Colonial auxiliaries or advocates of colonial subjects? A comparative view on
chiefs and 'traditional rule' during the colonial period
Location:	Portugal
Call for Papers Deadline:	2010-01-31
___________

With the transfers of power in still-colonial sub-Saharan Africa, the époque of
'traditional chieftaincy' seemed to be finally over. The chiefs that had been
regarded by 'modern' colonial officials, and by social scientists, as an
outmoded product of either the colonial state, or of African 'despotism',
appeared to lose all of their authority. Some of the more 'radical'
postcolonial governments, like in Guinea-Conakry or in Tanzania, would engage
to abolish 'traditional rule' altogether.
However, fifty years later, we are puzzled by the resilience of chieftaincy in
many parts of the African continent. Moreover, it has to be asked what in the
end had been the role of the 'traditional rulers' inside the late colonial
states, and if the chiefs did not retain a good part of their room for
manoeuvre. Did 'traditional rulers' learn how to 'play the game'? Can the 1940s
and 1950s even be understood as a period in which they acquired the skills to
survive after independence?

We invite scholars from all disciplines of the humanities and social sciences,
but, above all, historians and anthropologists to participate in the conference
to be held on 3 and 4 June 2010 at the University of Porto, Portugal, organised
by the Centre of African Studies (CEAUP).

This conference will attempt to describe, from a comparative perspective, the
role of the institution of chieftaincy under the colonial states. It will
address a large number of subjects, those including:

* the role of the chiefs in tax enforcement and forced labour;
* chiefs as instruments of the colonial state, and their personal interest;
* the boundaries of chiefly activities;
* established dynasties vs. favourites of colonial administration: the
mechanisms of succession;
* the role of the chiefs during decolonisation.

We would ask for proposals for conference papers until the 31 January 2010.
Papers are expected to have a length of approximately 20 minutes. Main
conference language is English, contributions in Portuguese and French are
possible. Proposals should be addressed to ceaup@letras.up.pt.

A selection of the most innovative conference papers will be published as a
special issue of Africana Studia in December 2010.

Centro de Estudos Africanos U. P.
Faculdade de Letras da Universidade do Porto
Via Panorâmica s/n
4150-564 Porto
Contact: ceaup@letras

   Announcement ID: 171663
   http://www.h-net.org/announce/show.cgi?ID=171663

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