Upload
others
View
2
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Honour in African History
This is the first published account of the role played by ideas of honour inAfrican history from the fourteenth century to the present day. It argues thatappreciation of these ideas is essential to an understanding of past and presentAfrican behaviour. Before European conquest, many African men cultivatedheroic honour, others admired the civic virtues of the patriarchal householder,and women honoured one another for industry, endurance, and devotion to theirfamilies. These values both conflicted and blended with Islamic and Christianteachings. Colonial conquest fragmented heroic cultures, but inherited ideasof honour found new expression in regimental loyalty, respectability, profes-sionalism, working-class masculinity, the changing gender relationships ofthe colonial order, and the nationalist movements that overthrew the old order.Today, the same inherited notions obstruct democracy, inspire resistance totyranny, and motivate the defence of dignity in the face of AIDS.
JOHN ILIFFE is Professor of African History at Cambridge University and aFellow of St. John’s College. He is the author of many books, including TheAfrican Poor: A History (Cambridge, 1987) and Africans: The History of aContinent (Cambridge, 1995). The African Poor was awarded the HerskovitsPrize of the African Studies Association of the United States.
© Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org
Cambridge University Press0521546850 - Honour in African HistoryJohn IliffeFrontmatterMore information
African Studies Series 107
Editorial Board
Dr. David Anderson, St. Antony’s College, OxfordProfessor Carolyn Brown, Department of History, Rutgers UniversityProfessor Christopher Clapham, Centre of African Studies, Cambridge UniversityProfessor Michael Gomez, Department of History, New York UniversityProfessor Patrick Manning, Department of History, Northeastern UniversityProfessor David Robinson, Department of History, Michigan State UniversityProfessor Leonardo A. Villalon, Center for African Studies, University of Florida
other books in the series64 Bankole-Bright and Politics in Colonial Sierra Leone: The Passing of the “Krio Era,”
1919–1958, Akintola Wyse65 Contemporary West African States, Donal Cruise O’Brien, John Dunn, and Richard Rathbone66 The Oromo of Ethiopia: A History, 1570–1860, Mohammed Hassen67 Slavery and African Life: Occidental, Oriental and African Slave Trades, Patrick Manning68 Abraham Esau’s War: A Black South African War in the Cape, 1899–1902, Bill Nasson69 The Politics of Harmony: Land Dispute Strategies in Swaziland, Laurel Rose70 Zimbabwe’s Guerrilla War: Peasant Voices, Norma Kriger71 Ethiopia: Power and Protest: Peasant Revolts in the Twentieth Century, Gebru Tareke72 White Supremacy and Black Resistance in Pre-Industrial South Africa: The Making of the
Colonial Order in the Eastern Cape, 1770–1865, Clifton C. Crais73 The Elusive Granary: Herder, Farmer, and State in Northern Kenya, Peter D. Little74 The Kanyok of Zaire: An Institutional and Ideological History to 1895, John C. Yoder75 Pragmatism in the Age of Jihad: The Precolonial State of Bundu, Michael A. Gomez76 Slow Death for Slavery: The Course of Abolition in Northern Nigeria, 1897–1936, Paul E.
Lovejoy and Jan S. Hogendorn77 West African Slavery and Atlantic Commerce: The Senegal River Valley, 1700–1860, James
Searing78 A South African Kingdom: The Pursuit of Security in Nineteenth-Century Lesotho, Elizabeth
A. Eldredge79 State and Society in Pre-Colonial Asante, T. C. McCaskie80 Islamic Society and State Power in Senegal: Disciples and Citizens in Fatick, Leonardo A.
