ABSTRACT:
For many generations, Fang communities of Central Africa
have been developing the barrack room in their villages. These social
structures are labeled «Abââ». It generally consists of a
shed made of wood and plant material. It is at these
«Abââ» that men and male teenagers converge and spend
time after their rural works. Placed under the authority of an individual,
generally the eldest of the community, the «Abââ» plays
several crucial roles in the management of the village geared towards the
aspects of life. Several roles played by the «Abââ»,
notably providing a space for communication and interaction, make this
traditional social order the platform of exchange and sharing, which governs
the interpersonal relations in the Fang cultural area, just as the social
networking of modern time.
To further probe our notion in the realm of scientific
tools, we have summoned theories of social organization elaborated by Marshall
MACLUHAN, which postulates that the social structure consists of a set of
non-fortuitous social relationships between individuals linking these parties,
amongst themselves and in an organization as a whole. We also appealed to the
functionalism depicted in the publications of MALINOWSKI who suggests
acknowledging that any social practice, as the Abââ phenomenon, is
established to meet the needs of individuals. The roles embodied by the
Abââ and by the social leaders who take turns depending on the
circumstances or the situations form an integral part of our investigation.
Following this school of thought, we also draw from the theories of Erving
GOFFMAN which underline the theatrical shape of communication.
Through various manifestations of observable dynamic
interaction within the Abââ, we intend to demonstrate a similarity
between the Abââ and modern social networks. It is indeed evident
that identical and common characteristic features are portrayed between the
Abââ and thosesocial networks.
Consequently, existing in the same period, the
Abââ is in its natural environment, the sociocultural area of the
Fang of Central Africa, and is deemed to be what the electronic social network
is for the world in the sphere of influence of globalization.
AVERTISSEMENT
L'université de Yaoundé II n'entend donner
aucune approbation ou improbation aux opinions émises dans le
présent mémoire.Celles-ci doivent être
considérées comme étant propres à leur auteur.
ABREVIATIONS, ACRONYMES, SIGLES
EPC : Eglise Presbytérienne
Camerounaise
ESSTIC : Ecole Supérieure des
Sciences et Techniques de l'Information et de la Communication.
Etc. : Et cetera
Ibid. :
Ibidem,(même endroit de l'oeuvre
citée)
LAN : Local Area Network
MPA : Mission Protestante
Américaine
NTIC : Nouvelles Technologies de
l'Information et de la Communication
Op. Cit. : opere citato, (dans
l'oeuvre citée)
RS : Réseau Social
TIC : Technologies de l'Information et
de la Communication
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