Summary
Contents
The Third Volume in the series Communication Processes engages in understanding processes of communication in relation to cultural configurations and contending forces that permeate them. This volume is positioned at the interface of culture and communication—exploring ways in which interaction, negotiations, and even conflicts are voiced. It re-examines our conception of culture to show that communities cannot be divided into polarities such as ‘elite and popular’ or ‘dominant and subaltern’—establishing that such clear divisions cannot exist in society. Culture is therefore perceived as a field of contending forces: a milieu of exchange, encounter, confrontation, and possibly conflict.
The Famous Invincible Darkies*
The Famous Invincible Darkies*
New Year at the Cape
Cape Town, early on in the evening of 31 December 1994, in the Bo-Kaap (also known as the Malay Quarter, at the foot of Signal Hill): people, very often whole families, start gathering in the streets and try to find a good spot to watch the choirs when they come. Numerous food and beverage stands are erected. Until the morning of 1 January, nagtroepe, as the singkore or Malay choirs are called on this occasion, march in the streets wearing their special track-suits, stop and sing in front of friends' houses or of social clubs, and are offered a tafel (a table, that is, food and drinks).
The same day, in the morning, Coon1 troupes ...