Facing Two Ways - Ghana's Coastal Communities Under Colonial Rule

Facing Two Ways explores the interaction between European and African cultures within the setting of Ghana's main coastal communities. Roger S. Gocking focuses on the emergence of a distinctive ethno-cultural constellation that arose from the interaction between African and European cultures and between African cultures in the heterogeneous social setting of the coast. He recognizes nationalism as the most visible, but not necessarily the most important feature of life in coastal Africa from the late nineteenth century through the 1940's. Instead, Gocking emphasizes local initiatives in shaping African reactions to the colonial situation, including the policies of the mission churches, the operation of the judicial system, political life, and the institution of the family. He also discusses the escalation of cross fertilization of African cultures, known as the "Akanization" of the Southern Ghana area indirectly caused by colonialism.

List of contents

chapter 1 Coastal Society: An Introduction chapter 2 The Making of Coastal Society chapter 3 Marriage and Inheritance chapter 4 Indirect Rule Versus Municipal Government chapter 5 Competition for Traditional Office chapter 6 Linking Two Political Cultures chapter 7 Linking Different Judicial Traditions chapter 8 Linking Different Legal Systems chapter 9 Conclusion chapter 10 Glossary chapter 11 Selected Bibliography chapter 12 Index

About the author

Roger S. Gocking is Associate Professor and Chairman of the Third World Studies Committee in the Department of Civic and Cultural Studies at Mercy College.

Product details

• Authors: Roger S. Gocking
• Publisher: Ingram Publishers Services
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 13.05.1999
• EAN: 9780761813545
• ISBN: 978-0-7618-1354-5
• Dimensions: 161 mm x 239 mm x 23 mm
• Weight: 574 g
• Subjects: Social sciences, law, business > Ethnology > Folklore; Ghana, Cultural Studies, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Minority Studies, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Regional Studies, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Anthropology / Cultural & Social, Regional Studies, Ethnic groups and multicultural studies, Regional / International studies, Ethnic minorities & multicultural studies, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Biracial & Multiracial Studies, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Cultural & Ethnic Studies / African Studies