Inventing an African Alphabet
Writing, Art, and Kongo Culture in the DRC
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Cambridge University Press
Published:23rd Feb '23
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
Combines biography, art, and religion to explore Kongo identity and culture, and the relationship between innovation and revelation.
Focusing on the Mandombe alphabet and the life-story of its inventor, David Wabeladio Payi, Ramon Sarró combines biography, art, and religion to explore the connections between religious imagination and innovation in Kongo culture. He offers a unique case study of the search for cultural and epistemological independence in the global south.In 1978, Congolese inventor David Wabeladio Payi (1958–2013) proposed a new writing system, called Mandombe. Since then, Mandombe has grown and now has thousands of learners in not only the Democratic Republic of Congo, but also France, Angola and many other countries. Drawing upon Ramon Sarró's personal friendship with Wabeladio, this book tells the story of Wabeladio, his alphabet and the creativity that both continue to inspire. A member of the Kimbanguist church, which began as an anticolonial movement in 1921, Wabeladio and his script were deeply influenced by spirituality and Kongo culture. Combining biography, art, and religion, Sarró explores a range of ideas, from the role of pilgrimage and landscape in Wabeladio's life, to the intricacies and logic of Mandombe. Sarró situates the creative individual within a rich context of anthropological, historical and philosophical scholarship, offering a new perspective on the relationships between imagination, innovation and revelation.
'A truly fascinating book about a no less fascinating character and his inspired invention of an alphabet! Ramon Sarró explores in original ways the productive tensions between science, art and religion. In doing so, he offers us a brilliant reflection on the very process of human creativity.' Julien Bonhomme, École Normale Supérieure
'Written with compassion, sincerity, and respect, Sarró privileges the voices of Wabeladio Payi and his Congolese interlocutors as the book deftly merges biography, reflection, and ethnography. This intriguing text will shape discussions of identity, religion, Kongo nationalism, and anthropological approaches to creativity and innovation for years to come.' Yolanda Covington-Ward, University of Pittsburgh
'An authentic and significant work. It is ethnographically rooted, ethically correct, and scholarly tested. Sarro breathes new life into Kongo studies. The topic of this book, Mandombe, encapsulates thoughts about Kongo socio-cultural phenomena. A book for those interested in African ontology, history, and savoir-faire, particularly the Kongo.' Adrien N. Ngudiankama, President and Founder of Kongo Academy, Inc.
'A multifaceted exploration of Kimbanguism, Kongo culture and expressions of identity, Sarro examines Wabeladio Payi's system of writing to explore human creativity and epistemology in a religious register. The evocative descriptions and lyrical prose that centre the enquiry around the relationship between Payi and Sarro make this an unusual and beautiful study.' Emma Wild-Wood, University of Edinburgh
ISBN: 9781009199490
Dimensions: 235mm x 158mm x 15mm
Weight: 470g
332 pages