The Kanuri of Bornu

Cohen, Ronald

Book

The Kanuri of Bornu

Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc. • New York • Published In 1967 • Pages: x, 115

By: Cohen, Ronald.

Abstract
In this monograph Cohen focuses upon the several selected aspects of Kanuri society which reveal a distinctive and patterned set of social relationships underlying and integrating the prime institutional areas of Kanuri life. The Kanuri household is shown as the basic social structure in which the pattern of superior/subordinate relationships is established. Cohen's analysis of the economic, as well as the Kanuri political structure, emphasizes the interrelation of these areas with the household. The interpersonal relationships characterizing family life and the household also permeate these other areas. The study is enhanced by the frequent description of individual cases. Separate chapters are devoted to the family and the household, the life cycle, economic life, and the political organization. Cohen's limitation of the study to these few areas is discussed in the concluding section. Important areas which are omitted, or merely mentioned in passing, include: religion and Islamic ceremonial life, the belief system of the Kanuri and modal personality traits. Cohen, an American anthropologist, conducted field work in Bornu for twenty-six months. He used participant observation, interviewing, questionnaires, and historical archives. Cohen spoke the Kanuri language and was aided in the field work by his wife and by trained Kanuri assistants. The first chapter contains a brief but useful description of his field experience and his own orientation in ethnographic theory. One chapter is devoted to the many centuries of Bornu history and provides the background for cultural traits which persist to the present day. The persistence of some traditional modes despite modern trends and political change is discussed.

History

Retail marketing

Occupational specialization

Adolescence, adulthood, and old age

Kanuri

HRAF PubDate

1998

Region