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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:The concept of spirit in Akwapim Akan philosophy
Author:Minkus, Helaine K.
Year:1980
Periodical:Africa: Journal of the International African Institute
Volume:50
Issue:2
Pages:182-192
Language:English
Geographic term:Ghana
Subjects:Akan
philosophy
External links:https://www.jstor.org/stable/1159010
https://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pao:&rft_dat=xri:pao:article:4011-1980-050-00-000013
Abstract:Studies of African religions almost invariably include detailed discussions of various categories of spirits. Rarely, however, is spirit considered in the abstract. The present article explores the concept of sunsum, 'spirit', as it is employed throughout Akwapim Akan philosophy. Sunsum is the central, unifying theme which integrates the various domains of Akwapim Akan thought. The distinction between the exclusively spiritual (ye sunsum) and the inspirited (wo sunsum) figures prominently in the ontology, epistemology and theory of causality and constitutes a major premise of the philosophy. The universe in traditional Akwapim Akan thought is not divided into separate spiritual and material worlds but is most accurately regarded as one inspirited universe. The fieldwork upon which the analysis is based was conducted among Akan citizens of the Akwapim Traditional State, Ghana, from 1969-71. Note, ref., French sum.
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