ABSTRACT
In this chapter the author presents a paper on two small leisure-time groups which she was able to observe for several months. A census of Avenue 21 late in 1952 revealed a defacto population of 128 men, women, and children, but there was a high rate of movement in and out of the avenue and the population fluctuated from week to week and even from day to day. In depicting the contrast between the club and Christine's guests the author have, of course, neglected innumerable important and interesting aspects of social relations in Avenue 21. The chapter demonstrates the need for intensive small-group studies to shed light on the system of social relations in African towns. The nature of the social relations which existed between the members of the 'club' irrespective of whether it continued to exist as a mock-formal association for any length of time.
