The past of dreams: gender, memory and Tuareg oneiric inspiration

This article is built upon both an observation and a paradox. The observation is that the dream is nowhere to be found – at least at first glance – as a theme in Tuareg oral sources and ancient poetic tradition. The paradox expresses itself in the visceral relationship poets maintain with the dream,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inAfrica (London. 1928) Vol. 88; no. 1; pp. 122 - 137
Main Author Dragani, Amalia
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.02.2018
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Subjects
African history
Analysis
Anthropology
Attitudes
Biographies
Creative process
Creativity
Criticism and interpretation
Diaspora
Dreams
Ethnography
Gender
Humanities and Social Sciences
Insomnia
Inspiration
Interdisciplinary aspects
Meaning
Memory
Oral history
Oral tradition
Paradox
Paradoxes
Poetry
Poets
Psychological anthropology
Revenge, dreams, myths and laughter
Sleep
Social Anthropology and ethnology
Theme
Traditions
Women
Africa
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Summary:This article is built upon both an observation and a paradox. The observation is that the dream is nowhere to be found – at least at first glance – as a theme in Tuareg oral sources and ancient poetic tradition. The paradox expresses itself in the visceral relationship poets maintain with the dream, because oneiric inspiration – from the creative and visionary dreams of poets of the past – is pervasive in their work. Using an interdisciplinary approach at the crossroads of psychological anthropology, oral history and the ‘archival turn’, the article explores the theme of the dream in Tuareg historical sources and in relation to contemporary practices. La problématique de cet article repose à la fois sur un constat et sur un paradoxe. Le constat est que le rêve n'est pas présent – à première vue – comme un thème dans les sources orales et dans la tradition poétique. Le paradoxe s'exprime par le fait que les poètes entretiennent une relation étroite avec le rêve car une inspiration onirique – rêves de poètesdécédés – y est attestée. Utilisant une approche interdisciplinaire au carrefour entre anthropologie psychologique, histoire orale et « archival turn » le thème du rêve sera abordé tant dans les sources historiques que dans sa relation aux pratiques contemporaines.
ISSN:0001-9720
1750-0184
DOI:10.1017/S0001972017000596