Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1971. / Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 202-207).

This thesis is organized as a set of essays which tackle various theoretical issues pertaining to an understanding of the ideology of kingship among the Aruwund (Lunda of the Mwant Yaav) of southern Zaire. Following an introductory text which supplies the historical background, the thesis begins with the description and analysis of the Ruwund myth of foundation of the state. The myth is here seen as a "constellation of myths", a set of minor narratives relating to high office which constitute, define and permanently re-create the "main myth". It is this fluidity of oral tradition that is examined by demonstrating how episodes and minor title histories are evoked or omitted by narrators who display different emphases of the myth and attempt to manipulate a repertoire to their better advantage (ch. I). Through reconstructing this process, and the "contradictory versions" which it originates, we are drawn into the academic debate that has long opposed structuralists to ethnohistorians in the analysis of oral traditions (ch. I/II). Chapter II reviews the concept of the "culture hero" as used in the literature on the recurrent central African image of the alien hunter, founder of a new civilization. It suggests that the Ruwund myth of the origin of kingship should be understood as a tale of social renewal rather than that of the introduction of a foreign civilization in the midst of a more rudimentary order. This being so, the foundation of the state is a process generating from within in which the role of the autochthonous order as bearer of "culture" should be considered attentively. In the three chapters that follow I discuss the system of "perpetual kinship" (as defined by I. Gunnison in 1956), issues on hierarchy, and the symbolic use of space. All three chapters can be seen to reveal mechanisms of establishing, creating and encoding symbolic relationships relating to the Ruwund ideology of kingship. In the first of these chapters (ch. III) it is argued that perpetual kinship ties among Ruwund dignitaries, notwithstanding the use of a kinship idiom, are above all metaphors for symbolic relationships. The following chapter analyses the salutation system and the use of insignia of power among court officials and questions L. Dumont's assertion that hierarchy constitutes the "ideology" in traditional societies. Finally, chapter V looks at royal and minor courts as "constructed spaces" within which relations between dignitaries are both shaped and acted out through relative positionings. The last two chapters are concerned with royal ritual. It is intended to contribute to Africanist literature a detailed ethnographic account of the Ruwund royal installation ritual (ch. VI). The following chapter claims that its understanding can only be attained by examining a wider structure of rituals and with reference, in particular, to non-royal symbolism and ceremonies.

Economic historians of West Africa have argued that market principles have determined economic organisation in the area. In Ghana such market principles have been associated with long periods of growth in the cocoa sector. However, this growth has not led to incomes comparable with those of developed countries. Our central question in this thesis is why have markets failed to produce such levels of income? A first step to answering this question is provided in chapter 2 where we set out a model for the growth of the cocoa sector in Ghana to examine how markets have succeeded in generating growth and to analyse the factors limiting growth. Chapters 3 and test the implications of the model for both the major periods of growth in the cocoa sector and extend the analysis to the whole economy. Rapid aggregate per capita growth is shown to have occurred until 1939, in contrast to stagnation after 1950. Growth and productivity in the cocoa sector is examined in detail. In chapters 5 and 6 we investigate the role of market failure in limiting the growth process already documented. We argue in chapter 5 that one rationale for public sector intervention offered in development economics is an assertion of the empirical importance of market failure, particularly in labour, trade and investment markets. We show that while some of these aspects of market failure were present they were not empirically important. The market failure that was important for the cocoa sector, analysed in chapter 6, was in the market for technical knowledge. We show that the causes of poverty in Ghana before 1939 are due to this market failure, while after 1950 the cause must be sought in the public sector's unwillingness for rational political reasons to operate through markets. A final chapter summarises the argument.

