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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | Making History: The Case of a Gola Origin Tale |
Author: | Azevedo, Warren L. d' |
Year: | 2006 |
Periodical: | Liberian Studies Journal |
Volume: | 31 |
Issue: | 1 |
Pages: | 16-28 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | Liberia |
Subjects: | Gola oral history legends Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) History and Exploration |
Abstract: | The author argues that, as with the Gola of western Liberia, 'a history' is both product and source of an individual or group's sustaining identity. The case of a Gola origin tale, constructed long before and reconstructed during recent traumatic events in Liberia - the civil war -, illustrates the manipulative aspect of history. The author presents two versions of Gola legends and pays attention, amongst others, to Gola distinction between what has actually happened and 'meaningful fantasy'. Furthermore, he shows how among Gola, after their traumatic experience of civil war, the urge to reconstruct history seems to be sprouting everywhere. Bibliogr. [ASC Leiden abstract] |