The case history is based on the health experiences of a boy in the first years of his life. The author aims to shed some light on one of the crucial medical problems of the Third World: the... Show moreThe case history is based on the health experiences of a boy in the first years of his life. The author aims to shed some light on one of the crucial medical problems of the Third World: the interplay between cosmopolitan (i.e. western, modern) medicine, and such other forms of medicine as exist locally. He argues that the health behaviour of the people involved in the case are rational and understandable. In a postscript (pp. 87-90) he explains his position on the role of cognition more fully. Show less
Deux des limitations majeurs des études sur les migration en Afrique Noire sont leur orientation axée vers l'analyse des caractéristiques et motivations individuelles des migrants et la négligence... Show moreDeux des limitations majeurs des études sur les migration en Afrique Noire sont leur orientation axée vers l'analyse des caractéristiques et motivations individuelles des migrants et la négligence de l'évaluation des conséquences sur les lieux de départ. Ce rapport, résultat d'une recherche menée en 1974 et 1975 par des chercheurs de l'Afrika-Studiecentrum dans quatre villages de Basse Casamance (Sénégal) vise à partiellement corriger ces carences. Pour ce faire, les auteurs adoptent une approche multidisciplinaire intégrée, tenant compte aussi bien des élémants micro- et macroéconomiques que de la stratégie de développement du pays et de ses effets de toutes natures. Ils mettent en lumière la multiplicité des facteurs entrant en jeu dans l'explication du phénomène migratoire et montrent la complexité de leurs interrelations. Ils analysent aussi les conséquences sur les lieux de départ. Show less
Gerold-Scheepers, J.F.A.; Binsbergen, W.M.J. van 1978
In the more sophisticated studies on migration in tropical Africa aiming at explanation of migratory phenomena the major distinctions have been those between structural and methodological... Show moreIn the more sophisticated studies on migration in tropical Africa aiming at explanation of migratory phenomena the major distinctions have been those between structural and methodological-individualist approaches, and, within the structural approach, between recent marxism on the one hand and structural-functionalism on the other, the latter having dominated the social-scientific study of African migration since the 1950s. The A's discuss the structural approach, in both its marxist and non-marxist versions, in the light of the question linking migration and rural development: does migration foster rural development by bringing about an optimal distribution of human resources, or, on the contrary, does migration constitute a drain on the labour and material resources of rural areas? They concentrate on anthropological and sociological studies. Sections: Introduction - The structural-functionalist approach - Marxist approaches - Conclusion. Show less
Introduction to a volume of papers delivered during the 1977 conference of the Afrika-Studiecentrum in Leiden with the theme of 'Migration and rural development in Tropical Africa'. The... Show moreIntroduction to a volume of papers delivered during the 1977 conference of the Afrika-Studiecentrum in Leiden with the theme of 'Migration and rural development in Tropical Africa'. The geographical coverage of this volume includes West- and Southern Africa, bu does not extend to East or Central Africa. Th papers discuss the main problems of migration in Tropical Africa, namely: 1. The definition of migration, 2. Description of migration streams, 3. Forces behind migration; structure versus individual motivation. 4. The nature of the sectors between which migration takes place, 5. The historical processes by which these different sectors have emerged. 6. The political and economic processes by which the differences between sectors are perpetuated, 7. The social processes by which the different sectors are connected, 8. Migration and rural development. The A's in part 3 end with the general problem that relates to the subjective appreciation of contemporary African conditions, among researchers. Show less
Economists have long neglected changes in labour use in the different sectors. They were primarily interested in the 'most growth inducing production factors' of which capital formation was... Show moreEconomists have long neglected changes in labour use in the different sectors. They were primarily interested in the 'most growth inducing production factors' of which capital formation was thought to be the most effective. However, the record of groving urban unemployment and growing imbalances in ruralurban income and job opportunities has forced economists to reconsider their rigid adjustment models of efficient allocation of the production factors between sectors leading to, in the end, equal seetoral marginal productivities. This paper provides a description of the changes in the approach and the interpretation of labour transfers between sectors and regions (which is in fact what labour migration is about) in economic development theory. Furthermore the A. determines whether these academic studies have led to a more effective migration policy as pursued by the governments of the underdeveloped countries. Show less
In the first part of this essay the development of the study of African history is sketched, and the historical studies written by professional African historians from 1955 to 1972-3 are analysed.... Show moreIn the first part of this essay the development of the study of African history is sketched, and the historical studies written by professional African historians from 1955 to 1972-3 are analysed. Special attention is paid to the manisfestoes of the 1960s, programmatical declarations of what African history should be and how it should be written. Part two traces in detail what historical studis were actually produced in the fifteen years that followed independence in one particular West African country, Nigeria Show less
Leiden : African Studies Centre (ASC Research report, no. 5), p. 242, 1977. This preliminary survey provides, in a reference format, a compendium of legislation potentially affecting the growth,... Show moreLeiden : African Studies Centre (ASC Research report, no. 5), p. 242, 1977. This preliminary survey provides, in a reference format, a compendium of legislation potentially affecting the growth, distribution and composition of thepopulation in Senegal. It starts with an introduction to the characteristics ofthe population and then centres itself on the description of legislation affecting morality, migration and fertility. Among regulations reviewed are those governing health facilities control, health insurance and medical assistance, educatin and licensing of health professionals, production, importation and distribution of medicines, environmental protection, nationality, civil registration, internal population movement, immigration and outmigration, status of women, marriage, family planning, child and public welfare, inheritance, military service and penal institutions. Show less
