Face of the Gods: Art and Altars of Africa and the African Americas

Face of the Gods examines African and African American altar traditions across multiple regions and time periods. The book documents sacred spaces and ritual objects from Yoruba culture in Nigeria through their transformations in Cuba, Haiti, Brazil, and the United States. Thompson presents extensive research on the forms, functions and meanings of traditional African altars alongside their New World counterparts. The work includes field photographs, historical records, and interviews with priests and practitioners who maintain these sacred traditions. The analysis moves between specific altar objects, architectural spaces, and the broader cultural contexts in which they exist. Thompson examines how altar traditions adapted and evolved as they moved across the Atlantic while maintaining core spiritual and aesthetic principles. This study reveals the persistence and evolution of African spiritual practices despite historical oppression and forced migration. The work demonstrates how sacred arts and ritual spaces serve as vessels for cultural memory and repositories of ancestral wisdom.

Readers commend Thompson's documentation of African and African-American altar traditions and sacred objects, particularly the photographs and detail about religious practices in Brazil, Haiti, Nigeria, and the United States. Multiple reviews note the book helps demonstrate connections between African religious traditions and their evolution in the Americas. Likes: - Clear organization by geographic region - Over 100 photographs of altars and sacred objects - Specific examples linking African and New World practices Dislikes: - Technical language makes some sections difficult for non-academic readers - Limited availability and high price of used copies - Some readers wanted more interpretation of symbolism Ratings: Goodreads: 4.62/5 (13 ratings) Amazon: 5/5 (3 ratings) Notable quote from reader review: "Thompson connects the dots between traditional African religions and their New World offspring in a way that illuminates both." - Goodreads reviewer The book appears to have a small but dedicated readership, primarily among scholars and those studying African religious traditions.

Black Gods of the Metropolis by Leonard Priestly. Documents the migration of African religious practices to urban American spaces through ritual objects and community worship sites.

Flash of the Spirit by Robert Farris Thompson. Traces five African civilizations' influence on art and philosophy in the Americas through detailed analysis of religious symbols and artifacts.

Sacred Arts of Haitian Vodou by Donald J. Cosentino. Examines the material culture and altar traditions of Vodou through historical artifacts and contemporary practices.

Yoruba Religious Art by Edmund Barry Gaither. Maps the connections between West African Yoruba ritual objects and their continued use in diaspora communities.

Divine Inspiration: From Benin to Bahia by Phyllis Galembo. Documents sacred objects, shrines, and altars across the African diaspora through photographic documentation and cultural analysis.

🔮 Author Robert Farris Thompson pioneered the study of African and African-American art history at Yale University, where he taught for over 50 years 📿 The book explores how African altar traditions survived and evolved across the Atlantic during slavery, particularly in Brazil, Haiti, and other parts of the Americas 🏺 Thompson conducted extensive field research in Africa and the Americas for over 30 years, documenting how sacred objects and altars serve as points of contact between humans and divine forces 🎭 The book demonstrates how African religions like Yoruba and Kongo spirituality maintained their core principles while adapting to new environments and incorporating Catholic saints and imagery 🗿 Many of the altars and artifacts featured in the book challenge Western museum conventions by being "living" objects that are regularly used, modified, and renewed rather than static displays