Wim van Binsbergen, Virtuality as a key concept in
the study of globalisation: Aspects of the symbolic
transformation of contemporary AfricaWim van Binsbergen, Virtuality as a key concept in
the study of globalisation: Aspects of the symbolic
transformation of contemporary Africa
Figure 1. The global pattern of formation and diffusion of geomantic divination systems, 1000 BCE-2000 CE
Sikidy of Madagascar and Comoro Isl.
ramalasastra of India
Ifa, Fa, 'sixteen cowries', of West Africa and the New World
Southern African four-tablet system
simple geomancies of the African interior
I Ching system of China
'ilm al-raml and European derivates (since the late Middle Ages)
focal points in the distribution of geomancy: A. China (1st mill. BCE); B. N.W. Africa (before 1st mill. CE); C. South Mesopotamia (end of 1st mill. CE); D. Madagascar (2nd mill. CE); E. West Africa (2nd mill. CE)
probable diffusion pattern of geomancy
(c) 1997, 1999 Wim van Binsbergen
homepage | back to title page of Virtuality as a key concept | Notes | References