Medicinal Rule: A Historical Anthropology of Kingship in East and Central Africa

This book makes the argument that across equatorial Africa, the model of rule has been medicine, not the colonizers' despotic administrator, the missionary's divine king, or Vansinas' big man. It is based on ethnography-driven regional comparison and a critical re-examination of classic monographs on forty cultural groups.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 328 pages
Publication date: 17 September 2021
Publisher: Berghahn Books

When Europeans first arrived in Africa, they sought out the counterparts of their own kings, and in their search, they encountered significant misunderstandings that have persisted to this day. This groundbreaking volume, driven by ethnography and a critical re-examination of classic monographs on forty cultural groups, presents a compelling argument that throughout equatorial Africa, the model of rule has been centered around medicine, rather than the oppressive administrators, divine kings, or influential "big men" imposed by the colonizers.

Spanning a vast region inhabited by speakers of Bantu and other languages within the Niger-Congo cluster, both cults and dynastic clans have relied on inherited fertility shrines, rainmaking charms, and drums as key elements of their governance. This study challenges prevailing narratives and sheds light on the complex and diverse ways in which power, authority, and governance have been structured and experienced in this region.

The author's ethnographic-driven approach provides a rich and nuanced understanding of the cultural and historical context in which these practices emerged. By comparing different cultural groups across a wide geographical area, the book offers a fresh perspective on the complexities of power relations and governance in Africa. It challenges the notion that traditional African societies were solely governed by oppressive rulers or religious leaders and highlights the significant role that medicine and other cultural practices have played in shaping political systems and social hierarchies.

This volume is a valuable contribution to the field of African studies, offering insights into the complex and multifaceted nature of power and governance in equatorial Africa. It will be of interest to scholars, researchers, and students alike, as it provides a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural roots of contemporary African societies.

Weight: 468g
Dimension: 151 x 228 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781800732148