African Societies

African Societies unites two main strands of anthropology teaching: analytical concepts used in the study of social systems; and the detailed study of particular societies.

Lucy Mair (Author)

9780521098540, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 12 September 1974

260 pages
21.6 x 14 x 1.5 cm, 0.34 kg

In African Societies, Lucy Mair unites the two main strands of anthropology teaching: the discussion and illustration of the various analytical concepts used by anthropologists in the study of social systems; and ethnography – the detailed study of particular societies, nowadays obtained by participant observation. All societies discussed are in sub-Saharan Africa. This 1977 book will be of great use to students of social anthropology studying ethnography. Presenting as it does brief ethnographic accounts of a wide variety of African societies, as well as exemplifications and discussions of many theoretical concepts, the book offers the reader quick and easy access to a large body of information which previously had to be mined from a large number of monographs.

1. African societies
2. Food-gatherers: the Mbuti Pygmies
3. Nomad herdsmen: the Karimojong
4. Cultivators: the Gwembe Tonga
5. Agnatic descent: the Tallensi
6. Matrilineal descent: the Lele
7. Matrilineal descent: the Plateau Tongo
8. Double unilineal descent: the Yakö
9. Cognatic descent: the Ndendeuli
10. An acephalous political system: the Nuer
11. Law in an age-based political system: the Arusha
12. Kingdoms
13. Checks and balances: Benin
14. Stratified policies: Rwanda and Burundi
15. Old wine in new bottles: Bunyoro and Buganda
16. Religion and Society: the Dinka
17. Religion and science: the Kalabari
18. Witchcraft and oracles: the Azande
19. Witchcraft and morals: the Nyakyusa
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Anthropology [JHM]