Book

The shaping of Somali society: reconstructing the history of a pastoral people, 1600-1900

University of Pennsylvania PressPhiladelphia • Published In 1982 • Pages: xvi, 311

By: Cassanelli, Lee V..

Abstract
This is a reconstructive and interpretive analysis of Somali history during the three centuries preceding 1900 -- the pre-colonial period. Throughout this work Cassanelli discusses social and political change, at least partly in terms of the resources that are available within the region which can be drawn upon by different corporate groups (p. 5). The study begins with a description of the basic features of Somali society as they appeared at the start of the twentieth century, with particualr reference to regional variation in culture, mode of production, and socio-political organization. Somali historiography is then reviewed as it developed in the twentieth century with a discussion of the issues that have molded our understanding of the Somali past. This information sets the stage for the remainder of the document which examines several of the processes that helped shape Somali society (e.g., pastoral power, Islamic themes in history, commerce and economy, response to colonial occupation, etc.).
Subjects
Traditional history
Pastoral activities
External trade
Clans
External relations
Prophets and ascetics
Religious denominations
culture
Somali
HRAF PubDate
1997
Region
Africa
Sub Region
Eastern Africa
Document Type
Book
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Ron Johnson, John Beierle ; 1996
Field Date
Dec. 1970-Nov. 1971; Sept.-Dec. 1977
Coverage Date
ca. 1600-1900
Coverage Place
Somalia
Notes
Lee V. Cassanelli
Includes bibliographical references (p. 287-299) and index
LCCN
81043520
LCSH
Somalis