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The Resource Cattle, capitalism and class: Ilparakuyo Maasai transformations

Cattle, capitalism and class: Ilparakuyo Maasai transformations

Creator
Summary
Focusing on the Ilparakuyo Maasai of Kenya and Tanzania, Peter Rigby discusses why third world development policies with regard to pastoral societies are inappropriate and likely to fail. A political economy of development, maintains Rigby, must incorporate historical, cultural, linguistic, and even aesthetic dimensions of the peoples involved. Using ethnography and other research materials, the author illuminates the culture and explores the prospects of a distinct section of pastoral Maasai (the Ilparakuyo). In addition, he attempts to develop a historical materialist theory of language in relation to a specific East African culture. While rural development is a priority in many recently independent third world countries, it is often not designed for the benefit of the producer, as when food products are exported rather than used for domestic consumption. Although much information is available about pastoral societies - herd size, grazing areas, livestock holdings between families - the cultures, languages, and aspirations of such societies are often overlooked by development planners. Rigby describes how government expectations should be based on such social conditions. Adopting an African perspective derived from a dialogue with African philosophical discourse, Rigby analyzes the language customs of the people he lived with to chronicle the changes forced upon the Maasai by both colonial and post-colonial governments. The book features more than a dozen photos that portray a juxtaposition of tradition and modern development in local communities. The Maasai have been victims of land expropriation, unnatural division by international boundaries, forcible interference with their customs and rituals, and marginalization by developing governments. Despite this incessant onslaught and the formation of classes in a hitherto classless society, the Maasai have managed to a great degree to preserve their culture and way of thinking. Rigby urges a revolution in planning priorities that respects the Maasai way of life
Language
eng
Work
Publication
Extent
xviii, 247 pages
Contents
  • The "last of the Maasai" : self-fulfilling prophecy or frustrated death wish?
  • Class formation in historical perspective
  • Ideology, religion, and capitalist penetration
  • Pastoralism, egalitarianism, and the state
  • Some Ilparakuyo views of peripheral capitalism
  • The dynamics of comtemporary class formation
  • Ilparakuyo Maasi transformations : African episteme and Marxian problematic
Isbn
9781566392044
Instance
Label
Cattle, capitalism and class: Ilparakuyo Maasai transformations
Title
Cattle, capitalism and class: Ilparakuyo Maasai transformations
Creator
Subject
Language
eng
Summary
Focusing on the Ilparakuyo Maasai of Kenya and Tanzania, Peter Rigby discusses why third world development policies with regard to pastoral societies are inappropriate and likely to fail. A political economy of development, maintains Rigby, must incorporate historical, cultural, linguistic, and even aesthetic dimensions of the peoples involved. Using ethnography and other research materials, the author illuminates the culture and explores the prospects of a distinct section of pastoral Maasai (the Ilparakuyo). In addition, he attempts to develop a historical materialist theory of language in relation to a specific East African culture. While rural development is a priority in many recently independent third world countries, it is often not designed for the benefit of the producer, as when food products are exported rather than used for domestic consumption. Although much information is available about pastoral societies - herd size, grazing areas, livestock holdings between families - the cultures, languages, and aspirations of such societies are often overlooked by development planners. Rigby describes how government expectations should be based on such social conditions. Adopting an African perspective derived from a dialogue with African philosophical discourse, Rigby analyzes the language customs of the people he lived with to chronicle the changes forced upon the Maasai by both colonial and post-colonial governments. The book features more than a dozen photos that portray a juxtaposition of tradition and modern development in local communities. The Maasai have been victims of land expropriation, unnatural division by international boundaries, forcible interference with their customs and rituals, and marginalization by developing governments. Despite this incessant onslaught and the formation of classes in a hitherto classless society, the Maasai have managed to a great degree to preserve their culture and way of thinking. Rigby urges a revolution in planning priorities that respects the Maasai way of life
Cataloging source
UkLiU
http://library.link/vocab/creatorDate
1938-
http://library.link/vocab/creatorName
Rigby, Peter
Index
no index present
Literary form
non fiction
http://library.link/vocab/subjectName
Masai (African people)
Label
Cattle, capitalism and class: Ilparakuyo Maasai transformations
Instantiates
Publication
Bibliography note
Includes bibliographical references (pages 215-233) and index
Carrier category
volume
Carrier category code
  • nc
Carrier MARC source
rdacarrier
Content category
text
Content type code
  • txt
Content type MARC source
rdacontent
Contents
The "last of the Maasai" : self-fulfilling prophecy or frustrated death wish? -- Class formation in historical perspective -- Ideology, religion, and capitalist penetration -- Pastoralism, egalitarianism, and the state -- Some Ilparakuyo views of peripheral capitalism -- The dynamics of comtemporary class formation -- Ilparakuyo Maasi transformations : African episteme and Marxian problematic
Dimensions
24 cm
Extent
xviii, 247 pages
Isbn
9781566392044
Media category
unmediated
Media MARC source
rdamedia
Media type code
  • n
Other physical details
illustrations, maps
Label
Cattle, capitalism and class: Ilparakuyo Maasai transformations
Publication
Bibliography note
Includes bibliographical references (pages 215-233) and index
Carrier category
volume
Carrier category code
  • nc
Carrier MARC source
rdacarrier
Content category
text
Content type code
  • txt
Content type MARC source
rdacontent
Contents
The "last of the Maasai" : self-fulfilling prophecy or frustrated death wish? -- Class formation in historical perspective -- Ideology, religion, and capitalist penetration -- Pastoralism, egalitarianism, and the state -- Some Ilparakuyo views of peripheral capitalism -- The dynamics of comtemporary class formation -- Ilparakuyo Maasi transformations : African episteme and Marxian problematic
Dimensions
24 cm
Extent
xviii, 247 pages
Isbn
9781566392044
Media category
unmediated
Media MARC source
rdamedia
Media type code
  • n
Other physical details
illustrations, maps

Subject

Library Locations

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      53.403069 -2.963723

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