Villalon81 Ethnic Pride and Racial Prejudice in Victorian Cape Town: Group Identity and Social
Practice, Vivian Bickford-Smith82 The Eritrean Struggle for Independence: Domination, Resistance and Nationalism,
1941–1993, Ruth Iyob83 Corruption and State Politics in Sierra Leone, William Reno84 The Culture of Politics in Modern Kenya, Angelique Haugerud85 Africans: The History of a Continent, John Iliffe86 From Slave Trade to ‘Legitimate’ Commerce, Robin Law87 Leisure and Society in Colonial Brazzaville, Phyllis M. Martin
(continued after the index)
© Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org
Cambridge University Press0521546850 - Honour in African HistoryJohn IliffeFrontmatterMore information
Honour in Afr ican His tory
John IliffeCambridge University
© Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org
Cambridge University Press0521546850 - Honour in African HistoryJohn IliffeFrontmatterMore information
published by the press syndicate of the university of cambridgeThe Pitt Building, Trumpington Street, Cambridge, United Kingdom
cambridge university pressThe Edinburgh Building, Cambridge CB2 2RU, UK40 West 20th Street, New York, NY 10011-4211, USA477 Williamstown Road, Port Melbourne, VIC 3207, AustraliaRuiz de Alarcon 13, 28014 Madrid, SpainDock House, The Waterfront, Cape Town 8001, South Africa
http://www.cambridge.org
c© John Iliffe 2005
This book is in copyright. Subject to statutory exceptionand to the provisions of relevant collective licensing agreements,no reproduction of any part may take place withoutthe written permission of Cambridge University Press.
First published 2005
Printed in the United States of America
Typeface Times 10/13 pt. System LATEX 2ε [TB]
A catalog record for this book is available from the British Library.
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Iliffe, John.Honour in African history / John Iliffe.
p. cm. – (African studies series ; 107)Includes bibliographical references and index.ISBN 0-521-83785-5 – ISBN 0-521-54685-0 (pbk.)1. Honor – Africa – History. I. Title. II. Series.
DT21.I44 2004303.3′72′096–dc22 2004045687
ISBN 0 521 83785 5 hardbackISBN 0 521 54685 0 paperback
© Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org
Cambridge University Press0521546850 - Honour in African HistoryJohn IliffeFrontmatterMore information
forjohn lonsdalecolleague, friend,and scholar
© Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org
Cambridge University Press0521546850 - Honour in African HistoryJohn IliffeFrontmatterMore information
Contents
Maps page xiIllustrations xiiPreface xiiiAbbreviations xiv
1 The Comparative History of Honour 1
part one: hero and householder
2 Men on Horseback 11
3 Honour and Islam 31
4 Christian Ethiopia 54
5 Honour, Rank, and Warfare Among the Yoruba 67
6 Honour and the State in West and Central Africa 83
7 Honour Without the State 100
8 The Honour of the Slave 119
9 Praise and Slander in Southern Africa 140
10 Ekitiibwa and Martyrdom 161
ix
© Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org
Cambridge University Press0521546850 - Honour in African HistoryJohn IliffeFrontmatterMore information
x Contents
part two: fragmentation and mutation
11 The Deaths of Heroes 183
12 Honour in Defeat 202
13 The Honour of the Mercenary 227
14 Respectability 246
15 Honour and Gender 262
16 Urbanisation and Masculinity 281
17 Honour, Race, and Nation 306
18 Political Honour 328
19 To Live in Dignity 350
20 Concluding Questions 367
Bibliography 371Index 393
© Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org
Cambridge University Press0521546850 - Honour in African HistoryJohn IliffeFrontmatterMore information
Maps
1 Southern Africa. page xvi2 Eastern Africa. xviii3 West-Central Africa. xx4 West Africa. xxii5 Independent African states. xxiv
xi
© Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org
Cambridge University Press0521546850 - Honour in African HistoryJohn IliffeFrontmatterMore information
Illustrations
1. Terracotta equestrian figure from the Inland Delta of theNiger, Mali. page 16
2. A young Kuba man. 1043. Wagas. 1134. Ham Mukasa and Apolo Kaggwa in 1902. 2105. Drilling at the stope face. 2886. Nkrumah addressing a party rally. 3107. Mobutu. 3358. AIDS. 365
xii
© Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org
Cambridge University Press0521546850 - Honour in African HistoryJohn IliffeFrontmatterMore information
Preface
This book draws on forty years of research and study during which I haveincurred more debts of gratitude than I can list, but I am especially grateful toCedric Barnes, Shane Doyle, Sarah Irons, Bill Noblett, John Rowe, MichaelTwaddle, and the staff of the Cape Archives Depot, Cape Town.
