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Rivals No More: Jan Vansina, Precolonial African Historiography, and Archaeology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 June 2018

Peter Robertshaw
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Abstract:

This tribute to Jan Vansina explores the role of archaeology in the investigation of early African history, arguing for more work on the relationship between politics and the practice of ritual. The well-trodden topic of migrations of Bantu-speakers is revisited to examine the potential of genetics and archaeology to contribute to their investigation. Vansina often claimed to be a positivist and empiricist but there are contradictions in his writings that are tied to his changing vision of the purpose of precolonial African historiography. His view that African history must be meaningful to Africans resonates with recent developments in African archaeology.

Résumé:

Cet hommage à Jan Vansina explore le rôle de l’archéologie dans l’étude de l’histoire ancienne de l’Afrique et plaide pour plus de recherche sur la relation entre politique et pratique du rituel. Cet article revisite le sujet bien connu des migrations des locuteurs bantous en analysant le potentiel scientifique de la génétique et de l’archéologie. Vansina prétendait souvent être positiviste et empiriste, mais ses écrits contiennent des contradictions qui sont liées à sa vision changeante de l’objectif de l’historiographie africaine précoloniale. Pour lui, l’histoire de l’Afrique devait revêtir un sens pour les Africains aujourd’hui ; en cela, cette préoccupation reflète les développements récents de l’archéologie africaine.

Type
Jan Vansina Remembered
Information
History in Africa , Volume 45 , June 2018 , pp. 145 - 160
Copyright
Copyright © African Studies Association 2018 

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