A black Byzantium: the kingdom of Nupe in Nigeria

Nadel, S. F. (Siegfried Frederick); Lugard, Frederick John Dealtry, Baron

Book

A black Byzantium: the kingdom of Nupe in Nigeria

Pub. for the International Institute of African languages & cultures by the Oxford university press • • Published In 1942 • Pages:

By: Nadel, S. F. (Siegfried Frederick), Lugard, Frederick John Dealtry, Baron.

Abstract
This volume is one of the major sources on Nupe culture. It is focused on political and economic organization, revealing in particular the reciprocal relations between these and the religious and legal systems. The political organization is described in terms of the contemporary relations between the quasi-feudal state and the various ethnic groups and economic classes in the total community. Particular attention is paid to urban-rural relationships and differences. Political organization is also explained historically as the outcome of earlier tribal structures, the Fulani conquest, and new economic and political forces under British rule. In the discussion of economic organization, Nadel introduces records of actual time and labor involved in production, detailed descriptions of selling methods, and the amount of profit and how it is spent. An important chapter discusses the interrelationships of standards of living, cultural requirements, wealth, status and prestige. While this is a very complete monograph insofar as sociopolitical and economic organization are concerned, data on human biology, material culture, language and warfare are largely absent. A discussion of religion was reserved for a later volume.

Status, role, and prestige

Smiths and their crafts