article

Ashanti Survey, 1945-46: an experiment in social research

Geographical journal110 • Published In 1947 • Pages: 149-179 , 6 plates

By: Fortes, Meyer, Steel, R. W., Ady, P..

Abstract
This survey of geographical, anthropological and economic aspects of life in Ashanti during the 1940s was undertaken as an experiment in method by Mr. Fortes, an anthropologist, Mr. Steel, a geographer, and Miss Ady, an economist, in 1945-46. The bulk of the work of the Survey was centered in south Ashanti; specifically, the towns of Agogo and Asokore, near Kumasi. The aim of the survey, according to Fortes ‘…was strictly limited. It was to get a broad, general picture of the social and political structure of Ashanti today, and to investigate…those aspects in which ecological and economic factors play the biggest part.’ Although this article is concerned mainly with methods employed by the Survey to obtain data, fairly detailed information is provided on land use, demography, kinship structure, and household organization.
Subjects
Population
Composition of population
Land use
Household
Kinship
culture
Akan
HRAF PubDate
2000
Region
Africa
Sub Region
Western Africa
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Types
Ethnologist
Geographer
Economist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Mary L. Bartlett ; 1956, 1959
Field Date
1945-1946
Coverage Date
1940s
Coverage Place
South Ashanti; specifically, the towns of Agogo and Asokore, near Kumasi; Ghana
Notes
by M. Fortes, R. W. Steel and P. Ady
LCSH
Akan (African peoples)