Research Items

Abstract

Cultural Areas in Africa.—In Africa for January, Dr. Melville J. Herskovits applies to the ethnological problems of Africa the American method of ‘cultural areas’. He suggests nine cultural areas: (1) Hottentot: essentially a herding culture but differing from the Bantu, in that there is no agriculture, and the women have much to do with the herds. The cattle are given as gifts in marriage, but for the wedding feast, not as a dower. The language, with that of the Bushmen, is differentiated by the ‘click’. (2) The Bushman: with poor material culture, but high artistic and literary (folklore) ability. The dog is the only domesticated animal, and hunting is brought to a high degree of skill. (3) The East African cattle area: cattle determine a man's position and prestige, and are utilised in all the important ceremonials of life; but they do not furnish food, excepting milk, or when eaten as a ceremonial offering or after they have died. Food is obtained from the produce of the fields, and is the work of the women, to whom the care of the cattle is forbidden. Polygamy prevails, being based on the number of cattle a man commands. (4) The Congo: predominantly agricultural. The people live in rectangular houses, make bark cloth, use masks, practice cicatrisation, and carve human representations. The secret society is important. (5) The East Horn: not sharply differentiated, but shades off from East Africa. The camel and horse slowly take the place of cattle—a marginal area. (6) The eastern Sudan: a nomadic culture organised around live stock. Living in a hard desert area, their first care is the feeding and watering of their animals. The religion is Mahommedanism and the social order is strongly paternal. Clothing is of cloth and the people live in tents. (7) The western Sudan: a marginal area, in which great kingdoms—Benin, Bornu, Haussa have risen. The economic life is basically herding, agriculture, and trade. (8) Desert: a nomadic area dependent upon trade, camel and horse breeding. (9) Egypt: an area distinct from the rest of Africa, of which the influence on other African culture must have been profound.