著者

Daiji KIMURA

出版者

京都大学

雑誌

African study monographs. Supplementary issue (ISSN:02869667)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.28, pp.25-35, 2003

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The characteristics of hunter-gatherer societies have been discussed previously within the framework of social structure or in relation to various "-isms, " such as egalitarianism. Eschewing this relatively rigid structure, this report focuses on the fluid daily social interaction of the Baka Pygmies of southeastern Cameroon. First, their spatially diffusive conversation in the forest camp or roadside village is described. Then the relative calmness, and high degree of resonance, of their interactions are discussed, based on the results of analysis using the time-sampling method and video image analysis. It is conjectured that living under such "multi-connected" conditions may cause them to face an "explosion of processing effort, " in responding to the tangled interactional relationships that characterize their community. The sophisticated resonance observed in these interactions is thought to be an ethno-method for diminishing the impact of such complexity. This viewpoint is discussed in relation to hunter-gatherers' socio-ecological way of life.

著者

HAZAMA Itsuhiro

出版者

The Research Committee for African Area Studies, Kyoto University

雑誌

African study monographs. Supplementary issue. (ISSN:02869667)

巻号頁・発行日

no.56, pp.33-52, 2018-03

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In non-Western societies, citizenship is often discussed as a conceptual tool to reinforce colonial rule and orientalism. In the African context, ethnic groups, which form the cultural basis of ethnic citizenship, are believed to hinder the maturity of nation-states. Thus, the term "citizen" with respect to Africa is often regarded as an empty concept. Along these lines, this paper examines citizenship in indigenous African communities by focusing on the everyday citizenship practices of autonomous East African pastoralist societies. Rather than claim citizen rights from the state, these pastoralists have constituted moral communities with alternative citizenship agendas, which serve to maintain public security and individual livelihoods. By addressing the question of the impasse to citizenship and the logic by which East African pastoralists challenge fixed Western categorizations, this paper highlights the need to flexibly reconceptualize citizenship to create new inclusive spaces uninfluenced by race, ethnicity, class, gender, or geography.

著者

YAMAGUCHI Ryota

出版者

The Research Committee for African Area Studies, Kyoto University

雑誌

African study monographs. Supplementary issue. (ISSN:02869667)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.51, pp.37-55, 2015-03

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People living in the Congo basin forest have developed a variety of ways to use natural resources. Thus, the increase in conservation projects must be accompanied by efforts to clarify the livelihood-related conditions of local people. This paper provided a detailed investigation of the utilization of natural resources by the Bongando people living in the great ape habitat of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Specifically, the paper examined food acquisition and consumption based on direct observations and measurements, and also discussed the adequacy of food assessment approaches. Quantitative data on food acquisition and consumption at the study site showed that the amount of carbohydrates consumed was adequate; however, less animal protein was consumed by those living at the study site than by people living in great ape habitats in Africa. This suggests that availability of animal protein fluctuates, and that the Bongando people follow a dual village/forest lifestyle. Cassava leaves and other vegetables are also important protein sources. Data on the food preferences of the Bongando indicate that they strongly prefer cassava as their staple, and that they engage in sophisticated ways of cultivating leaves for consumption as food. The data also reflect the Bongando people's strong preference for wild animals, and the fact that some people avoid eating livestock. Food preferences are important factors in the success of conservation projects, as it is crucial to find ways for local people to maintain adequate caloric and protein intake that are acceptable to the people themselves and to the projects. Therefore, research based on a food assessment approach should occur in parallel with research based on direct observations. Quantitative food assessment is useful because it provides data for an entire year for a large-scale population. However, it is also necessary to conduct preliminary research to obtain basic information about a population and its use of natural resources. Research designs must be developed based on the analysis, screening, and correction of data by researchers with a deep knowledge about the local livelihoods to prevent human error.

著者

SHIGETA Masayoshi GEBRE Yntiso

出版者

The Center for African Area Studies, Kyoto University

雑誌

African study monographs. Supplementary issue. (ISSN:02869667)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.29, pp.1-18, 2005-03

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This is the introductory paper to "Environment, Livelihoods, and Local Praxis in Asia and Africa" and it focuses on the approaches to Area Studies currently used at Kyoto University, Japan, and Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, with special reference to their historical background and progress. A formal program in Asian and African Area Studies was established at Kyoto University in the Graduate School of Asian and African Area Studies (ASAFAS) in 1998, and it has produced several Ph.D. graduates. The Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology (SOSA) at Addis Ababa University was established in 1962, and the MA program in Social Anthropology (SOAN) was launched in 1990. Whereas SOSA studies focus mainly on anthropological and sociological studies within Ethiopia, ASAFAS covers Asian and African countries. The background to these two institutions, their establishment and accomplishments, and the thematic focus and geographic coverage are overviewed. Finally, the organization of this volume and the contents of each paper are summarized.

著者

SATO Hiroaki

出版者

The Center for African Area Studies, Kyoto University

雑誌

African study monographs. Supplementary issue. (ISSN:02869667)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.25, pp.33-46, 1998-03

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This paper addresses the structure of traditional medical belief and knowledge with special reference to etiology among the Baka hunter-gatherers living in the tropical rainforest from northwestern Congo to southeastern Cameroon. A group of the Baka in northwestern Congo has 89 folk illness terms. The illnesses are classified into three groups by the type of cause. The first group consists of 8 illnesses which develop exclusively due to specific causes such as contacts with various pathogenic substances, violation or sorcery. The second group consists of 55 illnesses which develop spontaneously or due to specific causes. The third group consists of 26 illnesses which develop purely spontaneously. In the Baka folk etiology, the naturalistic notion that some natural entities are responsible for the occurrence of illnesses is more predominant than the personalistic notion that some agents, such as sorcerers, evil spirits, and ghosts, cause illnesses. Among various pathogenic substances, animals are major pathogens. Forest animals, whose bodily shapes or behavior look strange or unusual to human beings, seem to provide good materials to the Baka who wish to explain and understand what causes illnesses, an abnormal state in body and mind, without warning. The Baka people think that almost all of their folk illnesses may develop spontaneously too. Their search for pathogenic substances of their illnesses seems neither for the purpose of removing it nor cutting off contacts with it, but for the purpose of seeking specific remedies.

著者

ITAGAKI Jumpei

出版者

The Research Committee for African Area Studies, Kyoto University

雑誌

African study monographs. Supplementary issue. (ISSN:02869667)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.46, pp.27-52, 2013-03

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In the northern area of Amhara, weavers produce a garment worn by many, made from a pure white, transparent woven material. Many weavers across Africa, including those in northern Ethiopia, are men. They are both full-time and migrant, the latter coming from the countryside during the slack farming season. Moreover, in Bahir Dar, the capital of Amhara, many prisoners weave the textile, in conformance with the division of labor system to receive an income during the terms of their sentences. Therefore, textile weaving in this area is not limited to skilled craftsmen (full-time weavers); even the unskilled such as prisoners and migrants have the opportunity to weave. However, Amhara's textile weaving industry is male-dominated; women are only involved in spinning the cotton thread in preparation for the weaving. This paper focuses on the weaving techniques and features of Amhara's textiles. Additionally, it investigates whether women's involvement in textile weaving can be expanded.