Modern Studies in African Society

The optimism that characterised much of the editing and publication of this book can now, with the benefit of hindsight, be understood as a reflection of what it means to contribute to scholarly discourse on Africa. Yet, the fact that, over the years, the study of African societies has not gained significant ground continues to raise the question of why so little progress has been made. In more recent times, it appears that many scholars have devoted their research to areas beyond Africa, which they perceive as more appealing or offering greater aca demic visibility.

A review of recent publications on Africa was advanced in our effort to map the field and identify what conversations were taking place. Among the more popular texts, we found that many of the most prominent themes remain framed largely through the conceptual lenses of colonial anthropology and post independence developmentalism. These works have contributed to theoretical approaches that, in our view, do not adequately incorporate ideas that are dis tinctly African or reflective of the realities and aspirations of modern Africa. Our view is that the field has not yet shifted steadily towards more critical, reflexive, and pluralistic approaches. And we believe that contemporary scholar ship on Africa should be developed under a banner that highlights the diversity and resilience of African societies, particularly as these qualities offer opportunities to confront key challenges. In many respects, the present volume is a product of such reflections. We have curated the chapters so that the reader may discern within them the vitality and interdisciplinarity that characterise contemporary African studies.