The discourse that surrounds Igbo dance theatre has not received substantial critical scrutiny. This study seeks to investigate the absence of exposition and post climatic stages in Igbo dance theatre. It argues that the absence of these stages or 'missing links' has resulted in the sequestration of structure and plot of contemporary Igbo dances thus making it difficult for audience members (especially the non-indigene or foreigners) to fully understand and appreciate the performances. Through a studio practice, this research aims to create a new dance theatre narrative to help analyse and read Igbo dances, and develop a new 'Igbo Descriptive Documentation System' derived from Ann Hutchinson‘s motif notation. The investigations of selective archetypal dances from Igboland form the basis of this study. These dances took place at the following places: the Iri-Agha dance of Ohafia in Abia State; the Nkwa-Umuagbogho and Nkwa-Nwaite dances of Afikpo in Ebonyi State; the Agborogu dance of Mbaise, in Imo State and Nkwa-Agu that originated from the Ogbagu masquerade dance of the Ajali and Nofija people in Anambra State. Field interviews and observations conducted in Eastern Nigeria helped generate information on dance narratives, patterns, designs, and overall aesthetic strategies and enabled me to trace the cultural activities and background of the Igbo people from which the above named dances have evolved. This research draws its critical methodology from Brad Haseman‘s performative and Yvonne Hardt‘s repertoire theories referring to practice-based research. Through studio practice, an extensive and holistic narrative in Igbo dance theatre (Nkwa-Ike) was created which featured a dramatic plot development consisting of a beginning, middle and end with the view of justifying the all-embracing theatrical nature of the dance. It is expected that the practice will enable audience members to fully comprehend the performance and read the dance narrative effectively. In contrast to Hutchinson‘s euro-modernist model of recording core movements in dance, this new model is framed within the polyrhythmic and polymovemental aesthetics of Igbo dance theatre.

The thesis examines child rights protection in Nigeria particularly in the context of problems created by the constitution and culture in establishing an effective child rights framework. Its central argument is that the peculiar constitutional arrangement hinders the effective implementation of the Nigerian Child Rights Act (CRA) 2003. It also argues that cultural perceptions with respect to children also serve as formidable opposition to the recognition of children as rights holders. Having argued along these lines, the thesis proposes certain reform measures that may be adopted in resolving the problems created by these factors and assesses their suitability to the Nigerian society.

This study was designed to analyse and to describe the language of non-native student-teachers who use English as a medium of instruction and who also teach it as a subject. The aim was to describe the formal and functional features of the variety of English they use and to discover whether it constitutes a language system that applies identifiable and descriptively adequate sets of rules. In his analysis, the researcher discussed definitions and 'general properties' of communication to establish criteria within which communicative activities were described in terms of information structuring by student-teachers and information processing by learners. He observed that student-teachers' language generally consists of systematically occuring features that constitute a spoken interlanguage that can be described as a language in its own right. He also observed that the interlanguage variety consists of syntactical and stylistic features some of which are identical to those that characterise native-speaker discourse. At the level of communication, the reseacher observed that student-teachers' and pupils' communicative utterances tend to be defective in situations where higher order thinking processes and ideas need to be articulated in the L2. Another important observation was that student-teachers do not adequately use their interlanguage to realise the important pedagogical functions of explaining, elaborating and classifying key concepts and issues that arise in teaching/learning situations. On the basis of these findings, the reseacher proceeded to suggest course guidelines for a Language and Communication Course which he hopes will improve student-teachers communication skills in Zimbabwean ESL classrooms.

No description available.

