Book
Bemba myth and ritual: the impact of literacy on an oral culture
P. Lang • 2 • Published In 1983 • Pages: xxiii, 197
By: Maxwell, Kevin B. (Kevin Burns).
Abstract
Maxwell bases this study of the Bemba on the distinction between an oral-aural culture, one that pertains to the mouth and ear, and a visualist culture, which pertains to the eye. The Bemba are members of an oral society. Hearing is their primary cognitive sense and the physical properties of sound significantly affect their worldview. Maxwell focuses on the traditional religion of the Bemba and presents analyses of their charter myth, initiation rites, divinities, and traditional authorities in terms of their acoustic characteristics. He also discusses the Bemba conversion to Christianity and suggests that the survival of elements of their traditional oral religion has become dependent on their acculturation to a visualist culture and literacy.
- HRAF PubDate
- 1997
- Region
- Africa
- Sub Region
- Southern Africa
- Document Type
- Book
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Ethnologist
- Document Rating
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Ronald Johnson ; 1995
- Field Date
- 1978-79, 1981
- Coverage Date
- not specified
- Coverage Place
- northeastern Zambia
- Notes
- Kevin B. Maxwell
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 177-197)
- LCCN
- 83048769
- LCSH
- Bemba (African people)