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Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2005 5:26 PM Dear List Members: I am doing comparative research on Friendly Societies (mutualaid/fraternal organizations) in 19th-20th century Kru Town, Sierra Leone and Barbados, West Indies. From the Sierra Leone Blue Book (1911), I note two interesting societies: The First Class Settra Kroo Sardo Pyne Poh Number Two Uniform Society and the Bar Pyne Poli- both based in Chapel Street, Freetown. I am informed that their members dressed like sailors and the officers of the societies adopted naval titles- This type of society may have functioned well into the 20th century but I have been unable to track down any research beyond what is found in Michael Banton, _West African City_' (1957) and Diane Frost, _Work and Community Among West African Migrant Workers_ (1999). A similar society called the "Landship" has existed in Barbados since the 19th century. I would be grateful for any leads to further historical or anthropological research on the abovenamed societies and/or of any expressive culture within Africa and the African Diaspora wherein the ship motif is emphasised. Regards, Aviston Downes Lecturer Department of History University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus downesav@uwichill.edu.bb
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