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Ntam ‘reminiscential oath’ taboo in Akan

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 June 2004

KOFI AGYEKUM
KOFI AGYEKUM
Affiliation:
Department of Linguistics, University of Ghana, P.O. Box 61, Legon-Accra, Ghana, kofiagyekum@hotmail.com
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Abstract

Ntam ‘reminiscential oath’ among the Akan of Ghana is a commissive form that has statutory force. In it, the oath-taker evokes the memory of historical events that are dangerous and unpleasant to mention. The statutory force of the oath is accomplished by the evocation of these memories in the community which shares them. This article reviews the types of ntam oaths, the contexts for their use, and their structure.

Keywords

Ntam oathAkan verbal tabooface threatcommissives
Type
Research Article
Information
Language in Society , Volume 33 , Issue 3 , July 2004 , pp. 317 - 342
Copyright
© 2004 Cambridge University Press

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