Renamo fought a bloody war from 1976 to 1992 against the socialist Frelimo government that devastated the country, but since Renamo had been created by Rhodesia and subsequently supported by South... Show moreRenamo fought a bloody war from 1976 to 1992 against the socialist Frelimo government that devastated the country, but since Renamo had been created by Rhodesia and subsequently supported by South Africa, the internal dimensions of the conflict were played down. However, the resistance of large sections of Mozambican society against the authoritarian politics of the Frelimo regime explains why Renamo did not remain a small guerrilla force but finally controlled entire regions of the country. The excessive violence against civilians by Renamo obscured the fact that in certain regions the movement enjoyed popular support. The conflict in Mozambique was both a modern war with sophisticated weapons and an armed conflict where ritual powers played a role. After the war, collective and individual rituals contributed to the reconciliation of the warring parties and the reintegration of individuals into their local communities. Notes, ref., sum. [Book abstract] Show less
De Peul en de Dogon leven, ruim voor het tijdperk van grote Peulstaten als het Macinarijk, reeds lang naast elkaar in centraal Mali. De Peul weidden er hun kudden, pleegden er overvallen en... Show moreDe Peul en de Dogon leven, ruim voor het tijdperk van grote Peulstaten als het Macinarijk, reeds lang naast elkaar in centraal Mali. De Peul weidden er hun kudden, pleegden er overvallen en gebruikten het gebied als slavenreservoir. Ook de Dogon organiseerden van tijd tot tijd overvallen. Door de geschiedenis heen hebben de betrekkingen tussen de Dogon en de Peul afwisselende uitingsvormen gekend afhankelijk van de diverse woongebieden in de Seno-Gondo- en Seno-Mangovlakten. Rond de Falaise van Bandiagara blijkt uit diverse rituelen van de Dogon een diepe rancune jegens de Peul. In het spraakgebruik van de Dogon staat de Peul symbool voor het beeld van 'de ander', de bewoner van de wildernis. Maar als mens van de wildernis vertegenwoordigt de Peul ook andere waarden: omdat de wildernis wijs en sterk is, maar ook gevaarlijk en grillig, is de Peul dat ook. De betrekkingen tussen de Houmbebe, een Dogon subgroep van landbouwers in de Hayre, en de Peul, veehouders en halfnomaden, hebben een werkbare vorm gekregen door de opkomst van de 'njaatigi' (gastheer). In elk dorp heeft de Peul een 'njaatigi' op wie hij een beroep kan doen. Door de aanhoudende droogte in het gebied verandert de 'njaatigi'-verhouding echter steeds meer in een afhankelijkheidsrelatie. Noten. [Samenvatting ASC Leiden] Show less
In this chapter, the limits to the memory of liberation are investigated with regard to the factors affecting a liberation movement in the process of achieving legitimate power in a postcolonial... Show moreIn this chapter, the limits to the memory of liberation are investigated with regard to the factors affecting a liberation movement in the process of achieving legitimate power in a postcolonial society. The case of Namibia is explored in the transition from anticolonial resistance to comprehensive control by the former liberation movement over the State. The concepts of political rule, the State and democracy are tested against the impact of a liberation struggle in terms of the applied understanding of political dominance, once access to power has been achieved. The political culture under a government with a record of liberation struggle suggests limitations to the implementation of democracy. Notes, ref., sum. [Book abstract] Show less
During the Italian occupation of Ethiopia (1936-1941) a significant indigenous resistance movement, the Patriots' Movement, emerged. The nature and impact of this resistance is reconsidered by... Show moreDuring the Italian occupation of Ethiopia (1936-1941) a significant indigenous resistance movement, the Patriots' Movement, emerged. The nature and impact of this resistance is reconsidered by highlighting aspects of its role in 'redefining Ethiopia', its internal policy and its position in the global community after the start of the Second World War. The resistance movement was based on the ideals of restoring national independence and preserving cultural identity. There is also discussion of the reasons for the abrupt end to the resistance - mainly due to an external intervening factor (the British army) and the defeat of Italy - which prevented the challenge posed by the resistance movement and its incipient ideas of political reform being taken up seriously by the postwar imperial regime. Notes, ref., sum. [Book abstract] Show less
The Kawousan War (1916-1920) was one of the longest periods of resistance known in Niger and through it the local people - Tuareg, Hausa and others - fought to free their society from French... Show moreThe Kawousan War (1916-1920) was one of the longest periods of resistance known in Niger and through it the local people - Tuareg, Hausa and others - fought to free their society from French colonial domination. Unlike other interpretations, this chapter looks at the structural causes of the war related to the ecology and economy of the area, the influence of French colonial politics on the nomadic lifestyle, and Islam. It also considers the decisive role of the individual leaders, the breakdown of Tuareg confederations and the creation of new political unities, and the reduction in the powers of the regional chiefs. The effect the Kawousan War had on regions outside the immediate vicinity of the fighting is also investigated. The causes of the war were multifaceted and made it more than purely a religiously inspired revolt. Notes, ref., sum. [Book abstract] Show less
