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
e...