In the 1994 U. of Minnesota Press edition, Matory (anthropology, African and African American studies, Harvard U.) proposed a "new politics of ethnography" that recognizes the unique gendered social relationships of each culture. In a new preface to this reprint, he argues that "sex" is more culturally than genetically constructed. Taking into account colonial and postcolonial influences, he analyzes the gendered politics of the widespread West African Yoruba religion. The study includes a map of Yorubaland, recitation poems, a priestly genealogy, and notes on the ritual calendar. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)