and suffering, involves the performance of ritual on the part of care-givers.

Ritual is a nutritious action by which we feed right relations with the world -- as Prechtel puts it, feeding the holy in nature.

Ritual catharsis provides a secure container for the transmutation of extreme emotions. It is the middle way between the two destructive extremes of repression and uncontolled expression.

Without open expression of grief, open celebration of praise is impossible, and vice versa.

Physical pain and sickness is a way for the eloquent body to communicate imbalance in the relation between self and world -- ritual is the means by which such imbalances are corrected.

Ritual performed incorrectly is often worse than no ritual at all.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book went beyond interesting to helpful because Somé was able to take Dagara experiences which may seem too far removed from a western cultural field of experience and map them to a more situational problem. His time spent in both cultures gives him valuable insights that are frequently challenging to get if someone from the western culture is just reading about indigenous wisdom. I so appreciate that. And I realized how much of what he said resonated deep in my soma as truth.

I had the opportunity to participate in a group grieving session recently that was unplanned and spontaneous and even that small experience helped me so much in finding grounding in balance in a world that is seriously awry and for which, he rightly points out - I have no communal or group support to help me with. I found his suggestions to be powerful and I am interested to see how to bring them into my family and community.

A bow to the wisdom of the correctly-named Malidoma.

[Lena · Rating 4 out of 5]

According to Somé, one way to lead a ritualized life is to give thanks to the spirits/Spirit etc. at the beginning of any endeavor. Ancestor Somé, thank you so much for writing this book. Your work has given me much to think about especially when I'm feeling cut off from the Sacred. I was introduced to Maldoma Somé’s Ritual as part of my coursework with the Conscious Dying Institute - this book is a quick read that packs a serious punch. Some of the gifts Ritual gives us include strong definitions of community, and a reimagining of the role of grief (the vehicle by which we can transport our dead into the realm of the ancestors). I would definitely recommend this to anyone doing Doula work or looking to connect back to the “old ways.”

My favorite line: Each person is sent to this outpost called Earth to work on a project that is intended to keep Cosmic order healthy.

[Michael Capstack · Rating 3 out of 5]

The description of rituals and connection to nature is quite powerful, I truly enjoyed those parts of the book. And yes, Western thought is very much focused on unhealthy attitudes and a disconnect with nature. What I didn’t like so much is the idea that because Westerners do not have funeral rituals like they do, it means we are inferior or don’t grieve properly. The whole “We are better than you” mindset doesn’t fit well with me regardless of whether it is coming from Westerners towards another culture or vice versa. I think there are valid points to both types of funeral rituals, there is no one true way.

[EmberMantles · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author talks as though all ancestors want the same thing, and so all ritual should follow the same basic rules. But this does not account for cultural differences. My Irish ancestors have different values from my Norwegian ancestors, and both have different values than Malidoma's Dagara ancestors.

I agree with the premise that western culture is lacking in ritual. But the answer is not to import Dagara ritual as though it's a universal truth. The answer is to connect with our own heritage, and re-discover the rituals that we've lost.

[Dianne Daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book - in-depth information on the tribal sensibilities, reasons for their rituals, and the relationships between members of the community. I also liked the amount of detail provided in the book, and the tone of the book.

It made me want to learn more and to perhaps visit their community.

I also now want to know more about my own ancestral traditions and who the elders would be that helped educate others on the ways of honoring elders, conducting burials, etc.

[S. Lodro · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The only place where abundance is warranted is in nature. A person who wastes is a person who insults the gods. In light of the waste encountered in the modern world, one wonders if anyone knows that there is a world outside of this abundance where people are aware of priorities other than materialism."

[marley · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

i had to read this for school, but honestly was not disappointed. this is obviously not a book i would have picked up myself, but gave insight into indigenous psychology & life. i would reccomend this to anyone who is interested in the Dagara people, their beliefs of ritual, and the comparsion to western life!

[James G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this book, so I did not get to do the kind of reading, where I highlight sections and pull quotes, as I like to do. But at the same time, it remains an important touchdown for me. And it ends up that so many of my colleagues and peers knew the author and work under his influence.it’s an important work.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of the chapters are long strings of proverbs. By the end it became pretty difficult to remember most of them and how they were related to each other. I also think his critique of the western world could have done with better examples too.
Despite all this, I really enjoy Somé's writing on community. Would definitely get a lot more out of it on a reread.

[Demilade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gives you a lot to think about, especially with consumerism, western culture and service to soul-less entities in the name of work. The description of Dagara funerals was so vivid, it scared me a bit.

[Max · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took a while for me to digest. I started it over because I felt I was missing something. I’m glad I did because it became something I could not put down. I’m going to read it again! It has a permanent place on my desk’s bookshelf.

[Allison Vazquez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would give 3.5 stars if I could. Really easy & quick read. Makes really interesting commentary on how modernity is void of ritual- we have nothing to fuel our souls and truly connected our communities.

[Eden Sipperly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just not what I wanted it to be and unapplicable to my life in a way that surprised me, thinking it would be a book about ritualizing our lives. Still interesting in a way, but from a very specific lens

[Tamira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid book on ritual. Great personal stories woven together with practical elements of ritual that everyone would benefit from knowing.

[Antoni Comrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

An almost empty book. Dealt with less than the surface of the issues it raises in its titles. Weak examples, vague ideas and no major lessons