Diffusionism: geomantic divination and mankala board-games as instances of proto-globalisation Wim van Binsbergen

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Click below for constituent parts of a Internet book on the above topic.

Wim van Binsbergen -- Board-games and divination in global cultural history: a theoretical, comparative and historical perspective on mankala and geomancy in Africa and Asia

much revised and expanded version of: Van Binsbergen, W.M.J., 1995, ‘Divination and board-games: Exploring the links between geomantic divination and mancala board-games in Africa and Asia’, paper read at the international colloquium 1995: Board-games in Academia’, Leiden, 9-13 April 1995; a somewhat shortened and adapted version was published as: Van Binsbergen, W.M.J., 1997c, ‘Rethinking Africa’s contribution to global cultural history: Lessons from a comparative historical analysis of mankala board-games and geomantic divination’, in: Van Binsbergen, W.M.J., 1997, ed, Black Athena: Ten Years After, special issue, Talanta: Proceedings of the Dutch Archaeological and Historical Society, volumes XXVIII-XXIX/ 1996-1997, pp. 221-254

• Part I (Abstract and first part of the argument)
• Part II (Second part of the argument)
• Notes and references
•  

Meanwhile, kindly refer to the following publications:

van Binsbergen, W.M.J., 1994, 'Divinatie met vier tabletten: Medische technologie in Zuidelijk Afrika', in: Sjaak van der Geest, Paul ten Have, Gerhard Nijhoff en Piet Verbeek-Heida, eds., De macht der dingen: Medische technologie in cultureel perspectief, Amsterdam: Spinhuis, pp. 61-110.

van Binsbergen, W.M.J., 1995, 'Four-tablet divination as trans-regional medical technology in Southern Africa', Journal of Religion in Africa, 25, 2: 114-140.

van Binsbergen, W.M.J., 1996, 'The astrological origin of Islamic geomancy', paper read at 'The SSIPS [ Society for the Study of Islamic Philosophy and Science ] / SAGP [ Society of Ancient Greek Philosophy ] 1996, 15th Annual Conference: ''Global and Multicultural Dimensions of Ancient and Medieval Philosophy and Social Thought: Africana, Christian, Greek, Islamic, Jewish, Indigenous and Asian Traditions, Binghamton University'', Department of Philosophy/ Center for Medieval and Renaissance studies (CEMERS)

van Binsbergen, W.M.J., 1996, 'Time, space and history in African divination and board-games', in: Tiemersma, D., & Oosterling, H.A.F., eds., Time and temporality in intercultural perspective: Studies presented to Heinz Kimmerle, Amsterdam/Atlanta: Rodopi, pp. 105-125

van Binsbergen, W.M.J., 1996, 'Transregional and historical connections of four-tablet divination in Southern Africa', Journal of Religion in Africa, 26, 1: 2-29

van Binsbergen, W.M.J., 1997, 'Rethinking Africa's contribution to global cultural history: Lessons from a comparative historical analysis of mankala board-games and geomantic divination', in: van Binsbergen, W.M.J., 1997, ed., Black Athena: Ten Years After, Hoofddorp: Dutch Archaeological and Historical Society, special issue, Talanta: Proceedings of the Dutch Archaeological and Historical Society, vols 28-29, 1996-97, pp. 221-254

van Binsbergen, W.M.J., 1998, 'Sangoma in Nederland: Over integriteit in interculturele bemiddeling', in: Elias, M., & Reis, R., eds., Getuigen ondanks zichzelf: Voor Jan-Matthijs Schoffeleers bij zijn zeventigste verjaardag, Maastricht: Shaker, pp. 1-29; English version: 'Sangoma in the Netherlands: On integrity in cultural mediation', revised version included as chapter 6 in: Wim van Binsbergen, 2003, Intercultural encounters: African and anthropological lessons towards a philosophy of interculturality, Berlin/Muenster: LIT (610 pp.)

van Binsbergen, W.M.J., Web-book: Cupmarks, stellar maps, and mankala board-games (overview): An archaeoastronomical and Africanist excursion into Palaeolithic world-views

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page last modified: 06-04-04