Mambila traditional religion : Sua in SomiĂ©
This work is an analysis of Mambila religion based on fieldwork in SomiĂ© village, Cameroon. An ethnographic and historical introduction to the Mambila is followed by an account of their religious concepts. It is argued that, despite their adherence to Christianity (and to Islam), traditional practices continue to be of great importance in everyday life. In order to examine traditional practice descriptions are given of divination and oath-taking rites. Translated transcripts of the different forms of the sua-oath form the empirical core of the thesis. The transcripts illustrate the way that Mambila experience and understand the meaning of sua. Descriptions are also given of the sua masquerades. Finally I examine problems inherent in the analysis of non-literate societies lacking a reflective tradition, and in particular, societies lacking precise, structured religious concepts. This allows for discussion of resulting implications on the relationships between religion, politics and âsymbolic power.â
Zeitlyn, David
GN Anthropology
Mambila traditional religion : Sua in SomiĂ©. This work is an analysis of Mambila religion based on fieldwork in SomiĂ© village, Cameroon. An ethnographic and historical introduction to the Mambila is followed by an account of their religious concepts. It is argued that, despite their adherence to Christianity (and to Islam), traditional practices continue to be of great importance in everyday life. In order to examine traditional practice descriptions are given of divination and oath-taking rites. Translated transcripts of the different forms of the sua-oath form the empirical core of the thesis. The transcripts illustrate the way that Mambila experience and understand the meaning of sua. Descriptions are also given of the sua masquerades. Finally I examine problems inherent in the analysis of non-literate societies lacking a reflective tradition, and in particular, societies lacking precise, structured religious concepts. This allows for discussion of resulting implications on the relationships between religion, politics and âsymbolic power.â
traditional religion work analysis religion base fieldwork village cameroon ethnographic historical_introduction follow account religious concept argue_despite adherence christianity islam traditional practice continue great_importance everyday_life order_examine traditional practice description give divination taking rite translated transcript different_form form empirical core_thesis transcript illustrate way experience meaning descriptions also_give masquerade finally_examine problem_inherent analysis non literate society lack reflective tradition particular society lack precise structure religious concept allows discussion result implication relationship religion_politics symbolic power