The global and the local with a focus on Africa

Among those characteristics shared by all human groups, language is ranked very high. When referring to the informal use of language, we often use the label "talk." Through various genres and forms of talk, people share their interpretation of events and experiences, public and private. Each social/cultural group labels these varieties of talk with its own terms, but certainly narrative is one of the most prominent forms that occupies a position of great significance around the globe

Winning an Election with Performance: Crossing Thresholds in Ghana

Os políticos em Gana regozijam-se chamando uns aos outros de “canalhas perversos” (wicked rascals) e frequentemente se envolvem em ataques e contra-ataques, a chamada “política do pingue-pongue”. Valendo-se do poder da performance, em 2008, um político com boa educação formal recorreu a uma estratégia inovadora na campanha eleitoral: conjurou uma maldição, insinuando que o partido rival havia feito acusações falsas contra o seu partido. Fazendo uso da mídia moderna, ele persuadiu os eleitores e seu partido saiu vitorioso. Este artigo explora o elevado valor atribuído à performance na cultura asante e o papel da maldição na sociedade. Argumenta-se que a performance serve como força dinâmica para a interação social e política, possibilitando transpor limiares na prática e revelar contradições por meio da performance de rituais.Politicians in Ghana relish calling each other “wicked rascals,” and frequently engage in attacks and counter attacks, labeled “ping pong politics.” Utilizing the power of performance, in 2008, one well -educated politician employed an innovative strategy in the election campaign. He invoked a curse implying the opposition party was guilty of false accusations against his party. Using the modern media he persuaded the voters, and his party was victorious. The paper explores the high value placed on performance in Asante culture and the role of curse in the society. It argues that performance serves as the dynamic force for social and political interaction, making it possible to cross thresholds in practice and to reveal contradictions through the performance of ritual

The global and the local with a focus on Africa (Chinese)

Among those characteristics shared by all human groups, language is ranked very high. When referring to the informal use of language, we often use the label "talk." Through various genres and forms of talk, people share their interpretation of events and experiences, public and private. Each social/cultural group labels these varieties of talk with its own terms, but certainly narrative is one of the most prominent forms that occupies a position of great significance around the globe

Asante Queenmothers: Precolonial Authority in a Postcolonial Society

While the Asantehene and the Asantehemmaa are well known figures in Ghana, less familiar are the many queen mothers who function in parallel roles to chiefs in every Asante town and paramountcy. Ignored by the British and generally bypassed by modern Ghanaian leaders, queen mothers have nevertheless continued to serve their constituencies faithfully. More recently, however, globalization has discovered them, and external sources are beginning to seek them out for local projects. Yet, queen mothers continue to face serious obstacles as a precolonial female authority in a postcolonial society. Résumé Bien que le Roi et la Reine des Asante soient très connus au Ghana, la plupart des Reines-mères qui jouent parallèlement les rôles de chefs dans tous les milieux Asante sont moins reconnues. En dépit du fait qu'elles sont ignorées par les Britaniques et non reconnues en général par les leaders ghanéens actuels, les Reines-mères continuent de servir loyalement leurs chefferies. Cependant, le concept de la mondialisation a très récemment permis de les redécouvrir. C'est ainsi que des organisations étrangères commencent à les repérer pour des projets locaux. Après tout, les Reines-mères font toujours face à de sérieux problèmes par le fait qu'elles constituent un pouvoir féminin précolonial dans une société postcoloniale. Inst. Af. Stud Vol.19(2) 2003: 1-1

The Performance of Litigation: Asante Custom and the Juaben Court

Providing an overview of Asante legal and philosophical principles establishes that the performance of litigation in Asante is more than simply the resolution of a dispute, but is an exercise in identity and citizenship. Focusing on Juaben and the Juabenhene's court, we see that utilizing the courts affirms an individual's position in the cultural system even as it addresses a conflict. Not only are the concepts and principles of the Akan cultural system the basis for legal practices of the court, but a litigant enacts a particular role (narrates the story and shows respect) and engages with others in specific roles determined by the discourse of the court. Through its operation, the court recreates an Asante reality and identity, equally as influential on the litigants as the outcome of the case brought before the court

The Self in ‘Fieldwork’: A Methodological Concern

As concepts of reflexivity and postcolonial perspectives have advanced our understandings of the way we represent those we study, they have also introduced a consciousness of the role of the self in research. This article reviews the history of the field of folklore with regard to the method of obtaining data or texts and demonstrates that collecting material contrasts with the practice of conducting research in the field. Pointing to a moment of transition, it shows that theories of folklore had to undergo significant change before methods of research would acknowledge the identity of the fieldworker and its significance