Talvez demasiado complexa, caminho tortuoso para a compreensão das sociedades ameríndias, a questão do político parece receber pouca atenção por parte dos americanistas. Diante deste relativo e peculiar abandono, esta pesquisa visa fornecer estímulos e subsídios para a retomada das reflexões a respeito. Mais precisamente, alvitro sopesar o silêncio identificado e localizar o objeto a política tal como emerge num panorama duplamente restrito: à etnologia jê, dedicada a uma conjunção antropológica homônima de grupos indígenas, e ao período que, segundo os próprios jê-ólogos (cf. Coelho de Souza 2002), circunscreveria o processo de instituição de sua subdisciplina enquanto domínio científico relativamente autônomo, limitado, de um lado, pelo momento em que a etnologia forma, nomeia e individualiza os Jê no início do século XX , e, de outro, pelos esforços pioneiros de Curt Nimuendajú e pelo empreendimento sintético em que consistiu o Handbook of South American Indians (cf. Steward 1949). Espécie de Arqueologia (cf. Clastres 1980), o presente trabalho rechaça a pretensão de reagir à raridade com que o objeto a política jê encontra-se devidamente formalizado como uma espécie de pobreza enunciativa a compensar, e impõe-se o dever de tratar a variedade dos sentidos que lhe são imputados e a heterogeneidade de suas proveniências não como obstáculos no caminho de uma síntese qualquer, mas, justamente, como aquilo a descrever e a analisar. / Perhaps a rather slippery path to the understanding of Amerindian societies, perhaps an avoidable complexity, politics is a subject usually met with silence by americanists. Given its relative and peculiar abandonment, this research aims to supply incentives and materials for forthcoming reflections. More precisely, I try to locate and reconstruct the object politics along a double-restricted panorama: to Gê Ethnology committed to a homonymous anthropological conjunction of indigenous groups; and to the period which, according to my fellow gê-ologists (cf. Coelho de Souza 2002), encompasses the sub-disciplines establishment as relatively autonomous scientific niche, limited, on one side, by the ethnological forming, naming and individualization of the Gê in the early twentieth century , and, on the other, by Curt Nimuendajús pioneer efforts and by Julien Stewards synthetic enterprise, i.e., the Handbook of South American Indians (1949) later on the course of that same century. Some kind of Archeology (cf. Clastres 1980), this work repels the pretense of regarding the objects Gê politics lack of formal definitions as enunciative deficiencies to compensate for, and undertakes the incumbency of treating its polysemic fleeting substance(s) not as obstacles impeding any sort of synthesis, but as the very stuff of its descriptions and analyses.

Thesis (M.A. (African languages)) --University of Limpopo, 2009 / The purpose of this study is to investigate the issue of bestowing honour to royalty in the Mphaphuli dynasty.The investigation focuses on the origin of the Mphaphuli dynasty. The Chieftainship has been traced right from the beginning when they arrived in South Africa until the current era. According to sources that have been consulted, the chief’s subjects used to respect him/her. Instructions given by the chief used to be carried out in a more positive way than it is in the present era. The socio-economic activities are also covered in the study. It has been shown that chiefs in the Mphaphuli dynasty are no longer getting what they are entitled to. Many subjects no longer find it necessary to participate in traditional activities such as Tshikona and Domba. The money that is supposed to be given to the chief no longer goes to him as it used to be due to modern social and political factors. The study also focuses on the impact of politicians on the status of the Mphaphuli dynasty. The democratic era has brought many changes when it comes to the aspect of the chief’’s authority. The functions of the chief are not clearly defined in the Constitution. By the look of things, some of the chief’s functions have been stripped off. For instance, the Thulamela Municipality has the right to give people residential sites. The chief is not consulted when this is being done. Money collected from buyers of sites goes to the Municipality. Civic associations on the other hand are always at loggerheads with chiefs. The chief’s subjects are sometimes encouraged to defy his commands.The study highlights critical challenges chiefs in the Mphaphili dynasty are facing. It reveals the fact that subjects are confused as to who has the final authority, the chief or the municipality? Things will run smoothly in the dynasty when the chief’s roles are well spelt out in the Constitution

