The Nso’ Concept of Time
An African Cosmological Perspective
Summary
The book is an important new contribution to African philosophy, cultural anthropology, African traditional religion, cosmology, and African metaphysics. It will appeal to scholars and students in a wide range of related disciplines.
"This book is most certainly a first in the study of the Nso’ concept of time. Remi Prospero Fonka has excavated, carefully analyzed, and presented in readable form, a complex metaphysics of time within the Nso’ worldview. Students and researchers in African cultural studies, philosophy, anthropology, and sociology will find this book a useful resource. Those interested in comparative philosophy will also find in this book a cross-cultural phenomenological confrontation with Western cosmo-metaphysical models."—Nelson Shang, Lecturer of Philosophy, The University of Bamenda and The Catholic University of Cameroon, Bamenda
"By highlighting the importance of always considering the concept of time alongside aspects of the universe or cosmos, Remi Prospero Fonka succinctly and with meticulous methodology, avails the opportunity for an understanding of the measurement of African time. The cross-cultural confrontations especially with phenomenological existentialists makes this book a necessary tool for students and researchers in multicultural studies, African philosophy, cosmology, African traditional religion, and African metaphysics."—Valentine Banfegha Ngalim, Associate Professor of Philosophy, The University of Bamenda, Cameroon
Excerpt
Table Of Contents
- Cover
- Advance Praise
- Title
- Copyright
- About the author
- About the book
- This eBook can be cited
- Table of Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- General Introduction
- CHAPTER ONE UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF TIME IN THE NSO’ WORLD VIEW
- 1.1. African Cosmology/Universe Vis-à-vis the Nso´ World View
- 1.2. Etymology of Cosmology in Relation to Nso´
- 1.2.1. Nature of the Universe According to the Nso´
- 1.2.2. Nso´ Categories of Being
- 1.3. Man and the Cosmos
- 1.4. The Notion of Time
- 1.5. Occasions and Events as Determinants of Time
- 1.5.1. Birth Recordings
- 1.5.2. Marriage Recordings
- 1.5.3. Death and Immortality
- 1.6. Attitude and Dimensions of Time
- 1.6.1. The Past
- 1.6.2. The Present
- 1.6.3. The Future
- 1.7. Time and Order in the Nso´ World View
- CHAPTER TWO TIME RECKONING IN NSO’ AND TRADITIONAL RELIGIOUS IMPLICATIONS
- 2.1. The Cosmic Cycle
- 2.1.1. Daytime
- 2.1.2. Night-time
- 2.1.3. Recapitulation on Day and Night Time
- 2.2. The Nso´ Calendar and the Metaphysics of Time
- 2.2.1. The Week
- 2.2.2. The Month
- 2.2.3. The Year
- 2.3. Traditional Politics and the Concept of Time
- 2.4. Time and Morality
- 2.5. Cosmic Justice and Time
- 2.6. Time and Divination
- 2.7. Time and Naming in Nso´ Traditional Religion
- CHAPTER THREE RELEVANCE OF THE NSO’ CONCEPT OF TIME AND COSMOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS
- 3.1. Destiny and Immortality
- 3.2. Causality and Time
- 3.3. Time and Epistemology
- 3.4. Time as Marking Beginning and End
- 3.5. Time as a Prescription and Regulator of Human Conduct
- 3.6. Maintenance of Order and Design
- 3.7. Guarantor of Good Health Measures
- 3.8. The Impact of Time Reckoning and Forecast
- 3.8.1. Agricultural Societal Factors and Observation of Celestial Bodies
- 3.8.2. Societal Factors and Observation of the Celestial Bodies
- 3.8.3. Religious Ceremonies, Timing of Traditional Sacrifices and Infinite Being
- 3.9. Time and Archaeological Recordings
- 3.10. Philosophy of History and the Nso´ Concept of Time
- 3.11. Dimensions of Destiny in Relation to the Nso´ Concept of Time
- 3.12. Nso´ Concept of Time and Christian Eschatology
- 3.12.1. Destination and Eternity
- 3.12.2. Eternity Invades Time
- 3.13. Relevance of Nso´ Perception of Death and Life after Death
- 3.13.1. Understanding the Dimensions of Death
- 3.13.2. Consideration of Life after Death
- 3.13.3. Justification of Communication with the Dead
- 3.13.4. Review and Revisiting Eschatological Dimensions
- 3.13.5. Understanding the Process of Death
- 3.14. Cross-cultural Phenomenological Implications
- General Conclusion
- Bibliography
- Index of Lamnso Words and Phrases
Preface
An overview of cosmology with an African bias has the concept of time as a central feature. Examining The Nso´ Concept of Time: An African Cosmological Perspective, and also drawing from cross-cultural African heterogeneity and few isolated authors, locates Cosmology as testing ground for philosophical ideas, lying at the limits of notions of space, time, and causality. This current study isolates time (ghan), as understood by the Nso´,commencing with a general introduction that apart from the context of its problem comprises of three comprehensive chapters. The first chapter puts forward some foundational features that enable an in-depth analysis and relevance of the subsequent two chapters. This chapter is based on reflections on the concept of time within the Nso´ world view. Strikingly, in the African context as illustrated by the Nso´, time is not measured independently of events. An understanding of the concept of time within the Nso´ cultural background is thus impossible without clarifying aspects of the universe. This is done by considering “actual time” in relation to what is present and that which is past, while future events remain virtual and at most termed “immediate future.”
