This third volume in Offerings for Humanity—the Föllmis’ acclaimed series celebrating the spiritual heritage of various cultures—takes us to the heart of African life and thought. Olivier and Danielle Föllmi guide us on a voyage of discovery through this immense continent and its mosaic of peoples, from the Himba shepherds to the Peul nomads, from the deserts of Namibia to the savannah of Cameroon.Following the success of the first two books, Offerings and Wisdom, the Föllmis now plumb the cultural wealth of the African people, whose ancestral values have been passed on through the generations as part of a rich oral tradition. Inspiring reflections by leading African personalities—from Leopold Sedar Senghor to Nelson Mandela—are paired here with 365 beautiful and moving photographs. On the border of myth and reality, Origins opens a window onto Africa’s untold treasures of exemplary teachings and inherited wisdom.

Olivier Föllmi’s stunning photographs have won him many awards and have been seen all around the world. Each year he travels around the globe to compile Offerings for Humanity, an ambitious project whose aim is to enhance the spiritual heritage of a chosen culture using superb new photographs. He and his wife, Danielle Föllmi, have collaborated on more than 15 books, including Abrams’ Buddhist Himalayas (with Matthieu Ricard), Offerings: Buddhist Wisdom for Every Day, and Wisdom: 365 Thoughts from Indian Masters.