Inventing traditional authority

Lhomwe chiefs in Malawi

Dados Bibliográficos

ID4252920
AutoresAmanda Lea Robinson (0000-0002-8315-7753, The Ohio State University, autor correspondente)
Ano2024
Volume62
Fascículo1
Páginas25-51
Data de publicação2024-03-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoThe Journal of Modern African Studies (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0022-278X • E-ISSN: 1469-7777
EditoraCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0022278x23000447
OpenAlexW4396704975
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas2
Referências citadas49

Chiefs in Malawi exercise significant authority based on legitimacy derived from the position's purportedly deep historical origins. But, does such legitimacy confer when a new chieftaincy is created from scratch? I address this question within the context of an ongoing cultural revival of the Lhomwe ethnic group in Malawi, which has included the appointment of many new Lhomwe chiefs and the creation of a Lhomwe paramount chieftaincy. Using a combination of in-depth interviews and original survey data, I explore the political drivers, mechanisms and implications of the this newly created Lhomwe chieftaincy. I find that its creation was driven by top-down, elite-led action rather than citizen demands, and that the newly appointed chiefs enjoy the most support among urban-based backers of the political party responsible for their appointments. This research contributes to historical work on the colonial-era creation of chieftaincies, but does so using a contemporary case of cultural engineering

Business · Political science · Traditional authority · African history and culture studies · African studies and sociopolitical issues · Public Administration · South African History and Culture