Fetichism in West Africa : $b forty years' observation of native customs and superstitions

"Fetichism in West Africa: Forty Years' Observation of Native Customs and Superstitions" by Robert Hamill Nassau is a detailed record of the author's time spent studying the culture, beliefs, and traditions of tribes in West Africa, mainly the Benga and Mpongwe peoples. Nassau explores how superstition and spirituality are linked to the everyday lives of these communities, shaping their social structures and behaviors. The book opens with his arrival in West Africa, detailing interactions with different tribes as he respectfully learns their customs and beliefs. He stresses the importance of understanding their practices, showing how these rituals are central to their cultural identity, and through language and cultural immersion, becomes part of their discussions about spirituality and the importance of "fetiches."