
Structure, Meaning and Ritual in the Narratives of the Southern San
Roger Hewitt(Author)
Wits University Press
Published on 1. August 2008
Book
Paperback/Softback
264 pages
978-1-86814-470-9 (ISBN)
Description
Analyses texts drawn from the Bleek and Lloyd Archive, arguably one of the most important collections for the understanding of South African cultural heritage and in particular the traditions of the /Xam, South Africas first people.
Initially appearing in a now rare 1986 edition and here re-issued for the first time, the doctoral thesis on which the book is based became the catalyst for much scholarly research. The book offers an analysis of the entire corpus of /Xam narratives found in the Bleek and Lloyd collection, focusing particularly on the cycle of narratives concerning the trickster /Kaggen (Mantis). These are examined on three levels from the 'deep structures' with resonances in other areas of /Xam culture and supernatural belief, through the recurring patterns of narrative composition apparent across the cycle and finally touching on the observable differences in the performances by the various /Xam collaborators.
Hewitt's text remains the only comprehensive and detailed study of /Xam narrative, and it has become itself the object of study by researchers and PhD candidates in South Africa, the United Kingdom, Canada and elsewhere. This new edition at last makes Hewitt's important work more widely available. It will be a welcome addition to the recently burgeoning literature on the place of the /Xam hunter-gatherers in the complex history of South African culture and society.
Initially appearing in a now rare 1986 edition and here re-issued for the first time, the doctoral thesis on which the book is based became the catalyst for much scholarly research. The book offers an analysis of the entire corpus of /Xam narratives found in the Bleek and Lloyd collection, focusing particularly on the cycle of narratives concerning the trickster /Kaggen (Mantis). These are examined on three levels from the 'deep structures' with resonances in other areas of /Xam culture and supernatural belief, through the recurring patterns of narrative composition apparent across the cycle and finally touching on the observable differences in the performances by the various /Xam collaborators.
Hewitt's text remains the only comprehensive and detailed study of /Xam narrative, and it has become itself the object of study by researchers and PhD candidates in South Africa, the United Kingdom, Canada and elsewhere. This new edition at last makes Hewitt's important work more widely available. It will be a welcome addition to the recently burgeoning literature on the place of the /Xam hunter-gatherers in the complex history of South African culture and society.
Reviews / Votes
Roger Hewitt's 'centrally important thesis... was the first to recognize the significance of the [Bleek and Lloyd] archive and give us the inaugural scholarly introduction to it. Pippa Skotnes, director of the Bleek and Lloyd archive This remains a remarkable work of scholarship. Andrew Bank, historian, University of the Western CapeMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Johannesburg
South Africa
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 224 mm
Width: 150 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
363 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-86814-470-9 (9781868144709)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
08/2008
Abingdon Press
€29.49
Available for download
Person
Roger Hewitt is Senior Research Associate in the Centre for Urban and Community Research (CUCR) at Goldsmiths, University of London.