PULAAKU IN ACTION: WORDS AT WORK IN WODAABE CLAN POLITICS

Authors

  • Nikolaus Schareika University of Goettingen

Keywords:

Wo?aa?e, Fulani, segmentary lineage, dispute and negotiation, verbal interaction, Niger

Abstract

Using microscopic analysis, this article explores how notions of morality, iden­tity, and social conduct were used in the negotiation of group relations among the pastoral Wo?aa?e of southeastern Niger. Two of their clans met in 2004 to discuss whether certain breaches of norms should lead to their fis­sion or whether they should stay united under a pact of disregard for state law and authority. The latter option would preserve a domain of inter-clan affairs beneath notice and, hence, interference of state authorities. Anal­ysis of a tran­script of actual conversation between the participants of the clan meeting shows how the use of verbalized norms and values was con­sti­tutive of the social situa­tion, the negotiation process, and its outcome. This episode of clan politics was related to the general political situation in Niger and the challenges it provided for Wo?aa?e pastoral life.

Downloads

Issue

Vol. 49 No. 3 (2010)

Section

Articles

License

Authors of papers accepted for publication in a future issue of ETHNOLOGY will be asked to enter into a Copyright Publication Agreement, the terms of which are:


1.    Author grants to Publisher and its agents the following rights, which rights may be sub-licensed by Publisher:

    a.    the exclusive right and license to publish, archive, and make accessible the Article in whole or in part, in all forms of media now or hereafter known, and in all languages throughout the world, for a term of three (3) years after Publisher first publishes the Article; and

    b.    the nonexclusive perpetual right and license to publish, archive, and make accessible the Article in whole or in part, in all forms of media now or hereafter known, and in all languages throughout the world.

2.    Publisher shall provide Author with an electronic file of the Article which may be reproduced and used by Author for non-commercial purposes for the three (3) year period following Publisher’s first publication of the Article, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that Author ensures that all such copies retain the reference to the original Journal publication. After said three (3) year period, Author’s use and distribution is no longer limited to non-commercial purposes.

3.    During the three (3) year period following Publisher’s first publication of the Article, the Author shall refer to Publisher all third-party requests for permission or licenses with respect to the Article, and decisions on such requests shall be within Publisher’s sole discretion. After said three (3) year period, Publisher shall refer third parties who request permission(s) or license(s) relating to the Article to Author for response.

4.    Author agrees to submit all illustrations, graphs, charts, etc., in jpg or png format or in another format acceptable to the publisher, at a minimum resolution of 300 dpi, rendered in black & white or in grayscale as appropriate. If redrawing or other processing of illustrations is necessary, this work shall be done either by Author or by Editor at Author’s expense. Editor will make the manuscript conform to a style of presentation, spelling, capitalization, and usage which it deems appropriate and consistent with prior publication of the Journal. Author shall have the opportunity to read and correct the proofs. Author agrees to promptly return all corrected proofs to Editor at Ethnology, Department of Anthropology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260. If Author fails to do this, Editor has the right to handle the proofs as he sees fit.

5.    Author agrees to promptly furnish to Publisher, at Author’s own expense, written evidence of the permissions, licenses, and consents for use of third-party material included within the Article.

6.    Author represents and warrants that: 

    a.    the Article is Author’s original work;

    b.    he/she possesses all right and authority to grant an exclusive license to the Article to Publisher for at least a period of three (3) years;

    c.    he/she has not transferred, and will not transfer in the next three (3) years, exclusive rights in the Article to any third party;

    d.    the Article is not pending review or under consideration by another publisher;

    e.    the Article has not previously been published;

    f.    the Article contains no misrepresentation or infringement of the work or property of other authors or third parties; and

    g.    the Article contains no libel, invasion of privacy, or other unlawful matter.

7.    Author agrees to indemnify and hold Publisher harmless from Author’s breach of the representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement, as well as any claim or proceeding relating to Publisher’s use and publication of any content contained in the Article, to include third-party content.