Beschreibung
“The Ila Speaking” is a record of life in a Central
African village around a century ago. It originated in
conversations recorded by Methodist missionaries as they
attempted to learn the language and customs of the Ila
people. Over the years 1906 to 1966 they collected over
12000 items. What began as a vocabulary with examples ended
as the self-portrait of a people and a way of life.
The author worked with the Ila from 1958 to 1966, later
producing a “Dictionary of Ila Usage” (LIT Verlag 2000).
The present book is a series of extracts from the dictionary
arranged by subject, with a commentary. It is the author’s
hope that `the voices come over loud and clear to you the
reader, and that you come away from this book with a feel
for Ila humour, Ila life, and Ila reflections on people and
their ways. I did, and I am sure you will too’ (Professor
Graham Furniss, School of Oriental and African Studies –
London).
