West African City: A Study of Tribal Life in Freetown

by Michael Banton

Overview

Originally published in 1957 this volume deals with the issue of large scale immigration into Freetown, Sierra Leone from the rural areas in the 1950s and the problems which arose as a result. It analyzes the way traditional social systems had to adjust to the demands of urban life and charts the growth of Freetown from its foundation in the 18th Century. The ethnic composition of its population and the character of the rural districts from which the migrants come are also discussed, along with the motives for migration, the nature of housing and employment.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781351042284
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	08/16/2018
Series:	African Ethnographic Studies of the 20th Century
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	254
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Michael Banton was Lecturer, and subsequently Reader, in Social Anthropology, University of Edinburgh, 1954-65, and professor of Sociology, University of Bristol, 1965-92. He was President of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland 1987-89, and President of the Sociology section, (1970-71) and the Anthropology section, (1985 - 86) within the British Association for the Advancement of Science.

Table of Contents

Part 1: The Growth of Freetown 1. Tribal Settlements in a Creole City 2. Problems of Administration Part 2: Internal Migration 3. The Background to Rural Emigration 4. Migration and Employment Part 3: Urban Structure and Tribal Institutions 5. Freetown's Population 6. Ethnic Groups and their Relations 7. Tribal Groups and Religious Alignments 8. Tribal Headmen 9. Young Men's Companies Among the Temne 10. Other Voluntary Associations 11. The Household 12. Summary and Conclusions Appendices: 1. 'Rules for Alimamies of Alien Tribes in Freetown' Made Between 1888 and 1892 2. Texts of Selected Temne Company Songs