Talvez demasiado complexa, caminho tortuoso para a compreensão das sociedades ameríndias, a questão do político parece receber pouca atenção por parte dos americanistas. Diante deste relativo e peculiar abandono, esta pesquisa visa fornecer estímulos e subsídios para a retomada das reflexões a respeito. Mais precisamente, alvitro sopesar o silêncio identificado e localizar o objeto a política tal como emerge num panorama duplamente restrito: à etnologia jê, dedicada a uma conjunção antropológica homônima de grupos indígenas, e ao período que, segundo os próprios jê-ólogos (cf. Coelho de Souza 2002), circunscreveria o processo de instituição de sua subdisciplina enquanto domínio científico relativamente autônomo, limitado, de um lado, pelo momento em que a etnologia forma, nomeia e individualiza os Jê no início do século XX , e, de outro, pelos esforços pioneiros de Curt Nimuendajú e pelo empreendimento sintético em que consistiu o Handbook of South American Indians (cf. Steward 1949). Espécie de Arqueologia (cf. Clastres 1980), o presente trabalho rechaça a pretensão de reagir à raridade com que o objeto a política jê encontra-se devidamente formalizado como uma espécie de pobreza enunciativa a compensar, e impõe-se o dever de tratar a variedade dos sentidos que lhe são imputados e a heterogeneidade de suas proveniências não como obstáculos no caminho de uma síntese qualquer, mas, justamente, como aquilo a descrever e a analisar. / Perhaps a rather slippery path to the understanding of Amerindian societies, perhaps an avoidable complexity, politics is a subject usually met with silence by americanists. Given its relative and peculiar abandonment, this research aims to supply incentives and materials for forthcoming reflections. More precisely, I try to locate and reconstruct the object politics along a double-restricted panorama: to Gê Ethnology committed to a homonymous anthropological conjunction of indigenous groups; and to the period which, according to my fellow gê-ologists (cf. Coelho de Souza 2002), encompasses the sub-disciplines establishment as relatively autonomous scientific niche, limited, on one side, by the ethnological forming, naming and individualization of the Gê in the early twentieth century , and, on the other, by Curt Nimuendajús pioneer efforts and by Julien Stewards synthetic enterprise, i.e., the Handbook of South American Indians (1949) later on the course of that same century. Some kind of Archeology (cf. Clastres 1980), this work repels the pretense of regarding the objects Gê politics lack of formal definitions as enunciative deficiencies to compensate for, and undertakes the incumbency of treating its polysemic fleeting substance(s) not as obstacles impeding any sort of synthesis, but as the very stuff of its descriptions and analyses.

During the 1990s, most African countries experienced what has been termed their ‘second independence’ (cf. Bratton and Hyden 1992), a period of political upheaval and transformation leading to the introduction of democratic rule. In many countries including South Africa and Cameroon, the process triggered fresh debates about the status and role of chiefs. The popular assumption in ‘struggle circles’ such as the African National Congress (ANC) was that chiefs would be relegated to the background in the democratic era, thus giving room to people’s power and new forms of accountability. But the reality was that the introduction of democracy created a situation whereby many rural people felt excluded economically from the boundless promises of the new dispensation. This dissatisfaction among rural people brought into question the legitimacy of some structures such as the local government even though the ruling ANC continued to enjoy much support among the masses. This in turn provided an enabling environment in which some, but not all, chiefs could make new claims for legitimacy. This is because some chiefs remain discredited by their past association with apartheid authorities. Chief Tshivhase is one of the few chiefs who has successfully associated himself with the ANC both at the national and provincial levels. This has given him space to act decisively in certain ways on behalf of the poor at the local level, thereby winning credibility among rural people. Thus, his credibility is two-fold – with the national politicians, because he is one of them, and with the people of the chiefdom. Chief Tshivhase’s ability to renegotiate his status and gain new legitimacy as chief is a particular example of how the game of neo-liberal democracy is played out in post-apartheid South Africa. In the chiefdom of Bali Nyonga in Cameroon, Chief Ganyonga’s career looks rather similar to Tshivhase’s in so far as he too has risen to national prominence in the ruling party in Cameroon, the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) in the era of democracy. But Cameroon’s democratic transition was contradictory in the sense that it introduced the form of democracy but not its substance, leaving the ruling party the ability to manipulate and suppress the opposition and civil society. It was against this background that Ganyonga’s prominence in the CPDM contributed to undermining his legitimacy in the eyes of his subjects because they believed that his prominence in the party left them without any shield from the predation and manipulation of the state. Ganyonga was seen to be in ‘illicit cohabitation’ with a self-serving ruling party, at a time when his subjects wanted to use their newfound rights as citizens to vote the opposition into office. But Ganyonga’s involvement in the politics of the so-called ‘Anglophone problem’ helped to legitimise his participation in modern politics as a chief. Against this background, this thesis examines why both chiefs used their positions as a springboard into national politics? It also establishes the kinds of legitimacy claimed by these chiefs and to what extent the masses are persuaded by such claims and how the chiefs’ involvement in national politics has affected the relationship between them and their subjects. This thesis therefore makes a case for the importance of comparative research on chiefs in the era of democracy and the predicaments they face therein. The thesis argues that contrary to exhortations about the incompatibility of chiefs and democracy, the reality is that political transition in both countries produced contradictions which created space for chiefs to fill but on condition that they were able to draw from different kinds of legitimacy and had not been discredited by their past or present involvement with the postcolonial state. / Dissertation (MA (Social Science))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Anthropology and Archaeology / unrestricted

