among the Mande
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Friday, April 9
Readings:
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/laurent.berte/Html/chronol1english.htm
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/laurent.berte/Html/chronol2english.htm
I. Introduction to Mande Societies (See Intro to Mande Societies PowerPoint slides here)
A. The Geopolitical Legacy of the Mali Empire & Colonialism
B . Mande Diaspora
C . Mande ethnolinguistic divisions
IMPORTANT: How to read Griots at War
Monday, April 12
Reading: De Jorio
See Chronology of Mande History Power Point slides here
See Mande Social Organization Power Point slides here
II. Mande Social Structure
A. Caste
B . Gender
D . Class
E . Age Grades/Gerontocracy
Wednesday, April 14 - Friday, April 16
Readings:
-Griots at War: pp: 1-34
-to know more - Griots at War: ch. 7 - Caste Mande Style (pp 234-251)
-Hale 1998
-Hoffman 1995
See Introduction to Griots PowerPoint slides here
III. Overview of Griots
A. social roles
B . The power of speech
C . Griots' domains of authority
See Mande
Caste, Power & Authority slides here
Monday, April 19 and Friday, April 23
Reading:
Griots at War: chapter 3, A History of Fadenya (pp: 35-52)
IV. The Kita Griot War
A. Cast of characters
B. Issues of perspective
C. Histories of the war
Monday, April 26
Reading:
Griots at War: ch. 4, Making Boundaries: When Griots Speak Before Nobles
(pp: 53-84)
V. Resolving the Kita Griot War
A. Rules of formal speech in Mande
B. The power of praise
C. The griot's wrath
See the Making Boundaries Power Point Slides here
Wednesday, April 28- Friday April 30
Reading:
Griots at War: ch. 5, Breaking Boundaries: When Nobles Speak Before
Griots (pp: 85-164)
D. Breaking the rules of formal speech in Mande
E. The power in praise of praise
F. Griots' response to nobles' praise
Monday, May 3
Reading:
Griots at War: ch. 6, The Healer Who is Ill Must Swallow His Own Saliva:
When Griots Speak to Griots (pp: 165-233)
G. Who holds the power?
H. Conflict resolved?
Friday, May 7
Assignment 4 DUE to Professor HOFFMAN:
Using the ethnographic information about Mande societies presented in class and in the readings, analyze how (argue that) the interplay of ideas about power, authority, tradition, and modernity shaped the following events described in Griots at War:
1. The greeting of the Canton Chief by the Kumatigi.
2. The Canton Chief’s representatives speak publicly to the griot crowd, and the Kumatigi responds.
3. The Canton Chief holds a meeting of the griot factions where the war is settled.Use proper essay, reference, and citation formats, margins no larger than 1” all around, double-spacing. 3-5 pages.
If you are unsure of how to write a properly formatted essay, look here:
CSU WRITING CENTER ONLINE TUTORIAL
If you want your paper returned to you, attach a self-addressed, stamped envelope to it when you turn it in.
Early submissions welcome!
Late submissions will be reduced by one letter grade per day - no email submissions accepted.
Papers may be faxed to: 216-687-9384 - be sure to put a cover sheet with my name on it.
Suggested outline (not obligatory, but very similar organization must be evident):
I. Intro: Mande ideas about power, authority, tradition & modernity in general.
II. Body
A. These ideas shaped the events when the griots greeted the Canton Chief.
B. These ideas shaped the events when the nobles spoke before the griots.
C. These ideas shaped the events when the Canton Chief held a meeting of the griot factions in his home.
III. Conclusion:
-summarize your argument and main points
-reflect on similarities and differences between Mande, Hausa, and Brazilian notions of power and authority.