Ethnology of A-Kamba and Other East African Tribes

The first ethnography of the Kamba, written by C. W. Hobley (1867–1947) and first published in 1910.

C. W. Hobley (Author)

9781108010443, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 2 October 2010

250 pages, 44 b/w illus. 1 map
21.6 x 14 x 1.4 cm, 0.32 kg

C. W. Hobley (1867–1947) was a colonial administrator who was stationed in Kenya between 1894 and 1921. Following the implementation of Indirect Rule in Kenya, indigenous law and custom were followed in political and judicial proceedings, with the colonial administration requiring a working knowledge of traditional customs. This book contains information collected by C. W. Hobley during his tenure as administrator of Nyanza Province and was first published in 1910 as part of the Cambridge Archaeological and Ethnological Series. This detailed ethnography was the first systematic survey of the Kamba people, and provides a comprehensive description of their traditional society, cultural practices and political and economic life. A description of the social organization of the Masai people is also provided. This volume contains views on ethnicity which were acceptable at the time it was first published.

Preface
Prefatory note
Part I: 1. Distribution of the A-Kamba
2. Physical characteristics
3. Food, meals, etc.
4. Personal ornamentation, etc.
5. Agriculture and crops
6. Cattle brands, etc.
7. Industries and arts
8. Dress, personal ornaments, etc.
9. Weapons, warfare, etc.
10. Social and other grades of kinship
11. Salutations, measurement of time, natural phenomena, dances, riddles, etc.
12. Miscellaneous
13. Birth customs
14. Marriage customs
15. Death and burial customs
16. Circumcision
17. Law, land tenure, etc.
18. Religion and beliefs
19. Medicine men, magic, etc.
20. Prohibitions, omens, etc.
21. Folk lore
Part II: 1. Social organization of the Masai
2. Names of children, shield patterns, cattle brands
3. Early colonization of British east African highlands
4. A-Kikuyu history and notes on land tenure, magic, etc.
5. Notes on the Mogogodo tribe, with vocabulary
6. Notes on the Mweru tribe
7. Notes on the Sambur, Laikipiak, Elgeyo, Uasingishu tribes and their sub-divisions
Appendix
Index
Map.

Subject Areas: Social & cultural anthropology, ethnography [JHMC]