essay

The creative individual in the world of the !Kung San

creativity/anthropologyIthaca • Published In 1993 • Pages: 54-69

By: Shostak, Marjorie.

Abstract
In this paper, Shostak explores !Kung creativity and the problematic role of !Kung artists in their highly egalitarian society. Although !Kung musicians, healers, bead-weavers, and storytellers are constantly contributing to and refreshing !Kung culture, they are careful not to stand out and put themselves above others. Instead they downplay their accomplishments. Shostak interviews three different artists, a musician, healer, and bead-weaver and discuses how they manange. She concludes that because no change of status results from creative expression it is tolerated and indeed 'creativity flourishes in !Kung life' (page 68 ).
Subjects
Modification of behavior
Personality traits
Music
Visual arts
Shamans and psychotherapists
Revelation and divination
culture
San
HRAF PubDate
2005
Region
Africa
Sub Region
Southern Africa
Document Type
essay
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Ian Skoggard ; 2003
Field Date
1969-71, 1975
Coverage Date
1969-1975
Coverage Place
Dobe area, Botswana
Notes
Marjorie Shostak
Includes bibliographical references (p. 69)
LCCN
92052765
LCSH
San (African people)