In the second chapter, we dwell on aspects of time reckoning in Nso´ and traditional religious implications. The religious implications of the concept of time especially in Nso´ connects to extensive consideration of weekly, monthly, and annual calendar,studying these within the context of the metaphysics of time. Morality, cosmic justice, and the naming rite is regarded intensely. Equally, the ←xi | xii→other dimension of time commences with indiscriminate referencing of the past in relation to the present and predicative of an immediate or proximate future.
Chapter three focuses on the relevance of the Nso´ concept of time,carrying forward basic discussions and further expanding on related cultural fundamentals in cosmology and related disciplines. This complements further deliberations of time in the Nso´ world view, interconnected to eschatological implications andalso highlighting prospects of life apropos destiny and pilgrimage. In another realm, intentions in relation to time in Nso´ are said to have moral consequences whenever there is infringement of societal or communal laws. Thus, any defaulter already anticipates some reward or punishment,and there is preparedness for eventuality of death, concern about restless or too mobile persons, and inclination to submit to counsel or advice at all times. This connects to features of indefinite and undetermined time,highlighting the fact that allowance is always given for unpredicted eventualities. Intensely, orientation here is to “some other time,” drawing on board possibilities of postponement of activities for justified reasons, adjournment, and rescheduling of appointments. Thus, in line with empirical apperception of time and the notion of history in Bantu, exemplified by the Nso´, there is enormous reliability on the centrality or significance of language. Alongside philosophical concepts such as causality, epistemology, and philosophy of history, there is a rich cross-cultural phenomenological confrontation with Western paradigms. Interestingly, the attraction of eschatological implications, dimensions of destiny, and cross-cultural confrontations with works of phenomenological existentialists highlights the significance of this research.
Finally, it suffices to mention here that our investigation does not in any way claim to be exhaustive and certainly contains a series of questions that arouse interest for future research. This should definitely constitute an opening to further exploration or the possibility of successive revisions. The rich bibliography which is also not exhaustive, and the index of Lamnso’ words and phrases, avail the opportunity for better comprehension.
Remi Prospero Fonka
January 2023
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I especially want to express gratitude to those who in various ways have contributed to the realization of this book. Heartfelt thanks goes first to my mentor, Rev. Fr. Christian Mofor (R.I.P.) for the inspiration in my initial philosophical journey. He aroused interest in me for African philosophical studies and Ancient Philosophy with cosmological overtones.
My greatest debt is to members of staff of the philosophy department in S.T.A.M.S. Bambui and CATUC Bamenda, from the year 2011 till date for ideas shared, encouragement, critical minds, and availability. The library of St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary Bambui was of great importance. Equally, master’s students with whom I shared ideas, particularly Fr. Niba Angu Nginyu, who painstakingly went through the manuscript is highly appreciated.
Furthermore, I am grateful to my professors and mates of Pontificia Universita Antonianum, Rome, especially of the faculty of philosophy. This leads me to say thank you to those who assisted me financially. Amongst others, I am grateful in a special way to Ms. Adeline Kemjei Fonka, Dr. Asheri Kilo, Ms. Magdalene Nyanyoh T., Dr. Nicholas Tar, Mr. Bimenyuy Viban, Ms. Cleopatra Fonka (and her husband and kids), and Ms. Lomai Clarisse D.
Finally, my thanks and appreciation goes to the Archbishop of Bamenda, Mgr. Andrew F. Nkea for granting me accommodation in St. Gabriel’s Parish Alamatu, my house mates (Frs. Anthony Bangsi and Maxellus Keye), and the ←xiii | xiv→Alamatu Christian community for their love and concern. I am grateful to everyone, mentioned or unmentioned. May our mutual generosity be rewarded with abundant blessings.
Bamenda, 2023
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
An overview of cosmology with an African bias has the concept of time as a central feature. Cosmology may be said to have gone through three major phases, each associated with a single major figure: Aristotle, Newton, and Einstein. The ancient Greeks were the first to attempt to give a reasoned account of the cosmos. Aristotle constructed a complex interlocking set of spheres centred on an immovable central earth to account for the motions of the heavenly bodies. Newton formulated a theory of gravitational force that required space and time to be both absolute and infinite. Although the laws of nature could, in principle, be specified, nothing could be said about the origins or overall structure of the cosmos. In 1915, Einstein proposed a general relativity whose fieldequations could be satisfied by numerous universemodels.
Drawing from the above assertions and named authors, Cosmology is, as it has always been, a testing ground for philosophical ideas, lying at the limits of our notions of space, time, and causality. This current study has isolated time (ghan),1 as understood by the Nso´.2 Notwithstanding this unbiased approach, time within ←1 | 2→this cultural context cannot be treated in isolation to space and causality. These three features are intrinsically connected in the Nso´world view and cosmological implications. Equally, a careful study of the history of symbolism, which is very central in cosmology, shows that everything natural, man-made, and abstract forms assume symbolic significance. The whole cosmos is thus a potential symbol. Similarly, in the daily life of a really traditional Nso´ man, symbols play a very important and succinct role in the consideration of time.
Details
- Pages
- XVI, 126
- ISBN (PDF)
- 9781433198014
- ISBN (ePUB)
- 9781433198021
- ISBN (Hardcover)
- 9781433198007
- DOI
- 10.3726/b19813
- Language
- English
- Publication date
- 2023 (January)
- Keywords
- Concept time cosmology actual time reckoning relevance prospects perspective
- Published
- New York, Berlin, Bruxelles, Lausanne, Oxford, 2023. XVI, 142 pp.
