Themes in Economic Anthropology by Raymond Firth

Author:Raymond Firth [Firth, Raymond]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Google: x5NCMwEACAAJ
Publisher: London
Published: 1967-01-15T05:54:32+00:00

Fredrik Barth

Economic Spheres in Darfur1

This paper contains a concrete account of the main structure of the Mountain Fur economy. It also pursues an argument of greater generality concerning the use of the concept of spheres in the analysis of an economic system. Concretely, I try to show in what sense the flow of goods and services is patterned in discrete spheres, and to demonstrate the nature of the unity within, and barriers between, the spheres. I point to the discrepancies of evaluation that are made possible by the existence of barriers between spheres, and to the activities of entrepreneurs in relation to these barriers. To give the material, I also have to give a sketch of some important institutional complexes that constitute especially significant factors in determining the structure of the economy. Basic to the whole analysis is the view that the demarcation of spheres must be made with respect to the total pattern of circulation of value in an economic system, and not merely with reference to the criterion of direct exchangeability.

PHYSICAL BACKGROUND

Jebel Marra is a mountain massif located about 13° N. and 24° E., close to the centre of the African continent. The area is relatively self-contained, and is isolated by deserts to the North and East, arid and sparsely populated plains to the West, and the Bahr el Arab to the South. From a plain of about 2,000 to 3,000 ft in altitude the mountain rises to nearly 10,000 ft and creates an environment rather different from the surrounding savannah belt of the Sudan: despite a dry season from October till May there are perennial streams and stands of large forest. The mountain, particularly on its lower slopes, supports a dense population of Fur-speaking hoe agriculturalists, living in hamlets or villages of up to about 500 habitants (for general background, see Lampen, 1950; Lebon & Robertson, 1961).

SUBSISTENCE

The crops cultivated on the Jebel Marra form two agricultural complexes: summer rainland crops, and winter crops on irrigated land. The predominant staple is buUrush millet (dukhn) grown on dry terraces and completely dependent on summer rains. Millet fields are prepared and hoed during May-June, the seed is sown as the rains start, and repeated weeding is required until harvest-time in September. The fertility of the soil is prolonged by periodic fallow periods, but extended use leads to impoverishment and final indefinite abandonment to bush.

In rocky fields, and inside the compounds, tomatoes are also grown in the summer, following their introduction by Egyptian troops some hundred years ago. Occasionally, wheat is also cultivated on the dry terraces in the summer, as a final crop before the fields are laid fallow. Low terraces by streams, on the other hand, are artificially irrigated and used for the cultivation of onion, garlic, and wheat in the dry winter season. Whatever manure is available is used on these fields; and they are not normally ever left fallow. In the summer, special crops of chillies, herbs, and potatoes are grown in these fields without irrigation. Scattered among the compounds are also a fair number of cotton bushes.

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