Roles of Education in the Development of Various Sectors of a Country
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Taboos
Introduction
A culture as a sociological construct is a complex phenomenon. It takes time and conscious effort to be able to understand a particular culture. It is even more difficult if one wants willfully to assimilate some elements of that culture into his native one.
As a complex reality, culture consists of many elements. Some of these elements are essential to the very nature of that culture and without them such a culture would not have taken the shape it has now.
In the context of African studies, the researcher believes that the notion of taboos has been an essential element of African religion and culture. He reckons that taboos do not only constitute a part of African cultural heritage but also provide a good explanation of that heritage.
Justification
The researcher decided to focus on taboo in African culture from a general point of view. He believes that taboos are an essential concept in African culture and that to understand them will enable him to infer better its psychological, religious and social consequences.
Purpose
The purpose of this work is to explore a concept of taboos in Africa. It will be done by defining taboos, providing examples and the way they can be categorized. A special attention will be given to the the role of taboo in maintaining social structures of African society.
Methodology.
This research is an ethnographic investigation that is interested not so much about studying people but rather in learning from people. Such an investigation takes place in order to understand the way people process their experiences (Spradley, 1979, p. 3) or “to get inside their heads”(Spradley, 1980, p. 10).
The researcher chose a qualitative approach in designing the survey. Due to the very nature of this particular research with its topic, a non-probability approach to sampling was taken.
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Taboos
Introduction
A culture as a sociological construct is a complex phenomenon. It takes time and conscious effort to be able to understand a particular culture. It is even more difficult if one wants willfully to assimilate some elements of that culture into his native one.
As a complex reality, culture consists of many elements. Some of these elements are essential to the very nature of that culture and without them such a culture would not have taken the shape it has now.
In the context of African studies, the researcher believes that the notion of taboos has been an essential element of African religion and culture. He reckons that taboos do not only constitute a part of African cultural heritage but also provide a good explanation of that heritage.
Justification
The researcher decided to focus on taboo in African culture from a general point of view. He believes that taboos are an essential concept in African culture and that to understand them will enable him to infer better its psychological, religious and social consequences.
Purpose
The purpose of this work is to explore a concept of taboos in Africa. It will be done by defining taboos, providing examples and the way they can be categorized. A special attention will be given to the the role of taboo in maintaining social structures of African society.
Methodology.
This research is an ethnographic investigation that is interested not so much about studying people but rather in learning from people. Such an investigation takes place in order to understand the way people process their experiences (Spradley, 1979, p. 3) or “to get inside their heads”(Spradley, 1980, p. 10).
The researcher chose a qualitative approach in designing the survey. Due to the very nature of this particular research with its topic, a non-probability approach to sampling was taken.
Bibliography: Ahn, J,B-K. (2003). “Sexual taboos and morality among the Agikuyu people of Kenya”. In Katola, M (Ed). MIASMU Research Integration Papers to Moral Teaching and Practices of African Religion. Jan-Apr semester. Andemariam, M. (2001). “Place of taboos in Gikuyu morality”. In Magesa, L. (Ed). MIASMU Research Integration Papers to Moral Teaching and Practices of African Religion. August session. Ayisi, O.E. (1972). African culture. Nairobi: East African Educational Publishers. Dominik, W. (2007). What is Christian counselling within spiritual/religious paradigm, unpublished MA thesis, Manchester University. Durkheim, E. (1963). Incest: The nature and the origin of the taboo. New York: Lyle Stuart. Fisher, R.B. (1997). West African Religious Traditions. New York: Maryknoll. Holden, L. (2000). Encyclopedia of Taboos. Oxford: ABC CLIO Ltd. Mbiti, J.S Parrinder, G. (1969). Religion in Africa. New York: Praeger Publishers. Russell, H.B Scanlan, R. (2003). “The concept of taboos in African society with reference to the Kikuyu of Kenya”. In Getui, M (Ed). MIASMU Research Integration Papers to African Culture: An overview. Jan-Apr semester. Spradley, P.J. (1979). Ethnographic interview. Fort Worth: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc. Spradley, P.J. (1980). Participant Observation. Fort Worth: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc. Steiner, F. (1956). Taboo. London: Cohen &West Ltd.