Kathryn de Luna (Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois)

Submitted: Tue, 5 Feb 2008 15:37:03 -0600


Kathryn M. de Luna
Graduate Student
Northwestern University
Department of History
Harris Hall #202
1881 Sheridan Rd.
Evanston, IL 60208
 
phone:     847-491-3406
fax:       847-467-1393
e-mail:    kathryn-deluna@northwestern.edu



I specialize in the precolonial history of south central Africa. By using 
a methodology called comparative historical linguistics, I reconstruct 
three thousand years of history among Botatwe speaking peoples -- in 
present-day Zambia -- to understand how Botatwe farmers who also hunted, 
fished, and foraged were able to both supplement their farming activities 
in the face of seasonal or longer-term shortages and shape the changing 
content and character of political ideas about power and influence.  

Specifically, I am interested in understanding how acquiring a reputation 
based on demonstrated skill in "bush" craft allowed some Botatwe peoples 
to develop new ideas about elderhood, friendship, and other forms of 
social identity and influence.