This volume explores the constitutive role of rhetoric in socio-cultural relations, where discursive persuasion is so important, and contains both theoretical chapters as well as fascinating examples of the ambiguities and effects of rhetoric used (un)consciously in social praxis. The elements of power, competition and political persuasion figure prominently. It is an accessible collection of studies, speaking to common issues and problems in social life, and shows the heuristic and often explanatory value of the rhetorical perspective.

Jon Abbink is a research professor of Politics and Governance in Africa (Political Anthropology) at the African Studies Centre, Leiden University. Recent publications includeThe Anthropology of Elites (co-edited, Palgrave, 2012),Reconfiguring Ethiopia (co-edited, Routledge, 2013), a co-authored monograph,Suri Orature, on the Suri people (Köppe Verlag, 2014), and the edited volumeThe Environmental Crunch in Africa (Palgrave, 2018).

List of Illustrations Preface

PART I: POSITIONING

Introduction: Rhetoric in Social RelationsJon Abbink and Shauna LaTosky

Chapter 1. Embodied Chiasmus: From Alienation to ParticipationJamin Pelkey

PART II: BONDING

Chapter 2. Kinship: Mother and Child of RhetoricJean Lydall

Chapter 3. What Do Kinship Terms Do? The Dual Life of Kinship Rhetoric in English-Written Hunter-Gatherers EthnographyNurit Bird-David

Chapter 4. The Rhetoric of Kinship: Doing Kinship Some Mambila CasesDavid Zeitlyn

Chapter 5. Establishing Ethos: The Rhetorical Work of BondfriendshipFelix Girke

Chapter 6. The Rhetorics of Purging among the Mun (Mursi) of Southern EthiopiaShauna LaTosky

Chapter 7. The Art of PlayingTuql: How to Make Love in EgyptSteffen Strohmenger

Chapter 8. Enculturation as Rhetorical PracticeIvo Strecker

PART III: CONTESTATION

Chapter 9. Sweet Tongues: The Rhetoric of Politeness in DamascusAnke Reichenbach

Chapter 10. Words and Images: A Cross-cultural View on Swearing as a Rhetorical Strategy in Social RelationsSusan du Mesnil de Rochemont

Chapter 11. Flavouring the Nation: The Rhetoric of Nutrition Policies in EthiopiaValentina Peveri

Chapter 12. Power Relations in Suri: Public Speech and ActionJon Abbink

Chapter 13. Inducement to Action and Change in Attitude: Coaching in the Light of Rhetorical AnthropologyMicha Mokrzan

Index