Mande Potters & Leatherworkers: Art and Heritage in West Africa

Rating:
Summary: Surprise
Review: As a MENDE from West Africa, I was pleasantly surprised to find a book about my tribe.....until I realized that the author wrote MANDE instead of MENDE. I have tried in vain to find information on the MANDE tribe (as we are referred to by the author). I can't believe that in the author's quest, the name of the tribe is incorrect. I only hope it is my error!

Rating:
Summary: Mande, not Mende
Review: The prior Mende reader is just looking in the wrong place--this book deals with Mande-speakers (Bamana, Malinke, etc.) of Mali and surrounding countries, and is an interesting delve into the whole question of caste in the area, as well as inherited occupations and compellingly beautiful creations. She brings out the lesser-studied arts of women, as well as the products of the leather-workers, which show trans-Saharan cross-influences and had an impact on much of West Africa. Carefully-considered and clearly-written academic work which is solid and extremely useful.

The Mende reader might well enjoy a book actually about the Mende--Ruth Phillips's "Representing Women" or Sylvia Boone's "Radiance from the Waters" (both about Mende concepts of female beauty and the Sande women's society).