Dr. Elliot Fratkin, who is Gwendolen Carter Professor of African Studies (Anthropology) at Smith College, was also for seven years (from 2010 through 2017) one of the co-editors of the African Studies Review. As editor, Elliot brought new perspectives on scholarship of East Africa, on studies of pastoralists, and on excellent and engaged scholarship more generally to the journal. Elliot’s teaching at Smith College continues, but the ASR would like to celebrate his many contributions as co-editor with the publication of this group of articles on Kenya.
The lives and livelihoods of pastoralists in Kenya have been the major focus of Elliot’s research. His first book, Ariaal Pastoralists of Kenya: Studying Pastoralism, Drought, and Development in Africa’s Arid Lands (2004), examined how the Ariaal adapted to and survived diverse disasters, including drought and famine, local armed conflict, and the intervention of international development and relief organizations. His second book, Laibon: An Anthropologist’s Journey with Samburu Diviners in Kenya (2012), provided an introspective account of his own experiences doing field research in northern Kenya, and of his gaining a fuller understanding of Ariaal divination and healing rituals. Elliot also was a Fulbright Scholar twice: in 2003 in Eritrea and in 2011–2012 in Ethiopia. Elliot has always combined his love of good scholarship with a strong sense of humor and an abundance of compassion for his colleagues, his students, and his friends.
Over the seven years that Elliot served as co-editor, the ASR went through a number of transitions, and through them all Elliot worked tirelessly to shape the journal into one of the leading multi-disciplinary journals of African studies. Elliot strongly encouraged scholars of East Africa to contribute to the journal, and he brought a sharpened awareness of new trends in scholarship to the selection of manuscripts, as well as to the writing of extensive and thoughtful letters to authors to guide them through the revision process. More than his work on the details of editing, though, he also had a broader vision for the ASR to make it the journal that scholars would think of first when they had a manuscript to submit, or when they wanted to investigate the latest scholarship on a particular issue. Elliot’s commitment to strong scholarship has enriched the journal and his ties to researchers throughout the U.S., Africa, and the world have expanded the journal’s reach. For all of this, and for so much more, we offer the following articles, with gratitude.
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Dr. Elliot Fratkin, who is Gwendolen Carter Professor of African Studies (Anthropology) at Smith College, was also for seven years (from 2010 through 2017) one of the co-editors of the African Studies Review. As editor, Elliot brought new perspectives on scholarship of East Africa, on studies of pastoralists, and on excellent and engaged scholarship more generally to the journal. Elliot’s teaching at Smith College continues, but the ASR would like to celebrate his many contributions as co-editor with the publication of this group of articles on Kenya.
The lives and livelihoods of pastoralists in Kenya have been the major focus of Elliot’s research. His first book, Ariaal Pastoralists of Kenya: Studying Pastoralism, Drought, and Development in Africa’s Arid Lands (2004), examined how the Ariaal adapted to and survived diverse disasters, including drought and famine, local armed conflict, and the intervention of international development and relief organizations. His second book, Laibon: An Anthropologist’s Journey with Samburu Diviners in Kenya (2012), provided an introspective account of his own experiences doing field research in northern Kenya, and of his gaining a fuller understanding of Ariaal divination and healing rituals. Elliot also was a Fulbright Scholar twice: in 2003 in Eritrea and in 2011–2012 in Ethiopia. Elliot has always combined his love of good scholarship with a strong sense of humor and an abundance of compassion for his colleagues, his students, and his friends.
Over the seven years that Elliot served as co-editor, the ASR went through a number of transitions, and through them all Elliot worked tirelessly to shape the journal into one of the leading multi-disciplinary journals of African studies. Elliot strongly encouraged scholars of East Africa to contribute to the journal, and he brought a sharpened awareness of new trends in scholarship to the selection of manuscripts, as well as to the writing of extensive and thoughtful letters to authors to guide them through the revision process. More than his work on the details of editing, though, he also had a broader vision for the ASR to make it the journal that scholars would think of first when they had a manuscript to submit, or when they wanted to investigate the latest scholarship on a particular issue. Elliot’s commitment to strong scholarship has enriched the journal and his ties to researchers throughout the U.S., Africa, and the world have expanded the journal’s reach. For all of this, and for so much more, we offer the following articles, with gratitude.