Re-Representing African Pasts through Historical Archaeology

2007 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter R. Schmidt ◽  
Jonathan R. Walz
Keyword(s):  
Historical Archaeology ◽  
Oral Traditions ◽  
Archaeological Remains ◽  
Historical Representation ◽  
Swahili Coast ◽  
Historical Significance ◽  
Great Zimbabwe ◽  
Vital Interest ◽  
Oral Form ◽  
The Impact

Historical archaeology in Africa has long privileged issues framed in terms of European sources and the impact of imperialism and colonialism on African peoples. With its emphasis on modernity, historical archaeology of this persuasion overlooks historical archaeologies concerned with revising metanarratives that misrepresent African pasts. We argue that historical archaeologists need to listen to local histories, often held in oral form, and that the appropriate task of historical archaeology is making histories that include, not exclude, local historicities. A critical historical archaeology in Africa is illustrated by cases in which oral traditions play a central role in unveiling the historical significance of archaeological remains as well as circumstances in which careful readings of archaeology and local histories subvert standard histories based on outsiders' interpretations and observations. We draw case studies from the Swahili Coast, Great Zimbabwe, the Kalahari, and the Cwezi period of the Great Lakes. Our approach accepts that if archaeologists employ materiality—regardless of its chronological age—to transform historical representation, then such historical revision creates a more comprehensive practice for historical archaeology, a matter of vital interest for both history and anthropology.

The Experience of Poetry

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek Attridge
Keyword(s):  
Late Antiquity ◽  
Cultural Practice ◽  
Oral Traditions ◽  
English Renaissance ◽  
Ancient Rome ◽  
Ancient Greek ◽  
Continuity And Change ◽  
Private And Public ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Impact

The question this book addresses is whether, in addition to its other roles, poetry—or a cultural practice we now call poetry—has, across the two-and-a-half millennia from the composition of the Homeric epics to the publication of Ben Jonson’s Works and the death of Shakespeare in 1616, continuously afforded the pleasurable experience we identify with the crafting of language into memorable and moving rhythmic forms. Parts I and II examine the evidence for the performance of the Iliad and the Odyssey and of Ancient Greek lyric poetry, the impact of the invention of writing on Alexandrian verse, the performances of poetry that characterized Ancient Rome, and the private and public venues for poetic experience in Late Antiquity. Part III deals with medieval verse, exploring the oral traditions that spread across Europe in the vernacular languages, the importance of manuscript transmission, the shift from roll to codex and from papyrus to parchment, and the changing audiences for poetry. Part IV explores the achievements of the English Renaissance, from the manuscript verse of Henry VIII’s court to the anthologies and collections of the late Elizabethan period. Among the topics considered in this part are the advent of print, the experience of the solitary reader, the continuing significance of manuscript circulation, the presence of poet figures in pageants and progresses, and the appearance of poets on the Elizabethan stage. Tracking both continuity and change, the book offers a history of what, over these twenty-five centuries, it has meant to enjoy a poem.

scholarly journals Ragam Hias Ular-Naga di Tempat Sakral Periode Jawa Timur*

AMERTA ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 89
Author(s):  
Hariani Santiko
Keyword(s):  
Historical Archaeology ◽  
Physical Characteristic ◽  
Archaeological Remains ◽  
Sacred Places ◽  
Central Java ◽  
Textual Data ◽  
Holy Water

