The Ban of the Bori Demons and Demon-Dancing in West and North Africa by Tremearne, Major A.J. N - 1914

London: Heath, Cranton & Ouseley Ltd. , 1914. First edition. Cloth. Good. 9" by 6". Unamed. An exploration the Bori religion and the practise of Demon-Dancing in the countries in the West and North Africa. A lavishly illustrated work with a colour frontispiece, 60 photographic illustrations and 47 figures. Collated complete. This particular work from the early 20th century focuses on the practice of Demon-Dancing, in the Bori faith. Bori or Hausa Animism is a traditional religion found largely in West Africa, with a belief in spirit possession. In this particular work Tremearne explore the practises of this religious group, and the belief in spirits and demons. Written by Major A. J. N. Tremearne, a 19th century anthropologist and ethnographer, who published several works on the continent of Africa throughout the early 20th century. He died on active duty in The Battle of Loos. He is best remembered for the creation of a head measuring instrument to aid anthropological study. In the… Read More

THE BAN OF THE BORI / DEMONS AND DEMON-DANCING IN WEST AND NORTH AFRICA, Heath, Cranton & Ouseley, 1914, first edition, a little dust-soiling to the page edges and a tiny nick to the upper edge of front cover, else a near fine copy in the publishers original pictorial cloth binding lettered and stamped in gold and black with colored frontispiece, 60 photographic illustrations and 47 figures in the text.

London: Heath, Cranton & Ouseley, 1914. First edition. Coloured frontispiece, 60 photographs and 47 figures in text. 8vo, publisher’s original polished tan cloth lettered and pictorially decorated in gilt and black on the spine and upper cover. 497, 6 ads pp. A bright and handsome copy with clean photographs throughout. FIRST EDITION AND SCARCE.Anthropologist Tremearne spent much of his career studying the people of Africa. Here he discusses the magical spirit world of the Hausa people and the religious customs around demons and the resultant demon dancing. A fine copy of a scarce book.