The theme of politics has been popular among authors of African language literary works in the past years. In Setswana literature authors often explore this theme in dramas. Among those scholars who have discussed political themes in Setswana dramas are K.Mogapi (1985) and J.S.Shole (1988). The aim of this dissertation is to analyze politics in Setswana dramatic works. This mini-dissertation uses three concepts, namely defininition, interpretation and classification in its analysis of Setswana dramas. Furthermore, this dissertation has selected an adapted narratological model, which stresses topic as highly significant in understanding the content level of a text, as it links the events of the content coherently. This model also highlights theme as the most important aspect of the compositional level, as it links the events of the plot. The adapted narratological models also emphasises atmosphere when discussing style. These three levels are important when discussing politics in Setswana drama. Because this research investigates political drama, a few concepts such as politics and society, politics and democracy, and politics and literature are explained. The main aim of this dissertation is to analyze politics in Setswana dramatic works. This mini-dissertation discusses the theme of politics in Setswana drama according to three selected periods, namely (a) the period 1930-1993, which is represented by the drama MotswaseleII (1945) by L.D.Raditladi, (b) the period 1994-1995, which is represented by the drama Kaine le Abele (1995) by G.Mokae and (c) the period 1996-2002, which is represented by the drama Diterama tsa ga Zakes Mda (2002) translated into Setswana by P.M.Sebate. The results of the investigation can be summarized as follows: During the period 1930-1993, authors tend to write about traditional politics, that is, chieftainship, which is passed on by birthright. In his drama MotswaseleII, Raditladi uses a number of techniques in the development of his message of looking down upon traditional governance or leadership. During the period 1994-1995, which is represented by the drama Kaine le Abele, Setswana drama deals with modern or contemporary politics, and tends to show or depict the cruelty of the then apartheid South African government. While examining the period 1996-2002, which is represented by a collection of dramas by Mda, three short dramas were selected. In the drama ‘Re tla opelela lefatshe la borrarona’, prominent techniques are rhetoric question, motif, flashback and contrast. At the plot level of the drama ‘Mantswe a lefifi a a lela’, Mda deployed several prominent techniques to further the development of the theme of politics in his text, but this dissertation has selected only two main techniques, which are tragedy and ellision. In the drama ‘Tsela’, the author has used a number of techniques, but this dissertation has selected two pronounced techniques, which are complication of events and symbolism. Lastly, the findings of this research demonstrate the usefulness of the classification of Setswana political dramas, written up to now, according to three periods, namely (a) the period 1930-1993, (b) the period 1994-1995, and (c) the period 1996-2002. / Dissertation (MA (African Languages))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / African Languages / unrestricted

Text in English / The Batau of Kgaphola are of Swazi origin and migrated to Sekhukhuneland Limpopo Province in South Africa. The community has been involved in chieftainship disputes which date back to 1954 after the death of Chief Lobang III. Within the broader national political framework and execution of policies, the community became divided between the Makhuduthamaga and the Rangers. The Makhuduthamaga were anti-government and the Rangers pro-government. Each of the two groups gained the support of community members. The failure of the royal family to agree on who should lead the community after the death of Chief Lobang III led to a division from within. The former Lebowa government and the current Limpopo government intervened into the Batau chieftainship disputes without success. Commissions such as the Lekoloane, Ralushai and Nhlapo were established to deal with chieftainship disputes but this did not assist communities including the Batau of Kgaphola. The Kgatla Commission was also established and communities are still appearing before it and the Batau are still waiting to present their case. The study explores how the Batau of Mphanama dealt with their differences relating to chieftainship within the community and this instituted external intervention. It also uncovers how disputes within the royal family have affected members of the community and led to divisions. In the final instance the effect of decades of external political intervention and governance is evaluated. / Anthropology and Archaeology / M.A. (Anthropology)

