article
The negotiation of Songhay space: phenomenology in the heart of darkness
American ethnologist • 7 (3) • Published In 1980 • Pages: 419-431
By: Stoller, Paul.
Abstract
This article is a study of the political use of space in Songhai society. It is also a commentary on how settlement patterns can be misinterpreted by Western scholars who see them as static reifications of existing social and political order. The author examines the distribution over time of family compounds and holdings of nobles, former slaves, merchants and foreigners in the town of Mehanna. Recognizing who holds the real power, merchants whose wealth and influence have eclipsed that of the traditional noble class do not compete for space alongside them in the center of town, but are content to occupy marginal areas, to which their clients also gravitate.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2016
- Region
- Africa
- Sub Region
- Western Africa
- Document Type
- article
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Ethnologist
- Document Rating
- 4: Excellent Secondary Data
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Ian Skoggard; 2016
- Field Date
- 1976-1977
- Coverage Date
- 1898-1977
- Coverage Place
- Mehanna, Tera department, Tillabéri, Niger
- Notes
- Paul Stoller
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 430-431)
- LCCN
- 74644326
- LCSH
- Songhai (African people)