The Unit of Study and the Interpretation of Ethnicity

Alternatives to using the tribe as a unit of study are discussed with reference to field research among the Nkoya of western Zambia. To leave the tribal model for a more analytical level, without neglecting the Ss' own units of organizing their experience, it is suggested that this experience b...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of southern African studies 1981-10, Vol.8 (1), p.51-81
Main Author: van Binsbergen, Wim M. J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Study/Studies
Tribe/Tribes/Tribal (see also Society, The, of)
Unit/Units
Zambia/Zambian/Zambians
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Summary:Alternatives to using the tribe as a unit of study are discussed with reference to field research among the Nkoya of western Zambia. To leave the tribal model for a more analytical level, without neglecting the Ss' own units of organizing their experience, it is suggested that this experience be interpreted as a form of consciousness within a political context, & as an articulation between capitalist & noncapitalist means of production. The alternative to the tribe as a unit of study is not another unit such as a mode of production, a social formation, or a time or space unit, but "a growing awareness of possible problems & interrelations, informed by insights from history & political economy." Modified Author Summary.
ISSN:0305-7070
DOI:10.1080/03057078108708034