Meyer Fortes
South African-born anthropologist / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Meyer Fortes FBA FRAI (25 April 1906 – 27 January 1983) was a South African-born anthropologist, best known for his work among the Tallensi and Ashanti in Ghana.
Quick Facts Born, Died ...
Meyer Fortes | |
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Born | (1906-04-25)25 April 1906 |
Died | 27 January 1983(1983-01-27) (aged 76) Cambridge, England |
Nationality | South African |
Known for | Tallensi and Ashanti |
Scientific career | |
Fields | anthropology |
Academic advisors | Bronisław Malinowski |
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Originally trained in psychology, Fortes employed the notion of the "person" into his structural-functional analyses of kinship, the family, and ancestor worship setting a standard for studies on African social organization. His celebrated book, Oedipus and Job in West African Religion (1959), fused his two interests and set a standard for comparative ethnology. He also wrote extensively on issues of the first born, kingship, and divination.