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Other Cultures Other Anthropologists: the Experiences of an African Fieldworker

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 April 2022

C. Bawa Yamba
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Extract

Kwame Nkrumah, first president of the Republic of Ghana, and the scourge in his heyday, of what he termed “neo-colonialism”, is said to have had a painting displayed prominently in the main hall of his home. It is said to have depicted an outlined of a map of Africa in the midst of which an awakening black giant was shaking off his chains. Fleeing from the continent in terror were three pale Europeans: The first one grasped a suitcase, signifying the colonial administrator; the second in his white cassock, was, unmistakeably, the missionary; and the third was the anthropologist. This painting, needless to say, epitomized the feelings of most colonial peoples — at least those whose feelines could have any significant consequences — towards anthropologists and anthropology.

Type
Articles
Information
African Research and Documentation , Volume 37 , 1985 , pp. 1 - 20
Copyright
Copyright © International African Institute 1985

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Footnotes

My field work in the Sudan was supported by a very generous grant from SAREC (Swedish Agency for Research Cooperation with Developing Countries). This paper draws heavily on SAREC Fieldwork Progress Report (82/187). I would like to acknowledge my gratitude for the assistance of this agency.

This paper was presented at the conference of the African Studies Association of the United Kingdom held at York University, September 1984.

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