article

The rhetorical management of dangerous knowledge in Kpelle brokerage

American ethnologist • 8 (4) • Published In 1981 • Pages: 667-685

By: Murphy, William P..

Abstract
The author of this source argues that 'Kpelle brokers draw upon the key cultural idea of danger inherent in privileged knowledge to contrive a broker role and to construe its indispensability and threatening power in local politics'. In this way, the 'secrets' conveyed by a traditional institution, the Poro and Sande societies, are seen to have analogues in how country Kpelle consider and respect the 'civilized' (kwi) knowledge possessed by 'modernized' persons. The traditional zo, or person in control of religious knowledge, thus also has an analogue in the modern-day political broker.
culture
Kpelle
HRAF PubDate
2019
Region
Africa
Sub Region
Western Africa
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
M. A. Marcus ; 1986
Field Date
1973-1974
Notes
William P. Murphy
LCCN
74644326
LCSH
Kpelle (African people)