Sample ethnographic introductions

Click here to retrieve "Ethnographies.pdf" (sample ethnographic introductions)

Read these introductions to African musical ethnography selectively...observing and comparing:

• research aims
• theory, presuppositions, prejudices, "where the author's coming from"
• author's position and angle in the field, experience, relation to music and performance
• field methods
• writing style, apparent audience, self-presentation
• organization (table of contents)
• historical period (intellectual climate, development of ethnomusicology...)

Introductions are taken from the following works:

1. Friedson, Steven: Dancing Prophets, 1996 [1] (and an accompanying film)
2. Berliner, Paul: The Soul of Mbira, 1978 [2] (you may like to hear the accompanying album: [3]
3. Chernoff, John: African Rhythm and African Sensibility, 1979 [4] (he also co-produced this film)
4. Kisliuk, Michelle: Seize the Dance!, 1998 [5]
5. Besmer, Fremont: Horses, Musicians & Gods, 1983
6. Keil, Charles: Tiv Song, 1979