가나 추장제의 구조 및 미시적 정치 과정 : 볼타 州 바제메의 사례
The Structure and Micro-Political Process of Chieftaincy in Ghana: A Case Study of Gbadzeme, Volta Region
0
조회
0
다운로드
0
인용
0
참고문헌
키워드
초록
The current paper aims to examine the structure and micro-political process of chieftaincy in Gbadzeme, Volta Region, Ghana. This kind of study will be very helpful for understanding both traditionality and dynamics of rural communities in Ghana as well. The eight clans in Gbadzeme have their respective chieftaincies which form the base of town chieftaincy. Over the last several centuries, chieftaincy in Gbadzeme has existed without any great transformations, despite changing internal and external circumstances. This implies that chieftaincy has considerably been helpful for solving their diverse needs as well as its justification has been granted by local people. On the other hand, town chief is the head of the chiefs’ council which is composed of the representatives of the eight clans. He is the final decision-maker within the council where all-sort of matters of the town are discussed. His decisions are almost absolute. The representatives of the dominant clan, which produces town chief, also exert great power within the council. The dynamic relations among the clans are often found in the decision-making process of the council. In addition, this council is used as a device necessary for taming some clans challenging to town chief and the dominant clan. Such a series of aspects can be also regarded as a facet of the micro-political process which is expressed by chieftaincy. It is said that, just like many other African countries, chieftaincy in Ghana has confronted with diverse challenges since its independence. Nonetheless, it is still powerful as well as standing. In my view, as long as the central government does not properly dominate local areas, chieftaincy functions as an effective means to solve diverse needs of local people, and Ghanaian people regard it as their cultural property or heritage, it will tenaciously survive. Moreover, there is no doubt that chieftaincy is one of the most essential elements both in understanding traditionality and dynamics of rural communities in Ghana and in grasping cultural forces or cultural inertia of Ghanaian people.
Abstract
The current paper aims to examine the structure and micro-political process of chieftaincy in Gbadzeme, Volta Region, Ghana. This kind of study will be very helpful for understanding both traditionality and dynamics of rural communities in Ghana as well. The eight clans in Gbadzeme have their respective chieftaincies which form the base of town chieftaincy. Over the last several centuries, chieftaincy in Gbadzeme has existed without any great transformations, despite changing internal and external circumstances. This implies that chieftaincy has considerably been helpful for solving their diverse needs as well as its justification has been granted by local people. On the other hand, town chief is the head of the chiefs’ council which is composed of the representatives of the eight clans. He is the final decision-maker within the council where all-sort of matters of the town are discussed. His decisions are almost absolute. The representatives of the dominant clan, which produces town chief, also exert great power within the council. The dynamic relations among the clans are often found in the decision-making process of the council. In addition, this council is used as a device necessary for taming some clans challenging to town chief and the dominant clan. Such a series of aspects can be also regarded as a facet of the micro-political process which is expressed by chieftaincy. It is said that, just like many other African countries, chieftaincy in Ghana has confronted with diverse challenges since its independence. Nonetheless, it is still powerful as well as standing. In my view, as long as the central government does not properly dominate local areas, chieftaincy functions as an effective means to solve diverse needs of local people, and Ghanaian people regard it as their cultural property or heritage, it will tenaciously survive. Moreover, there is no doubt that chieftaincy is one of the most essential elements both in understanding traditionality and dynamics of rural communities in Ghana and in grasping cultural forces or cultural inertia of Ghanaian people.
참고문헌 (21)
- Adjaye, J. K., "Chieftaincy at the Confluence of Tradition and Modernity: Transforming African Rulership in Ghana and Nigeria", International Third World Studies Journal and Review, 17, pp.1~10 (2006)
- Asamoah, Kwame, "A Qualitative Study of Chieftaincy and Local Government in Ghana", Journal of African Studies and Development, 4(3), pp.90~95 (2012)
- Brydon, Lynne, "Status Ambiguity in Amedzofe-Avatime Women and Men in a Changing Patrilineal Society", 박사, pp.1976
- Brydon, Lynne, "Women at Work: Some Changes in Family Structure in Amedzofe-Avatime, Ghana", Africa, 49(2), pp.97~111 (1979)
- Brydon, Lynne, "Rice, Yams and Chiefs in Avatime: Speculations on the Development of a Social Order", Africa, 51(2), pp.659~677 (1981)
- Brydon, Lynne, "Women Chiefs and Power in the Volta Region of Ghana", Journal of Legal Pluralism and Unofficial Law, 37-38, pp.227~247 (1996)
- Knierzinger, J., "The Chiefs of Development: Local Development and Local Government in Ghana", pp.2009
- Chieftaincy and Development in Ghana: From Political Intermediaries to Neotraditional Development Brokers, "Knierzinger, J.", Department of Anthropology and African Studies, Johannes Gutenberg University, ~, pp.Working Paper No. 124 (2011)
- Odotei, Irene K., "Chieftaincy in Ghana: Culture, Governance and Development" (2006), Sub-Saharan Publishers
- Prah, M., "Tuobodom Chieftaincy Conflict in Ghana: A Review and Analysis of Media Reports", The Journal of Pan African Studies, 4(3), pp.20~33 (2011)
- Ray, D. I., "Chiefs as Development Agents: Ghanaian Pilot Study, In Reinventing African Chieftaincy in the Age of AIDS, Gender, Governance and Development", pp.35~59 (2011), University of Calgary Press
- Senah, Kodjo, "We Are the People: Ghanaian Chiefs and the Politics of Contestation", A paper presented at the symposium on the Politics of Heritage (2011)
- 설병수, "The Historicity and Dynamics of Chieftaincy in Ghana", 한국아프리카 학회지, 34(1), pp.213~243 (2011), 한국아프리카학회
- 설병수, "Land Tenure and Transaction Practices in Ghana : A Case Study of the Ejisu-Juaben Municipal Area", 아프리카 연구, 31(1), pp.57~96 (2012), 아프리카연구소
- Sharma, Keshav C., "Mechanisms for involvement of traditional leaders in the promotion of good governance", Symposium on traditional leadership and local government, pp.44~48 (1997)
- He Who Sets the Boundary: Chieftaincy as a“Necessary” Institution in Modern Ghana, "Valsecchi, P.", Department ofCommunication, University of Teramo, ~, pp.Working Paper No. 3 (2007)
- van Rouveroy van Nieuwaal, E. A. B., "Chiefs and African States: Some Introductory Notes and an Extensive Bibliography on African Chieftaincy", Journal of Legal Pluralism, 25 & 26, pp.1~42 (1987)
- van Rouveroy van Nieuwaal, E. A. B., "States and Chiefs: Are Chiefs Mere Puppets?", Journal of Legal Pluralism and Unofficial Law, 37-38, pp.39~78 (1996)
- van Rouveroy van Nieuwaal, E. A. B., "West African Chieftaincy or How I Became Mr. Chiefs with Reference to Some Documentary Films", Presentation at the SEF International Symposium (2005)
- "Avatime Community Homepage"[URL]
- "Ho Municipal Homepage"[URL]