Text in German, summaries in English and German / This dissertation is a missiological research on reports of first and second generation missionaries from the Hermannsburg mission society in Germany. The missionaries worked for their lifetime among the Batswana. An important point in the first chapter is the attempt to clarify the theological foundation for the understandung of inculturation, from which my conception later arose. The second chapter deals with the founders of the Hermannsburg missionary society and describes the spiritual background of the missionaries. The following three chapters cover the work of the missionaries, in each case father and son at Dinokana, Bethanie and Phokeng chronologically from 1857 - 1940. Special attention is given to their socio-cultural expierences and traditional-religious knowledge. The last chapter evaluates the work of the missionaries and takes into account the present missiological debate on mission. Here again it becomes clear what I mean by Inculturation. / Die vorliegende Arbeit ist eine missionsgeschichtliche und -theologische Untersuchung uber die ersten beiden Generationen Hermannsburger Missionare unter den Batswana in Transvaal. Im ersten Kapitel stelle ich verschiedene Konzepte zum Verstandnis von lnkulturation vor, aus denen ich Anstosse fur meine eigene Konzeption gewonnen habe. Das zweite Kapitel beschreibt die spirituelle Herkunft der Missionare und ihre theologische Pragung. In den folgenden drei Kapiteln untersuche ich die Arbeit der Missionare, jeweils Vater und Sohn, auf ihren Stationen Dinokana, Bethanie und Phokeng von 1857 - 1940 in chronologischer Reihenfolge. Ein besonderer Schwerpunkt liegt dabei auf den sozio-kulturellen Erfahrungen und traditionell-religiosen Erkenntnissen dieser Missionare. Das letzte Kapitel enthalt eine Bewertung der Missionsarbeit und beleuchtet sie auf den Hintergrund der gegenwartigen missionstheologischen Diskussion. Besonder in diesem Kapitel wird noch einmal deutlich wie ich Inkulturation verstanden habe. / Missiology / D.Th. (Missiology)

Text in German, summaries in English and German / This dissertation is a missiological research on reports of first and second generation missionaries from the Hermannsburg mission society in Germany. The missionaries worked for their lifetime among the Batswana. An important point in the first chapter is the attempt to clarify the theological foundation for the understandung of inculturation, from which my conception later arose. The second chapter deals with the founders of the Hermannsburg missionary society and describes the spiritual background of the missionaries. The following three chapters cover the work of the missionaries, in each case father and son at Dinokana, Bethanie and Phokeng chronologically from 1857 - 1940. Special attention is given to their socio-cultural expierences and traditional-religious knowledge. The last chapter evaluates the work of the missionaries and takes into account the present missiological debate on mission. Here again it becomes clear what I mean by Inculturation. / Die vorliegende Arbeit ist eine missionsgeschichtliche und -theologische Untersuchung uber die ersten beiden Generationen Hermannsburger Missionare unter den Batswana in Transvaal. Im ersten Kapitel stelle ich verschiedene Konzepte zum Verstandnis von lnkulturation vor, aus denen ich Anstosse fur meine eigene Konzeption gewonnen habe. Das zweite Kapitel beschreibt die spirituelle Herkunft der Missionare und ihre theologische Pragung. In den folgenden drei Kapiteln untersuche ich die Arbeit der Missionare, jeweils Vater und Sohn, auf ihren Stationen Dinokana, Bethanie und Phokeng von 1857 - 1940 in chronologischer Reihenfolge. Ein besonderer Schwerpunkt liegt dabei auf den sozio-kulturellen Erfahrungen und traditionell-religiosen Erkenntnissen dieser Missionare. Das letzte Kapitel enthalt eine Bewertung der Missionsarbeit und beleuchtet sie auf den Hintergrund der gegenwartigen missionstheologischen Diskussion. Besonder in diesem Kapitel wird noch einmal deutlich wie ich Inkulturation verstanden habe. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D.Th. (Missiology)