Originally published in 1989, this book examines how the inter-ethnic relationships of the clans of the pastoral Rendille, Gabbra, Sakuye and some Somalis of northern Kenya and southern Ethiopia came about. It also examines the uses to which these inter-ethnic relationships are put: for example in managing herds. Oral history is combined with cultural comparison and the analysis of social structure. Blending synchronic and diachronic perspectives, the book synthesises historical ethnology in the Continental tradition with social anthropology. Historically it overturns some established ideas about how the Horn of Africa was settled. Anthropologically it shows how relations may exceed the bounds of the ethnic group as the conventional unit of study.
- ISBN10 0719030102
- ISBN13 9780719030109
- Publish Date 9 November 1989
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 22 May 1996
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint Manchester University Press
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 320
- Language English