“There are whole worlds out there that people have no idea that even exist,” said Dr. Margaret Buckner, professor of anthropology at Missouri State University.
Two little-known cultures from the Central African Republic in particular are at the heart of Buckner’s research and passion: the Zande and Nzakara.
“The people may wear old clothes. They don’t have electricity and don’t have smartphones. By those standards, we’d consider them to be primitive,” she said. “But they have a beautiful way of life. Their music, proverbs, stories, songs and their poems are just beautiful.”
In 2015, Buckner published the poems – which are sung – of the Nzakara, which her mentor and colleague, the late Dr. Eric de Dampierre, collected. She is about to publish the traditional stories of the Zande, which have both narration and song. In each book, the text is displayed in the traditional language side-by-side with a French translation. She recorded and digitized them for public access as well.
Significance of these works
Learning about and appreciating the differences between people is a primary tenant of Missouri State’s public affairs mission, Buckner noted. The desire to expose people to these African cultures and maintain the integrity of their history led to these recent books, which are part of a series called Classiques Africains.
“I don’t know that these stories are going to be here in another 50 years. I’m just wanting to ensure that these treasures don’t completely disappear because they are beautiful and absolutely wonderful,” she said. “My hope is that one day a grandkid of one of the storytellers can hear their grandmother’s voice or read her words.”
About Buckner
Buckner learned the Zande language when she was in the Peace Corps in the area in the 1980s. She continued to visit and collect these stories as she worked on her thesis and dissertation.
“I’d bicycle into a village, and once I said hello in Zande, people would all come out, fascinated that I would know their language,” she remembered. “I’d be invited into their homes and stay for days and they’d tell me stories each night.”
About the region
Buckner remembers a serene Central African Republic with people who lived sustainably and peaceably. However, safety concerns due to political unrest have kept her from there for more than 20 years.
At the end of the academic year, Buckner plans to retire and apply for a position within Doctors without Borders where she hopes to be assigned to a station within the same region.
For more information, contact Buckner at 417-836-6165.