Under the Kapok Tree

In this companion volume to Parallel Worlds, Alma Gottlieb

explores ideology and social practices among the Beng people of Côte

d'Ivoire. Employing symbolic and postmodern perspectives, she highlights

the dynamically paired notions of identity and difference, symbolized by

the kapok tree planted at the center of every Beng village.

“This book merits a number of readings. . . . An experiment in

ethnography that future projects might well emulate.” —Clarke K. Speed,

American Anthropologist

“[An] evocative, rich ethnography. . . . Gottlieb does anthropology a

real service.” —Misty L. Bastian, American Ethnologist

“Richly detailed. . . . This book offers a nuanced descriptive analysis

which commands authority.” —Elizabeth Tonkin, Man

“Exemplary. . . . Gottlieb’s observations on identity and difference are

not confined to rituals or other special occasions; rather she shows

that these principles emerge with equal force during daily social life.”

—Monni Adams, Journal of African Religion

“[An] excellent study.” —John McCall, Journal of Folklore

Research