The power of sex: Some reflections on the Caldwells' 'African sexuality' thesis
The power of sex: Some reflections on the Caldwells' 'African sexuality' thesis
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作者：
Heald, S
本文包含对东非性本质的一系列反思，以回应 J.C.考德威尔及其合作者提出的理论。它认为，他们的观点未能理解性约束和限制是如何构成东非社会道德秩序基础的。他们独特的非洲性系统模型过分强调血统，系统性地低估了婚姻的重要性，并将祖先崇拜简化为只关注血统、繁殖和延续。相比之下，乌干达吉苏人认为，祖先信仰的一般形式与正确社会生活的总体模板相关，这些模板不取决于血统，而是取决于性及其控制。从这个角度来看，大多数东非文化都可以被贴上“尊重文化”的标签，因为他们认为自己的社会秩序植根于尊重，尊重意味着顺从、对适当礼仪的关注，最重要的是自我约束。这些规则使性成为问题。然后文章转向性交本身的神圣力量。通过观察东非性交中广泛使用的血统混合的隐喻来解决这个问题。文章的最后一节重点讨论了血缘与联盟的对比以及男女结合作为契约关系原型的观点。
This article consists of a series of reflections about the nature of sexuality in East Africa framed in response to the theories put forward by J. C. Caldwell and his collaborators. It argues that their views fail to grasp the way sexual restraints and restrictions form the basis of the moral order in East African societies. Their model of a distinctively African sexual system overemphasises descent in a way that systematically underplays the importance of marriage and reduces ancestor cults to exclusive concern with lineage, reproduction and continuity. By contrast, it is argued with reference to the Gisu of Uganda, ancestral beliefs in their general form are associated with the overall templates for correct social living and these hinge not on lineality but on sexuality and its control. In this light, most East African cultures can be labelled 'respect cultures', in that they see their social orders as rooted in respect, respect which implies deference, attention to proper decorum and above all self-restraint. The rules problematise sexuality. The article then turns to the sacred power attributed to coitus itself. This is addressed by looking at the metaphor of the mingling of bloods, widely used of sexual intercourse in East Africa. In the last section of the article attention is paid to the contrast between consanguinity and alliance and the idea that the union of man and woman serves as the prototype of contractual relationships.