Power and Age
Spencer (1965, 1988, 1993, 2003) theorizes two distinct strands in the life course of a Maasai male. The first strand is the building of a cattle herd and a family, and the second is developing involvement in the age class system. The second strand is overemphasized in Spencer’s analysis of Maasai...
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| Language: | English |
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Nordic Africa Research Network
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Nordic Journal of African Studies |
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| Online Access: | http://njas.fi/njas/article/view/1146 |
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| _version_ | 1846111893560754176 |
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| author | Sam Maghimbi |
| author_facet | Sam Maghimbi |
| author_sort | Sam Maghimbi |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Spencer (1965, 1988, 1993, 2003) theorizes two distinct strands in the life course of a Maasai male. The first strand is the building of a cattle herd and a family, and the second is developing involvement in the age class system. The second strand is overemphasized in Spencer’s analysis of Maasai society. The age class system attracts nearly euphoric attention from Spencer and other authors on the Maasai. This stance has led to a point where the materiality of Maasai life (cattle) is discussed but is hidden behind a discussion of the age system. This article argues that more weight should be given to the first strand of Maasai life mentioned by Spencer. Maasai society may still be largely organized along gerontocratic lines, but nevertheless the power of Maasai men is derived from the cattle herd and from their control of their families.
This research report has been reviewed by the editors of the special issue but has not been externally peer-reviewed.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-45202ec4b5df4d36aa4a9e80c1bf9ac6 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1459-9465 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Nordic Africa Research Network |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nordic Journal of African Studies |
| spelling | doaj-art-45202ec4b5df4d36aa4a9e80c1bf9ac62024-12-22T16:10:12ZengNordic Africa Research NetworkNordic Journal of African Studies1459-94652024-12-0133410.53228/njas.v33i4.1146Power and Age Sam Maghimbi0University of Dar Es Salaam Spencer (1965, 1988, 1993, 2003) theorizes two distinct strands in the life course of a Maasai male. The first strand is the building of a cattle herd and a family, and the second is developing involvement in the age class system. The second strand is overemphasized in Spencer’s analysis of Maasai society. The age class system attracts nearly euphoric attention from Spencer and other authors on the Maasai. This stance has led to a point where the materiality of Maasai life (cattle) is discussed but is hidden behind a discussion of the age system. This article argues that more weight should be given to the first strand of Maasai life mentioned by Spencer. Maasai society may still be largely organized along gerontocratic lines, but nevertheless the power of Maasai men is derived from the cattle herd and from their control of their families. This research report has been reviewed by the editors of the special issue but has not been externally peer-reviewed. http://njas.fi/njas/article/view/1146familycattle herdinheritancereproductioncattle rich |
| spellingShingle | Sam Maghimbi Power and Age Nordic Journal of African Studies family cattle herd inheritance reproduction cattle rich |
| title | Power and Age |
| title_full | Power and Age |
| title_fullStr | Power and Age |
| title_full_unstemmed | Power and Age |
| title_short | Power and Age |
| title_sort | power and age |
| topic | family cattle herd inheritance reproduction cattle rich |
| url | http://njas.fi/njas/article/view/1146 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT sammaghimbi powerandage |