Costs of Knowledge

Some Economic Underpinnings of Spiritual Relations in Islam in Niger

Bibliographic Data

ID24302524
AuthorsNoah Butler
Year2007
Pages309-328
Publication date2007-09-07
Open AccessNo
TypeCHAPTER
VenueMarkets and Market Liberalization: Ethnographic Reflections (SOURCE_BOOK)
PublisherEmerald (MCB UP ) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/s0190-1281(05)24011-8
OpenAlexW2477796850
ISBN9780762312252
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited44

This paper explores the economic character of relations between marabouts (Muslim holy persons) and followers in Niger. In particular, it uses the blurred edges between gifts and commodities to contrast the (oft-divergent) modalities with which marabouts and followers conceptualize knowledge. Across Francophone West Africa, marabouts have historically depended largely on gift economies for their livelihood. Yet, followers are increasingly inclined to conceptualize the knowledge transmitted by marabouts as a commodity rather than as a gift. These developments suggest a growing tendency to view social relations with marabouts in terms of isolated transactions more so than continuing personal connections framed by enduring moral obligations.

commodification of knowledge · francophone West Africa · gift economy · marabouts · Moral obligation · Niger · religious knowledge · African Studies and Geopolitics · Anthropological Studies and Insights · Cross-Cultural and Social Analysis