Analysing Pre-Capitalist Societies in Southern Africa

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Periodical article

Title:	Analysing Pre-Capitalist Societies in Southern Africa
Author:	Guy, Jeff
Year:	1987
Periodical:	Journal of Southern African Studies
Volume:	14
Issue:	1
Period:	October
Pages:	18-37
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Southern Africa
Subjects:	traditional society Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) Labor and Employment Cultural Roles Historical/Biographical
External link:	https://www.jstor.org/stable/2636695
Abstract:	The major shortcomings in most attempts to analyse southern Africa's precapitalist societies are the result of an inability to escape the strictures imposed by ways of thought derived from capitalism or analyses of capitalism. The author puts that it is possible to derive from his evidence a set of social principles which go a long way towards revealing the essential organizing features of these societies: the continuous acquisition, creation, control and appropriation of labour power. This labour power was realized by men, through the exchange of cattle for the productive and reproductive capacities of women. Not accumulation in itself, but the accumulation of labour power is the factor of the greatest significance. Notes, ref.