The book is dedicated to John Lonsdale, with whom I have worked closelyfor almost the whole of my career. How much I have learned from him willappear from the text. How much I owe him for his unfailing enthusiasm andconsideration will, I hope, appear from this dedication.
xiii
© Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org
Cambridge University Press0521546850 - Honour in African HistoryJohn IliffeFrontmatterMore information
Abbreviations
ANC African National Congress (of South Africa)BIFAN Bulletin de l’Institut Francais [Fondamental] de l’Afrique NoireCA Cape Archives Depot, Cape TownCAB Cabinet [records in PRO]CEA Cahiers d’Etudes AfricainesCFA Communaute Financiere AfricaineCMS Church Missionary Society [records in Birmingham University
Library]CO Colonial Office [records in PRO]CPP Convention Peoples’ Party (Ghana)CS Chief/Colonial SecretaryCSSH Comparative Studies in Society and HistoryCUL Cambridge University LibraryCWM Council for World Mission [records in SOAS Library]DO Dominions Office [records in PRO]FO Foreign Office [records in PRO]FOCP Foreign Office Confidential PrintICU Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (of South Africa)IJAHS International Journal of African Historical StudiesJACS Journal of African Cultural StudiesJAH Journal of African HistoryJES Journal of Ethiopian StudiesJHSN Journal of the Historical Society of NigeriaJMAS Journal of Modern African StudiesJSAS Journal of Southern African StudiesKAR King’s African Rifles
xiv
© Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org
Cambridge University Press0521546850 - Honour in African HistoryJohn IliffeFrontmatterMore information
Abbreviations xv
KNA Kenya National ArchivesMMS Methodist Missionary Society [records in SOAS Library]MNA Malawi National ArchivesNS New SeriesOAU Organisation of African UnityPDG Parti Democratique de GuineePP Parliamentary PapersPRO Public Record Office, LondonRAL Research in African LiteraturesRH Rhodes House, OxfordRKA Reichskolonialamt [records in Bundesarchiv, Berlin]SAHJ South African Historical JournalSAIRR South African Institute of Race RelationsS of S Secretary of StateSOAS School of Oriental and African Studies, LondonTANU Tanganyika African National Union [records at party headquarters]TNA Tanzania National Archives, Dar es SalaamTRC Truth and Reconciliation Commission (South Africa)UNA Uganda National ArchivesUP Unofficial PapersUPC Union des Populations de CamerounWAFF West African Frontier ForceWFA White Fathers Archives, RomeWO War Office [records in PRO]ZNA Zimbabwe National Archives
© Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org
Cambridge University Press0521546850 - Honour in African HistoryJohn IliffeFrontmatterMore information
Pretoria
OrangeFreeState
Transkei
Nat
al
DR
AK
EN
SBE
RG
Johannesburg
TONGA
NGWATO
East London
SOT
HO
TSW
AN
A
Copperbelt
Elisabethville
Broken Hill
Lusaka
×
×
×
×
××
Luanda
Kisama
OVAMBO
KALAHARI
MFENGUXHOSA
LOZI
LUNDA
×
×
R. ORANGE
Kimberley
R. CALEDON
EngcoboKeiskamahoek
Stellenbosch
Cape Town
Fort HareLovedale
GrahamstownBathurstROBBEN IS.
Kingwilliamstown
PeddieCiskei
×
×
××
××
×
××
××
Witwate
rsra
nd
KAZEMBE
NDWANDWEZULU
QWABE
Map 1. Southern Africa
xvi
© Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org
Cambridge University Press0521546850 - Honour in African HistoryJohn IliffeFrontmatterMore information
MA
DA
GA
SCA
R
R. LIM
PO
PO
Durban
YAO
NDEBELE
SWAZI
LAKE
NYASA
Harare(Salisbury)
R. ZAMBEZI
COMOROSIS.
