Freedom in Fulani Social Life: An Introspective Ethnography

Paul Riesman’s Freedom in Fulani Social Life is based upon his two years of residence among the Jelgobe, a group of semi-nomadic Fulani of the Sahel in Upper Volta, western Africa. Since its original publication, this classic study has profoundly influenced the field of anthropology through its re-examination of the enthnographer’s personal input on his research. Freedom in Fulani Social Life richly documents how the ethnographer’s own personal and cultural background is implicated in the research process…For this reason, [Riesman’s] book will be of paramount interest to all ethnographers. –Philip L. Kilbride, Reviews in Anthropology A remarkably well-written and insightful account of Fulani life…In addition to using the conventional approaches of participating in and observing the daily activities of the Jelgobe …Riesman enriches his account by examining his personal feelings about particular incidents. –Library Journal An interesting and provocative study. –Choice At the time of his death in 1988, Paul Riesman was an anthropologist who taught at Carleton College.