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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Who Worships Whom: Agnates and Ancestors among Nguni
Author:Hammond-Tooke, W.D.ISNI
Year:1985
Periodical:African Studies
Volume:44
Issue:1
Pages:47-64
Language:English
Geographic term:South Africa
Subjects:ancestor worship
Nguni
kinship
Religion and Witchcraft
Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups)
External link:https://doi.org/10.1080/00020188508707632
Abstract:Despite the fairly extensive literature on ancestor religion in southern Africa there is still lack of clarity as to who exactly are worshipped in the rituals. Aim of this paper is to attain conceptual clarity on this matter for one group, the Nguni, who in many ways present the strongest example of the patrilineal emphasis of any of the South African indigenous peoples. It addresses itself to two problems. The first is to establish the exact nature of the influence of the agnatic principle on the conceptualization by Nguni of their 'objects of worship', the ancestors, and, as such, involves a relook at the descent group structure of their societies. The second considers the implications of the fact that the focus of the ritual narrows down to the individual, and involves the intervention of ancestors who are not necessarily drawn from the agnatic category of kin. Bibliogr., notes.
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