
In Search of Salt
Changes in Beti (Cameroon) Society, 1880-1960
Frederick Quinn(Author)
Berghahn Books (Publisher)
1st Edition
Published on 1. August 2006
Book
Hardback
186 pages
978-1-84545-006-9 (ISBN)
Description
Relatively recent Bantu-speaking migrants to central Cameroon, the Beti have had an eventful history. Based on extensive interviews and traditional Beti (Fang) poetry, in addition to German and French archival sources, the author of this readable study recreates the social structure of the Beti and their self-perceptions in pre-colonial times, their disruptive encounters with first German (1880-1918) and then French (1918-1960) colonialism, until Cameroon's independence.
Reviews / Votes
"The first quality that captivates the reader of this unusual book on a segmentary society in confrontation with colonial modernity is the particularly meticulous identification of the sources...it...opens access to the life and words of prominent and brilliant Beti men who struggled, in their own day, with their own questions and answers." ? Journal of African HistoryMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
Library binding
Illustrations
Bibliography; Index
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
437 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-84545-006-9 (9781845450069)
DOI
10.3167/9781845450069
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
08/2006
Berghahn Books
€25.49
Available for download
Person
An American diplomat, who was posted in Cameroon for several years, Frederick Quinn (1935-2022) held higher academic degrees in history and African Studies and published widely on Africa. His Democracy at Dawn: Notes from Poland and Points East was named a TLS International Book of the Year.
Content
Introduction
Chapter 1. Traditional Beti Society
Chapter 2. Social Organization and the Sso Rite
Chapter 3. "In the Time of Major Dominik": The Beti and the Germans, 1887-1916
Chapter 4. The German Presence: Traders and Missionaries
Chapter 5. The Beti and the French
Chapter 6. Times of Expansion: The Inland Railroad, Cocoa Production, the Catholic Church
Chapter 7. The Beti from World War II to Independence
Conclusion
Appendix I: Traditional Beti Literature
Appendix II: Aspects of Traditional Beti Society, by Abbe Theodore Tsala
Appendix III: English Translation of Appendix II
Annex
Abbia Stones, by Frederick Quinn
Eight Beti Stones, by Frederick Quinn
Bibliography
Index
Chapter 1. Traditional Beti Society
Chapter 2. Social Organization and the Sso Rite
Chapter 3. "In the Time of Major Dominik": The Beti and the Germans, 1887-1916
Chapter 4. The German Presence: Traders and Missionaries
Chapter 5. The Beti and the French
Chapter 6. Times of Expansion: The Inland Railroad, Cocoa Production, the Catholic Church
Chapter 7. The Beti from World War II to Independence
Conclusion
Appendix I: Traditional Beti Literature
Appendix II: Aspects of Traditional Beti Society, by Abbe Theodore Tsala
Appendix III: English Translation of Appendix II
Annex
Abbia Stones, by Frederick Quinn
Eight Beti Stones, by Frederick Quinn
Bibliography
Index