The Anthropology of Texts, Persons and Publics: Oral and Written Culture in Africa and Beyond (New Departures in Anthropology)

What can texts - both written and oral - tell us about the societies that produce them? How are texts constituted in different cultures, and how do they shape societies and individuals? How can we understand the people who compose them? Drawing on examples from Africa and other countries, this original study sets out to answer these questions, by exploring textuality from a variety of angles. Topics covered include the importance of genre, the ways in which oral genres transcend the here-and-now, and the complex relationship between texts and the material world. Barber considers the ways in which personhood is evoked, both in oral poetry and in written diaries and letters, discusses the audience's role in creating the meaning of texts, and shows textual creativity to be a universal human capacity expressed in myriad forms. Engaging and thought-provoking, this book will be welcomed by anyone interested in anthropology, literature and cultural studies. Cover 1 Half-title 3 Series-title 4 Title 5 Copyright 6 Contents 7 Preface and acknowledgements 9 One Anthropology and text 13 Encounter with texts 13 Anthropology’s take on texts 26 What is a “text”? 33 The approach of this book 41 Two Genre, society and history 44 WHAT THE CONCUBINE SAID 47 Approaches to genre 48 Genres and social structure: African epic 57 The co-existence of genres: the kingdom of Rwanda 70 Three The constitution of oral texts 79 Making words stick 79 Approaches to orality/literacy, performance and entextualisation 80 Entextualisation as freezing 84 Entextualisation and fluidity 86 Quotability 89 Obscurity 91 Division of textual labour and ownership of knowledge 98 Instantiation and repertoire 104 Local intellectuals 110 The nature of textual meaning 112 Four Text and personhood 115 Exchange and substitution 121 Name, memory and reputation 124 Dinka ox songs 125 Ila entrepreneurs 130 Yoruba big men 138 Conclusion 146 Five Audiences and publics 149 Histories of sociality 149 Oral face-to-face audiences 157 An early book 162 A modernmedia genre 173 Transparency and public knowledge 180 Media and globalisation 183 Six The private 187 The proliferation of personal writing 187 Writing and the self 188 The private as obverse of the public 191 African contexts of personal writing 197 Prototypes of personal writing 202 Boakye Yiadom: the archive, the memorial and the shifting self 203 Conclusion 210 Reflexivity 217 Text-creation in everyday life 219 Materiality, assemblage, amplification 224 Textual fields 230 Seven Textual fields and popular creativity 212 Notes 238 1 Anthropology and text 238 2 Genre, society and history 240 3 The constitution of oral texts 241 4 Text and personhood 244 5 Audiences and publics 246 6 The private 250 7 Textual fields and popular creativity 251 Bibliography 253 Index 277 What Can Texts - Both Written And Oral - Tells Us About The Societies That Produce Them? How Are Texts Constituted In Different Cultures, And How Do They Shape Societies And Individuals? How Can We Understand The People Who Compose Them? Drawing On Examples From All Over The World, This Survey Sets Out To Answer These Questions, By Exploring Textuality From A Variety Of Angles. Topics Covered Include The Importance Of Genre, The Ways In Which Oral Genres Transcend The Here-and-now, And The Complex Relationship Between Texts And The Material World. The Book Considers The Ways In Which Personhood Is Evoked, Both In Oral Poetry And In Written Diaries And Letters, Discusses The Audience's Role In Creating The Meaning Of Texts, And Shows Textual Creativity To Be A Universal Human Capacity Expressed In Myriad Forms. This Book Will Be Welcomed By Anyone Interested In Anthropology, Literature And Cultural Studies.--book Jacket. 1. Anthropology And Text -- 2. Genre, Society And History -- 3. The Constitution Of Oral Texts -- 4. Text And Personhood -- 5. Audiences And Publics -- 6. The Private -- 7. Textual Fields And Popular Creativity. Karin Barber. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 241-264) And Index. "What can texts - both written and oral - tells us about the societies that produce them? How are texts constituted in different cultures, and how do they shape societies and individuals? How can we understand the people who compose them? Drawing on examples from all over the world, this survey sets out to answer these questions, by exploring textuality from a variety of angles. Topics covered include the importance of genre, the ways in which oral genres transcend the here-and-now, and the complex relationship between texts and the material world. The book considers the ways in which personhood is evoked, both in oral poetry and in written diaries and letters, discusses the audience's role in creating the meaning of texts, and shows textual creativity to be a universal human capacity expressed in myriad forms. This book will be welcomed by anyone interested in anthropology, literature and cultural studies."-- Jaquette

Thought-provoking study of the relationship between verbal and oral texts and their role in society.