Early Rwanda History: The Contribution of Comparative Ethnography

摘要: The most important development in African historiography since 1970 is almost surely the growing awareness that oral tradition alone insufficient as a source for reconstructing past beyond about 1750. Henceforth historians will be increasingly obliged to turn other bodies of data, at least if they wish avoid writing history which, Bradbury's words, no more than “the rationalization myth.” Despite pleas by, among others, Bradbury, Vansina, and Lewis long ago decade or more, have thus far shown little sign incorporating ethnographic data into then-catalog sources, comparative ethnography their methodological tool-kit. One reason this reluctance (at English language Africanists our generation) may vague acquaintance with serious abuses which European Africanists— especially those associated Vienna ‘culture-historical school’—committed by stretching fit grand, but spurious, global schemes human evolution. Clearly, though, earlier way justify refusing now exploit body we badly need, provided examine it appropriate care modesty. We must admit outset comparisons historical purposes on continental scale impossible until good many regional studies are available. In turn, such normally limited selected aspects related culture, not cultures holistic units. This means points articulation between well difficult identify.