Sample ethnographic introductions
Read these introductions to African musical ethnography selectively...observing:
- field method
- theory, presuppositions, prejudices, "where the author's coming from"
- research aims
- author's position and angle in the field
- writing style, apparent audience
- organization (table of contents)
- historical period (intellectual climate, development of ethnomusicology...)
Introductions are taken from the following works:
1. Friedson, Steven: Dancing Prophets, 1996
2. Berliner, Paul: The Soul of Mbira, 1978
3. Chernoff, John: African Rhythm and African Sensibility, 1979
4. Kisliuk, Michelle: Seize the Dance!, 1998
5. Besmer, Fremont: Horses, Musicians & Gods, 1983
6. Keil, Charles: Tiv Song, 1979