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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Kirki: a core value of Hausa culture
Authors:Salamone, Frank A.ISNI
Salamone, Virginia A.ISNI
Year:1993
Periodical:Africa: rivista trimestrale di studi e documentazione
Volume:48
Issue:3
Pages:359-381
Language:English
Geographic terms:Nigeria
Northern Nigeria
Subjects:African identity
values
Hausa
External link:https://www.jstor.org/stable/40760805
Abstract:This article begins by questioning the universality of Erik H. Erikson's scheme of development. Additionally, the authors note Carol Ginnigan's concern with sex bias in development schemes, notably Lawrence Kohlberg's levels and stages of moral development. In order to address these issues, the authors choose a thematic concept in Hausa ethos, that of 'kirki'. Each culture provides a concept around which people can shape and judge their identities, and for the Hausa of northern Nigeria 'kirki' is that concept. The authors examine the meaning and application of the concept across the life span and by males and females. They also examine Erikson's assertion that true development requires an increasing emergence of ego or self-identity. They maintain that unless ego development is understood empirically it is a meaningless generality. For the Hausa, ego development involves increasing ties of relationship, multiplying bonds rather than moving toward independence. Moreover, Erikson's eight stages do not fit the realities of Hausa society. The Hausa data also suggest that female cognitive moral development parallels but is different from male development. The authors conclude that Western theories of development require significant modifications before application to indigenous cases is possible or profitable. Bibliogr., notes, sum. in French and Italian.
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