Ways of Knowing, Forms of Power

Abstract

This article calls for attention to be given to differing cultural forms of learning, especially to how people claim to learn, and what it is they claim to learn. The analysis highlights the value of participation and human experience as a mode of learning, and constitutes a critique of earlier forms of social anthropological methodology. It suggests that the concept of mimesis should be treated as a central feature of fieldwork enculturation. Moreover, experiences and understandings gained from participation forml a vehicle to help uncover indigenous theories of learning, and these ideas in turn reflect back upon our own culture-specific ways of conceiving the processes of learning. The ethnographic focus is on learning a craft and on performing routinely practical activities among Senegalese Tukulor weavers and praise-singers, the mabube.