The Theory and Ethnography of African Social Formations: The Case of the Interlacustrine Kingdoms (Codesria Book Series)

This contribution to African social sciences presents an original theory of social formations with a new methodolgical approach, raising new perspectives on the classic issues of exploitation, class and social change in African societies. A distinguished academic sociologist and anthropologist, the author critically reviews the works of orthodox anthropologists, questioning the impact on African Studies of both development theory and classical ethnography. Within a context of redefining forms of political organizations, he uses research on the East African Lacustrian Kingdoms to analyse the articulation of the relationship between political and economic power. He rejects articulation theory and the concept of feudalism. Preface Introduction.1 The Ethnography and Social Formations of the Interlacustrine.13 Modes of Political Organization in the Interlacustrine Kingdoms.37 The Social and Economic Character of the Interlacustrine Kingdoms.65 The "Tributary" Mode in the Interlacustrine: Reflections on an Hypothesis.85 Rethinking Modes of Production in Africa.107 Colonial Heritage and the Crisis of African Social Formations: The Case of Buganda.131 Bibliography.151 Index 161