The main objective of this study has been to model macroeconomic performance of African economies, and therefore, a macro econometric model was constructed to facilitate this exercise. The study has investigated thirteen African countries during the period 1980-97. Based on the growth rate of real GDP and per capita income, and other macroeconomic indicators, Botswana emerges as the African "Tiger Economy", which has pursued sound economic policies. Other good macroeconomic performers are Mauritius and Namibia. The macro econometric model was constructed for four African economies in Southern Africa: Namibia, Botswana, Mauritius, and South Africa. An instrumental variable technique was applied to estimate the model, and the WinSolve (simulation program) was utilised to perform policy simulations. Based on estimated model (1970-96), consumption is not influenced by real interest rates. However, real interest rates are a determinant of investment only in South Africa. The determinant of consumption is real disposable income and the determinant of investment is real domestic income, in all the countries. Exchange rate effects boosted exports in the economy following a pegged exchange rate system (Namibia), and have constrained imports in the economy, which have experienced massive exchange rate depreciation or a weak currency (Mauritius). The existence of speculative money demand is well confirmed in Botswana and South Africa, but not in Namibia and Mauritius. In all countries, real wage rates and the level of income significantly determine employment. In the simulation model, a tax stabilisation rule was enforced, and a quarter of last year's cumulated debt was raised in taxes. When the tax rule is in place, the effects of government spending to stimulate the level of income is less potent than when the tax rule is relaxed. The simulation model was used to perform historical simulations, and the ability of the model to replicate the actual data demonstrates the "goodness of fit" of the model. Hence the model was subjected to shocks, and the potency of economic policies on the economy was assessed. These policies are interest rate, exchange rate devaluation, fiscal policy (government spending and tax cuts), and income policy (wages rise). Based on simulation evidence, interest rate policy was more potent in stimulating economic activities in South Africa than in the remaining economies. Interest rate control in Mauritius and the lack of an independent interest rate policy in Namibia explain why the interest rate policy in these economies is less potent. Exchange rate devaluation improves the trade balance in Namibia and Botswana whilst the trade balance in Mauritius and South Africa deteriorates. The conduct of fiscal policy (rise in government spending or tax cuts) to raise the level of income is more effective in South Africa. While a rise in government spending is less effective in Mauritius, tax cuts are more potent in this economy. Tax cuts policy is relatively less effective than a rise in government spending in Namibia and Botswana. Policy prescriptions are country-specific and the study recommends an implementation of proposed growth policy targets.

Rabies and canine distemper are fatal diseases of mammals and of concern in the Serengeti, Tanzania both for public health and wildlife conservation. This study investigates the epidemiology of these diseases through cross-sectional and longitudinal studies of two domestic dog populations bordering the Serengeti National Park. Chapter 2 demonstrates differences in demographic and behavioural characteristics between the two populations, leading to predictions of distinct patterns of rabies and canine distemper infection, and the requirement for different strategies of disease control. Chapter 3 compares the use of three rabies serological tests for seroepidemiological studies of domestic dogs. Non-specificity precluded use of the indirect ELISA, but a liquid-phase blocking ELISA (BE) and neutralization test (RFFIT) demonstrated rabies seropositivity among unvaccinated Serengeti dogs. The poor agreement between BE and RFFIT in unvaccinated dogs led to an investigation of specificity, which indicated that the BE was the more specific assay. In Chapter 4, incidence data and virus typing suggested that dogs, not wildlife, are the reservoir of rabies in the Serengeti. Case surveillance data indicated that rabies persists in higher- density dog populations, but occurs only sporadically in lower-density dog and wild carnivore populations. Rabies seropositivity occurred in dogs remaining healthy, demonstrating the existence of atypical infections. Mathematical models showed that rabies persistence in Serengeti dogs was more likely if seropositives were infectious carriers, rather than slow-incubators or immune animals. In Chapter 5, analysis of case-morbidity, mortality and age-seroprevalence data indicated that canine distemper was stably endemic in higher-density dog populations, but sporadically epidemic in lower-density dog populations. In conclusion, higher-density dog populations to the west of the Serengeti National Park are the most likely reservoir of both rabies and canine distemper in the Serengeti and disease control strategies should therefore focus on controlling infection in these populations.

The National Convention assembled at Durban on 12th October, 1908, to frame some sort or federation or union. The ideas the delegates took with them to the Convention were necessarily conditioned to a large extent by existing practices in the four colonies whose varying historical backgrounds revealed two approaches to the problem or the delimitation of constituencies, as between the Cape and Natal on the one hand and the Transvaal and the Orange'River Colony on the other.