Abstract. Naga-Snake Ornaments at Sacred Places in East Java Period. Among those archaeological remains from Hindu-Buddhist in East Java period, dated from 8th to 16th centuries, was nagasnakeornament (snake with physical characteristic of a dragon) whether it stands alone or with a garuḍa figure. This ornament was found in temples, sacred bathing sites, and meditation caves. This ornament has not been found in earlier Hindu-Buddhist period in Central Java (early 6th to early 10th centuries). In order to understand the ideas behind this ornament selection, a historical-archaeology method was used based on artefactual and textual data, such as old manuscripts or inscriptions. East-Javanese śilpins used garuḍa and naga snake ornaments to manifest the story of Samudramanthana (Amŗtamanthana) and the story of Garudeya. Both stories tell the churning of the Ksirārnawa by the śura and aśura to get the amŗta (the holy water). This ornament can be found at Jalatunda bathingsite, Kidal temple, and Jabung temple. The preference to use Samudramanthana and Garudeya stories was related with the mythology of the mountain in Hinduism, which is believed as a “ladder” to Gods’ place. A temple is a miniature of Mahameru, the location of amŗta, guarded by the dragon-snake. Abstrak. Tinggalan Arkeologi dari masa Hindu-Buddha di Jawa Timur (abad ke-10-16), di antaranya berupa ragam hias ular-naga (ular dengan ciri-ciri fisik naga) yang digambarkan sendiri, maupun bersama tokoh garuḍa. Ragam hias ular-naga ini ditemukan di kompleks percandian, pemandian suci (patirthan), dan di gua-gua pertapaan. Menarik perhatian adalah, ragam hias jenis ini tidak ditemukan pada kepurbakalaan masa sebelumnya, yaitu masa Hindu-Buddha di Jawa Tengah (abad ke-6 sampai awal abad ke-10). Untuk mengetahui gagasan yang melatari dipilihnya artefak tersebut,akan diterapkan metode arkeologi-sejarah, yaitu metode yang menggunakan data artefaktual dan data tekstual, berupa naskah-naskah atau prasasti. Kemunculan garuḍa bersama ular-naga ini, dikemukakan bahwa para seniman Jawa Kuno menggunakan cerita Samudramanthana (Amŗtamanthana) dan cerita Garuḍeya. Kedua cerita tersebut menceritakan pengambilan dan perebutan air suci amŗta (air suci, air penghidupan) antara dewa (śura) dan aśura. Ragam hias ular-naga terdapat pada Pemandian Jalatunda, Candi Kidal dan Candi Jabung, Candi Panataran, Candi Kedaton dan sebagainya. Dipilihnya cerita Samudramanthana dan Garuḍeya terkait dengan mitologi gunung dalam agama Hindu, yangmerupakan “tangga naik” ke tempat dewa-dewa di puncaknya. Candi adalah bentuk miniatur dari Mahameru tersebut, tempat amŗta yang dijaga oleh ular-naga.

scholarly journals Las jarritas de Santa Mariña de Augas Santas (Allariz), una aproximación a su morfología = The jars of Santa Mariña de Augas Santas (Allariz), an approach towards their morphology

2020 ◽  
pp. 177
Author(s):  
Francisco Alonso Toucido ◽  
María Pilar Prieto Martínez ◽  
Anxo Rodríguez Paz
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Reference Group ◽  
Oral Traditions ◽  
Archaeological Remains ◽  
Siglo Xx

<p>Las jarras de Santa Mariña de Augas Santas son un conjunto de referencia excepcional debido a su número, tipología y contexto. Más de un ciento de jarritas medievales fueron localizadas a mediados del siglo XX en óptimo estado de conservación en el caño de desagüe de una sauna castreña, que hoy en día conforma la cripta de una basílica medieval inconclusa. La zona guarda una gran riqueza patrimonial tantoen materiales arqueológicos como a nivel de tradición oral. Las jarritas sobrepasan la centena contándose con varios tipos morfológicos y un gran número de las mismas se encuentran decoradas. Se presentan los resultados morfológicos del estudio realizado sobre las mismas y se comparan los mismos con otros contextos arqueológicos galaicos</p><p>The jars of Santa Mariña de Augas Santas form an exceptional reference group due to their number, type, and context. A total of 128 mediaeval jars were found in<br />the middle of the twentieth century in an excellent state of preservation in the drainage spout of a hill fort sauna, which today forms part of the crypt of an unfinished mediaeval<br />basilica. The area contains a wealth of heritage both in terms of archaeological remains and oral traditions. The 122 jars that are still preserved belong to several morphological<br />types, and a large number of them are decorated. We present the morphological results of the study carried out on them, and they are compared with other Galician archaeological contexts.</p>

People at the Gates

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flordeliz T. Bugarin
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Nineteenth Century ◽  
Economic Resources ◽  
Oral Traditions ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Early Nineteenth Century ◽  
Archaeological Evidence ◽  
Traded Goods ◽  
Economic Interaction ◽  
The Impact

During the early nineteenth century in South Africa, the British built Fort Willshire on the banks of the Keiskamma River. At its gates, they established the first official trade fairs and mandated that trade throughout the Eastern Cape be confined here. This area became a vortex in which a variety of people convened, traded goods, and influenced cultural and economic interaction. This chapter introduces the various Africans who gravitated to the region, claimed the surrounding lands throughout the river valley, and vied for economic resources and political power. By looking at the archival records, oral traditions, and archaeological evidence, research demonstrates that the region consisted of a variety of people with different backgrounds and affiliations. Furthermore, this area provides a model for understanding the impact of the British on the Xhosa, yet it is just as much a window to the interactions between various Xhosa factions and chiefdoms.

