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Generation-sets: stability and change, with special reference to Toposa and Turkana societies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 February 2009

Harald K. Müller-Dempf
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Extract

Generation- and age-set systems are found in many parts of the world. They are of particular importance in Africa, and especially in East Africa where some ethnic groups operate socio-political and cultural systems in which generation-sets play a dominant role. Ethnographic descriptions of generation-set systems abound, but their theoretical understanding seems still to be inadequate. With examples from the Toposa and Turkana, this paper aims to contribute to the theory of generation-set systems. Moreover, the processes described and the ideas expressed may also contribute to the general theory of socio-political and cultural systems.

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Articles
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Bulletin of SOAS , Volume 54 , Issue 3 , October 1991 , pp. 554 - 567
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Copyright © School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London 1991

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