Wenner-Gren Research Conference on Bantu Origins in Sub-Saharan Africa, Chicago, March 24-29, 1968: Summary Report and Recommendations

Extract

The Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research supported a research conference on Bantu Origins in Sub-Saharan Africa, which was held from March 25 through 30, 1968, at the Center for Continuing Education, University of Chicago. The participants in the meeting were J. Desmond Clark, University of California at Berkeley; David Dalby, School of Oriental and African Studies, London; J. M. J. de Wet, University of Illinois, Urbana; Christopher Ehret, Van Nuys, California; Brian M. Fagan, University of California at Santa Barbara; Geoffrey Gaherty, University of Toronto; Jack Harland, University of Illinois, Urbana; Thomas N. Huffman, University of Illinois; Charles M. Keller, University of Illinois, Urbana; Roland Oliver, School of Oriental and African Studies, London; Irvine Richardson, Michigan State University, East Lansing; Albert C. Spaulding, University of California at Santa Barbara; Jan Vansina, University of Wisconsin, Madison; Frank Willett, Northwestern University; and C. C. Wrigley, University of Sussex. They were selected from a broad range of disciplines and spent five days in free-ranging discussions on Bantu origins and its related research problems. No formal papers were presented, thereby leaving maximum time for discussion, nor is any publication resulting from the conference planned. This brief report summarizes some of the general conclusions of the meeting and sets out certain recommendations made by participants at the conference; a draft was circulated to all the delegates for examination prior to publication.