××
BEMBA
TONGA
CHEWA
xvii
© Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org
Cambridge University Press0521546850 - Honour in African HistoryJohn IliffeFrontmatterMore information
DIN
KA
MA
ND
ARI
NU
ER
WHITE NILE
OR
OM
O
Wol
lo
Ifat
Shoa
Kef
a
GA
MO
KO
NS
O
Add
isA
baba
AM
HA
RA
Sem
ien
Tigr
ayGun
da-G
unde
Adw
a
BLUE NILE
Gon
dar
Ada
l
L.T
AN
A
Goj
jam
R. JUBA
R. SHEBELLE
×
×
× ×
×
×
Kha
rtou
m
FU
NJ
Sinn
ar
SO
MA
LI
xviii
© Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org
Cambridge University Press0521546850 - Honour in African HistoryJohn IliffeFrontmatterMore information
Mrima
NY
AK
YU
SA
TO
NG
A
LA
KE
NYA
SA
IRA
QW
MAASAI
KIKUYU
NA
ND
I
SAMBURU
GIS
HU
MT.
EL
GO
N
LA
KE
V
ICTO
RIA
HAYA
RU
ND
I
RWA
ND
ANam
ugon
go
Jinja
SO
GA
Kam
pala
Kig
ali
But
are
UK
ER
EW
E I
S.
LE
GA
NK
OR
E
LU
BA
LA
KE
TA
NG
AN
YIK
A
Manyema
NY
OR
O
GANDA
Kab
ula
Buddu
LUO
TURKANA
MT.
KE
NYA
ME
RU
ME
RU
Nai
robi
×
×
××
× × ×
×
×
××
××
×
Mog
adis
hu
Hol
a
Ful
adoy
o
Usa
mba
ra
Bag
amoy
o
Dar
es
Sala
am
Irin
ga
R. R
UF
IJI
Mom
basa
PE
MB
A I
S.
ZA
NZ
IBA
R I
S.
Pan
gani
Map
2.E
aste
rnA
fric
a
xix
© Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org
Cambridge University Press0521546850 - Honour in African HistoryJohn IliffeFrontmatterMore information
Cam
eroo
nsG
rass
fiel
ds
BE
TI
Dua
la
R. U
BA
NG
I
×
R. B
EN
UE
FULA
HA
US
A
CH
IBU
K
MA
SS
A
SA
RA
GB
AY
A
Kan
oB
urm
i
Gar
uaY
ola
Bau
chi
Ada
maw
aMad
agal
i
BO
RN
O
Bag
irm
i
Kan
em
L. C
HA
D
R. LOGONE
×
×
× ×
×
xx
© Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org
Cambridge University Press0521546850 - Honour in African HistoryJohn IliffeFrontmatterMore information
Lib
revi
lle
Bra
zzav
ille
Kin
shas
a
Kis
ama
Lua
nda
R. S
AN
KU
RU
R. KWANGO
R. LULUA
R. KASAI
Elis
abet
hvill
e
R. LOMAMI
R. LUALABA
Soy
o
KO
NG
O
LE
LE
YA
KA
LU
ND
A
KU
BA
MO
NG
O
R. C
ON
GO
KA
NY
OKT
ET
EL
A LU
BA
TIO
FA
NG
× ×
×
××
×
Map
3.W
est-
Cen
tral
Afr
ica
xxi
© Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org
Cambridge University Press0521546850 - Honour in African HistoryJohn IliffeFrontmatterMore information
SENOUFO
BAMANA
Mali
R. NIG
ER
Jenne
Ouossebougou
Yamoussoukro
×
×
××
Saint-Louis
Futa Toro
Dakar