A generic relation holds between two types of cult of affliction in formerly Barotseland. Cults of one type, the non-regional, form a substratum out of which cults of the other type, the regional,... Show moreA generic relation holds between two types of cult of affliction in formerly Barotseland. Cults of one type, the non-regional, form a substratum out of which cults of the other type, the regional, may spring forth under certain conditions, and into which they submerge again under different conditions. The author compares in some detail, to a large extent based on oral-historical data, the development of two regional cults in order to make clear the presumable importance of two series of variables: characteristics of idiom and internal organizational structure, of the cult, and the structural characteristics (the demographic pattern and the occurence of other formal interlocal organizations) of the geographical area which the cult transforms into a cultic region. Show less
Review of Robert H. Bates, Rural Responses to Industrialization: A Study of Village Zambia, New Haven & London, 1976. Even though this book is important because it is a major step towards... Show moreReview of Robert H. Bates, Rural Responses to Industrialization: A Study of Village Zambia, New Haven & London, 1976. Even though this book is important because it is a major step towards asking the right questions concerning the transformation of Central-African society, the reviewer argues that most of Bates' answers to the emerging questions are wrong. Sections: Introduction - Structure and method - Tribute to Francis Bacon: Bates' quantitative analysis - Occam and the limits of income maximalization - Conclusion: towards an alternative. Notes, tables Show less
States that formal Local Courts did exist all right, but they were peripheral rather than central to the judicial process, and to the conflict-regulatory process in general, and such conflictws as... Show moreStates that formal Local Courts did exist all right, but they were peripheral rather than central to the judicial process, and to the conflict-regulatory process in general, and such conflictws as most deeply concerned and aroused local communities, were hardly subject to formal litigation in these courts. First argues these statements concerning the Nkoya legal system, qualifies them in the light of the actual occurrence of Local Court cases under specific conditions. After an attempt to interpret the Nkoyal legal situation against the dynamics of their village society, the Nkoya to the Central Lozi and other Central African groups are briefly compared. Notes Show less
V.W. Turner's theory of ritual symbolism among the Ndembu Lunda (1958) is analysed with regard to its applicability to urban ritual. Main purpose in this paper is not to provide a thorough summary... Show moreV.W. Turner's theory of ritual symbolism among the Ndembu Lunda (1958) is analysed with regard to its applicability to urban ritual. Main purpose in this paper is not to provide a thorough summary and evaluation of Turner's work, but to consider only one limited portion of it, use it to introduce some of the major theoretical problems which both Turner's and the author's own work are facing, then move away from Turner's work and proceed to indicate the direction from which a part solution may be expected in future. The results of the analyses are brought into the context of the experience gathered by the author during fieldwork among the Nkoya (some 250 km. away from the Ndembu). Manipulation of ritual concerning illness and death seems to provide a major basis for power in the social structure of the village, particularly between members of different generations. The same situation obtains among urban Nkoya. The Nkoya data demonstrate weak spots in the body of establishe theory and suggest an alternative approach. Understanding of the non-ritual basis of ritual may well provide a lever for change. Ref Show less
Brief elucidation of the diverse contributions to a special issue of "African Perspectives" concerning religious innovation in modern African society. Ref
This article explores the deeper structural implications of the Lumpa rising in 1964, in the context of religious innovation, class formation, and the state in Zambia. After having mentioned the... Show moreThis article explores the deeper structural implications of the Lumpa rising in 1964, in the context of religious innovation, class formation, and the state in Zambia. After having mentioned the specific problems raised by Lumpa, the A. first discusses the background of religious innovation in Central Africa; then he places Lumpa in this context; then a discussion of its confrontation with nationalism, he deals with the problems of incorporation and legitimation of the Zambian state from a more general point of view Show less
Deze verhandeling beoogt een vergelijking tussen twee soorten rechtspraak in Noord-Togo, het westers georiënteerd recht en een verscheidenheid van plaatselijk verschillend volksrecht. De... Show moreDeze verhandeling beoogt een vergelijking tussen twee soorten rechtspraak in Noord-Togo, het westers georiënteerd recht en een verscheidenheid van plaatselijk verschillend volksrecht. De rechtspraak vormt een duidelijk spanningsveld tussen een van "boven af" of "centraal" gedirigeerde hervormingsdrang en een van "onder af" of van "binnen uit" lokaal gedirigeerde behoudzucht. Kernstuk van de vergelijking is een uitvoerige beschrijving en analyse van een negental gelijksoortige geschillen (huwelijk en aanverwante kwesties). Hieraan vooraf gaat een uiteenzetting van enkele aspecten van de sociaal-familiale en sociaal-politieke organisatie en van het huwelijk bij de Anufòm en een deel over de juridische grondslagen inzake het volksrecht in Togo. Show less
Focuses upon social interaction patterns in the Housing Estate of Kitale (Kenya). The inhabitants of this low income Housing Estate are sensitive to the same kind of spatial characteristics of... Show moreFocuses upon social interaction patterns in the Housing Estate of Kitale (Kenya). The inhabitants of this low income Housing Estate are sensitive to the same kind of spatial characteristics of housing as are people living under similar conditions in other societies. Both their economic and housing circumstances impose a strain on daily life. The inhabitants react to these circumstances by developing patterns of expectations and behaviour vis-…-vis their neighbours which resemble those of their counterparts elsewhere, despite the cultural and economic differences between societies Show less
