I have recently started reading The Way of the Elders: West African Spirituality & Tradition, by Adama and Naomi Doumbia.
To pinpoint the book,which was published in 2004:
https://www.amazon.com/Way-Elders-African-Spirituality-Tradition/dp/0738706264https://www.worldcat.org/title/way-of-the-elders-west-african-spirituality-tradition/oclc/834722978The way of the elders : West African spirituality & tradition
Author: Adama Doumbia; Naomi Doumbia
Publisher: Saint Paul, Minn. Llewellyn Publ. 2004
Edition/Format: Print book : English : 1. ed., 1 pr
View all editions and formats
Summary:
A rare and authentic look into the spirituality of West Africa, particularly the Mande culture, including fundamental beliefs that permeate tribal life. Original.
Subjects
Africa, West -- Social life and customs
Mandingo (African people) -- Folklore
Mandingo (African people) -- Religion
Being a reference librarian, it vexes me that it's so difficult to find solid facts about these authors. I think that
Naomi Doumbia is better known by another surname. I found a candidate after reading this:
Naomi Doumbia is described as ‘American born and raised’ with a PhD from the California Institute of Integral Studies. […] It looks as if Naomi Doumbia could also be known as Sanderovsky, who is white American and has taught philosophy and comparative religion at various colleges.
Now take a close look at the description of this publication:
https://www.worldcat.org/title/water-spilt-is-a-blessing-west-african-traditional-religion/oclc/213369466Water spilt is a blessing : West African traditional religion
Author: Naomi Sonia Sanderovsky; California Institute of Integral Studies.
Publisher: 2003.
Dissertation: Ph. D. California Institute of Integral Studies 2003
Edition/Format: Thesis/dissertation : Thesis/dissertation : Manuscript Archival Material : English
Subjects
Mandingo (African people) -- Religion.
Mandingo (African people) -- Rites and ceremonies.
Ethnophilosophy -- Mali.
So here is my finding: In 2003
Naomi Sonia Sanderovsky receives a Ph.D. from CIIS for a dissertation on 'West African traditional religion'. Next year, 2004,
Naomi S.S., using her husband's surname
Doumbia, and together with him (
Adama Doumbia) publishes a book about the same subject, same geographical area, same people.
So what do you think? (At least it fits exactly with what I quoted from
Engkanto.)