Lela in Bali

Richard Fardon, Professor of West African Anthropology in the University of London, is the author of four monographs on West Africa, as well as numerous works of anthropological theory. Since 1988 he has taught at the School of Oriental and African Studies, where he chaired the University of London’s Centre of African Studies for eight years. In addition to its obvious archival sources, this book draws upon ethnographic research he began in Nigeria (from 1976) and in Cameroon (from 1984). Richard Fardon has been editor of the journal AFRICA since 2001.

“…this specialist-oriented volume is a rich contribution to the literature on this region. Notably it seems directed as much toward the ongoing historiographical conversation in Bali itself as it is toward external scholars.” ”  ·  JASO Online“…constitutes an outstanding contribution in the study of history outside the traditional perspective of recourse to narrative sources (whether these be oral or written).”  ·  African Affairs“This amazing book…represents a model for scholars seeking to blend the tools of history writing and political/ cultural anthropology; its value is applicable not only in Cameroon, but elsewhere.”  ·  International Journal for African Historical Studies“With the suspense of a detective novel, [this slim, richly detailed volume] proceeds in a series of comparisons…This charming book is an exacting exercise in comparison and historical reconstruction.”  ·  Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies“…an important contribution – not only to the local history of the Grasslands of Cameroon. It offers a better understanding of processes of transformation of rituals and asks important methodological questions, which should be of interest to anybody dealing with the history of early photography in Africa and visual anthropology. As to be expected from the “Cameroon Studies” series the volume is rounded up by a comprehensive bibliography and a very useful index."  ·  Anthropos“As in his previous works, Fardon does not make it easy for his readers to labour through his dense writing. However, it is absolutely worthwhile. This unconventional book contains a wealth of insights with far-reaching methodological consequences. It demonstrates how to recover history without even for a moment losing sight of the constructivity of the knowledge produced.”  ·  Journal of African History

• Map and FiguresPrefaceAcknowledgementsChapter 1. Lela: Past Present, Present PastLela in the Early Post-Colony BaliNyonga: A Thumbnail HistoryChapter 2. Lela in 1908: The Photographic RecordLela and Voma in BaliThe Ethnologist and the MissionariesAnkermann and the MissionariesPhotographed: The Second PhotographerThe Texts and the PhotographsAn Inventory of the Photographic Record of the 1908 LelaConclusionChapter 3. Lela: The Texts, 1890s to 1960sThe Missionaries’ Version 1903 to 1913The Ethnologist’s Version 1907 to 1908The Soldier’s and Trader’s Versions 1889 to 1906Interlude: The Bali Axis UnravelsThe Anthropologist and the Historian: A 1960s VersionChapter 4. Lela: Incorporation, Ascendancy and the Means of ViolenceThe Ba’ni before the Germans The Apogee of Germano–Bali Majesty: The 1905 ParamountcyChapter 5. Lela in the Grassfields and the ‘Graffi’ in Lela: Or, More is MoreThe Importance of OriginsMore is MoreLela Adopted in the GrassfieldsLela and Voma in the Bali kingdomsChapter 6. Lela Precedents: Beyond and Before the Grassfields‘Spear Washing’ in the Benue ChambaChiefdoms: Flags, Gowns and HorsesAdamawan Elements in Lela: Death, Killing and CommemorationChapter 7. Fast forward: From Adamawa to Late Post-Colonial Cameroon ReferencesPublished ReferencesUnpublished References