Valuing the History, Missions and Traditions of HBCUs

2016 ◽  
pp. 1-24
Author(s):  
Derrick M. Bryan ◽  
Felicia Stewart
Keyword(s):  
Historically Black ◽  
Black Colleges ◽  
Cultural Norms ◽  
Historically Black Colleges ◽  
Historical Significance ◽  
Howard University ◽  
Morehouse College ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Ethnographic Narratives ◽  
Black Colleges And Universities

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) serve the educational needs of students of African descent while providing an atmosphere of nurture and guidance enriched in cultural norms. In considering how HBCUs can remain competitive, this chapter recommends that one of the first steps is to return to the basics, reviewing the historical significance, missions and traditions of HBCUs. In doing so, this work investigates the role HBCUs play in student identity and character development by looking at the history, mission and traditions of Morehouse College and Howard University. The authors, who both are alumni of these institutions, respectively, will examine relevant documents and statements from the schools as well as provide auto-ethnographic narratives explicating the impact those institutions had on their academic, social and professional successes.

“Moon-Struck Lunatics”

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-32
Author(s):  
Derek M Leininger
Keyword(s):  
The United States ◽  
Spanish American ◽  
Letters To The Editor ◽  
Public Rhetoric ◽  
Congressional Debates ◽  
Historical Significance ◽  
American Nationalism ◽  
The World ◽  
Global Events ◽  
The Impact

Historians have noted the wave of cultural and civil nationalism that swept the United States following the War of 1812. “Moon Struck Lunatics” positions American nationalism in the Era of Good Feelings within the broader context of global events. The article probes the impact of the Spanish-American Revolutions on early Americans’ consciousness as a nation. The revolutions contextualized for Americans the world historical significance of their own revolution and aided the articulation of an early manifest destiny ideology. This essay focuses on public rhetoric, including speeches, congressional debates, editorials, geographies, songs, poems, toasts, letters to the editor, and travel accounts.

Ritual Warfare and the Colonial Conquest of the Eggon

1984 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 83-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
David C. Dorward
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Aspects ◽  
Oral Traditions ◽  
African Studies ◽  
Economic Factors ◽  
Primary Resistance ◽  
Indigenous Institutions ◽  
Colonial Experience ◽  
The Status ◽  
The Impact

A great deal has been written about the colonial conquest of Africa, from the perspectives of both the conquerors and the conquered. Primary resistance has come and gone as an ‘in’ topic in African Studies. Yet to the extent that such literature deals with the colonial conquest, it has been within a structural-functional framework, focusing on social, political, and economic factors. Possible cultural and psychological aspects have been relegated to the occasional vague comment. More often, these latter elements have tended to be assumed, rather than demonstrated, and then generally in the hindsight of nationalist manipulation of oral traditions in the process of decolonization. Only through the elucidation of meaning to participants of events can we transform them from the status of ‘objects of study’ to ‘subjects in action.’This paper examines the impact of colonial conquest of the Eggon of central Nigeria in terms of a reconstruction of indigenous institutions of warfare, in particular, Eggon concepts of ritual warfare and its functions. What met in the Mada Hills were not merely two disproportionately armed fighting forces, but two different military ideologies (for want of a more apt phrase), representing two quite different perceived, experienced, and constructed realities. The impact of that confrontation was such that it has been transformed into a prototype myth encompassing the colonial experience of all Eggon, not just those directly involved in the Wulko hills campaign.

Historical Change in an Ibo Polity: Asaba to 1885

1969 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 421-438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Isichei
Keyword(s):  
Seventeenth Century ◽  
Economic Life ◽  
Historical Change ◽  
Oral Traditions ◽  
Main Theme ◽  
Way Of Life ◽  
Political Structure ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Town

Asaba is an Ibo town, which, because of its position on the Niger, came into relatively early contact with Europeans. This means that we have materials for its history in European records for more than a hundred years. This article is based on these records, and on present-day oral traditions. It begins with an account of Asaba's traditional social and political structure, and its former role in the economic life of the lower Niger.Asaba traditions relate in detail how the town was founded by a man from Nteje, east of the Niger, called Nnebisi. There is less information about its subsequent history, though it seems that it went through a significant changefrom the rule of a single Eze to a system of personal titles, like that found in eastern Iboland. Some attempts have been made to make a king list for Asaba, but it does not seem possible to establish either this or any other useful chronological framework other than that provided by family genealogies. These suggest that Nnebisi lived in the seventeenth century. The main theme in Asaba's external history is her changing relationship with her powerful neighbour, Benin.The choice of Onitsha, rather than Asaba, as a missionary and trading centre, meant that Asaba went through a period of relative eclipse. The first C.M.S. missionaries came to the town in 1875, but they had little impact on Asaba life. In the middle eighties, Asaba became the administrative capital of the newlyestablished Royal Niger Company. The impact of the Company on Asaba, though great, was short-lived. But one result of its choice of Asaba as a capital was the renewal of missionary endeavour, both Catholic and Protestant, in the town. This in its turn was to have a very great impact on Asaba's way of life.

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