essay
Social stratification in Bornu
social stratification in africa • New York • Published In 1970 • Pages: 225-267
By: Cohen, Ronald.
Abstract
In this article, Cohen examines the multiple factors, such as ethnicity, occupation, lineage, gender, class, and material wealth, which influence Kanuri status distinctions. Traditionally, Kanuri society was divided between a noble class, who resided in the capital where they served in the central bureaucracy, and a commoner class of farmers, craftsmen and merchants, who catered to the needs of the upper class. In rural areas high status was based on wealth, household size and social proximity to powerful leaders. Nobility and commoners alike had slaves. Ethnic groups were ranked into three categories: fellow Moslims who shared the same status as the Kanuri, eg., Arabs, Hausa and Shuwa. A second category of non-Moslims who were internally ranked according to occupation. A low status group of tribal peoples included the Tuareg, Tiv and Cameroons. Cohen also discusses class differencs in custom and dress, social mobility, and the importance of a Western education.
- HRAF PubDate
- 1998
- Region
- Africa
- Sub Region
- Western Africa
- Document Type
- essay
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Ethnologist
- Document Rating
- 4: Excellent Secondary Data
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Ian Skoggard ; 1996
- Field Date
- 1955-57; summers 1964-66
- Coverage Date
- 1955 - 1966
- Coverage Place
- Borno State, Nigeria
- Notes
- By Ronald Cohen
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 267)
- LCCN
- 78091223
- LCSH
- Kanuri (African people)