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Book chapter | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | Restricted literacy in Northern Ghana |
Author: | Goody, J. |
Book title: | Literacy in traditional societies |
Year: | 1968 |
Pages: | 198-264 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | Ghana |
Subjects: | reading traditions Islam education |
Abstract: | Describes the impact of writing on non-literate and partially literate states of LoDagaa and Gonja. After assessing that nearly in the whole area, societies have been influenced by techniques and products of alphabetic literacy, the author describes the effects of literate techniques on the social systems of the area, which have lain mainly in the magico-religious field. Besides, literacy has contributed to a consolidation of bonds between traders of different groups, and has promoted political contacts between Gonja chiefs and Muslims. Literacy however was restricted in its diffusion as well as in its content because of its exclusive religious character. Learning to read implied studying the Holy Book, written in the foreign language of Arabic. Besides, there was the tendency to regard books as magical and secret, which has nullified the main function of writing, namely that of communication. Notes, index. |