TUKULOR
WOLOF
Kajoor
Bathurst(Banjul) JOLA
CasamanceKaab
u
R. SENEGAL
R. GAMBIA
R. F
ALE
ME
Gal
am
B u n d u
Freetown
Monrovia
FutaJalon
Galinhas
Segu
Banamba
Bamako
Kankan
Jaara
SERER
MANDINKA
BALANTA
SONINKE
BAOULE
KRU
GOLA
SHERBRO
SUSU
BAGA
GO
URO
×
×
×
×
×
×
×
×
Map 4. West Africaxxii
© Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org
Cambridge University Press0521546850 - Honour in African HistoryJohn IliffeFrontmatterMore information
ZARMA
FULA
HAUSA
MAHIKABRE
AKAN
TALLENSI
FULA
S o n g h a i
MOSSI
IGBO
YO
RU
BA
TIV
R. NIGER
Gobir
KOFYAR
R. BENUE
Okemesi
Ekiti
Ode OndoIjebu
Benin
IfeDahomeyAbeokuta
Old C
alabar
Ouidah
Cotonou
Lagos
Accra
Asante
Gold Coast
Ahafo
Masina
Ouagadougou
Banda
ObassaEdwesoJuaben
Agona
Kumase
Cape C
oast
Abidjna
Oyo
Ilorin
Bida
Zaria
Kano
KatsinaGwandu
SokotoSatiru
IjayeIbadan
Ilesha
××
×
×
×
××
××
××
×
×
××
×
×
××
××
×
×
××
×××
××
××
×
Ivory Coast
Timbuktu
xxiii
© Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org
Cambridge University Press0521546850 - Honour in African HistoryJohn IliffeFrontmatterMore information
N
MA
LTA
T
UN
ISIA
LIB
YA
EG
YP
T
SUD
AN
ERIT
REA
SOC
OT
RA
(to
S. Y
emen
)
Ind
ian
Oc
ea
n
SE
YC
HE
LL
ES
MA
UR
ITIU
S
RÉ
UN
ION
(to
Fra
nce)
LE
SO
TH
O
SW
AZ
ILA
ND
RE
PU
BL
IC
OF
AF
RIC
A
SOU
TH
ZA
MB
IAA
NG
OL
A
CONGOZ
AIR
E BU
RU
ND
I
NA
MIB
IAB
OT
SW
AN
A
RW
AN
DA T
AN
ZA
NIA
KE
NY
A
ET
HIO
PIA
MALAWI
NIG
ER
IA
CH
AD
MA
DE
IRA
(to
Port
.)
NIG
ER
MA
LI
GU
INE
A
MA
UR
ITA
NIA
GA
MB
IA
CA
PE
VE
RD
E
GHANA
BENIN
EQ
UA
TO
RIA
L G
UIN
EA
SÃ
O T
OM
Éε−
PR
INC
IPE
CO
MO
RO
S
AL
GE
RIA
CA
NA
RY I
S(t
o Sp
ain)
Atl
an
tic
Oc
ea
n
0 050
0
500 10
00
1000
1500
mil
es
km
WE
ST
ER
N
SA
HA
RA
MO
RO
CC
O
SE
NE
GA
L
GU
INE
A-B
ISS
AU
SIE
RR
AL
EO
NE
IV
ORY
CO
AS
TBU
RK
INA
FAS
O
LIB
ER
IAT
OG
O
GA
BO
N
CA
ME
RO
ON
CE
NT
RA
LA
FR
ICA
NR
EP
UB
LIC
UGANDA
MA
DA
GA
SCA
R
MOZAMBIQU
E
ZIM
BA
BW
E
SO
MALIA
DJI
BO
UT
I
Map
5.In
depe
nden
tAfr
ican
stat
es.Source:
Ada
pted
from
Rol
and
Oliv
er,TheAfricanexperience
(Lon
don,
1991
),p.
233.
xxiv
© Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org
Cambridge University Press0521546850 - Honour in African HistoryJohn IliffeFrontmatterMore information