In the 1990s a livelihood approach to poverty in Africa emerged, with an emphasis on agency as opposed to structure. Situated in an actor-oriented perspective, the livelihood approach focuses on ... Show moreIn the 1990s a livelihood approach to poverty in Africa emerged, with an emphasis on agency as opposed to structure. Situated in an actor-oriented perspective, the livelihood approach focuses on (poor) individuals and households, aiming at a dynamic and holistic understanding of their actions. This chapter outlines the disciplinary roots of the livelihood approach and its modern articulations. It then argues that a new generation of livelihood studies is needed which politicizes issues of livelihood by putting more emphasis on the analysis of power relations, both on the micro and the meso/macro levels. In addition, the increasing multilocality of African livelihoods, associated with income diversification, multitasking and growing mobility, should be taken into account. The new multilocal networks of African livelihoods could constitute an important undercurrent for the strengthening of African development. Bibliogr. [ASC Leiden abstract] Show less
This paper examines how to research the changing outlines of African livelihoods in the present era of globalisation. After an analysis of the historical and theoretical context in which the... Show moreThis paper examines how to research the changing outlines of African livelihoods in the present era of globalisation. After an analysis of the historical and theoretical context in which the modern livelihood approach developed, two trends in modern livelihood studies are discussed, i.e. its increased holistic features and the surmounting of its micro-orientation. - Subsequently, the most pressing issues in livelihood research are reviewed: decomposition of households, increased diversification and increased multi-locality of livelihoods under globalisation. The next sections focus on two major theoretical and methodological challenges facing the livelihood approach at present. Firstly, with respect to the problem of access, we will demonstrate that the livelihood approach can become more powerful analytically by improving its theoretical depth through incorporating valuable elements of sovereignty and power. Secondly, there is the access to livelihood opportunities in relation to decision-making. In this context, we review various relevant concepts, such as livelihood strategies and styles, in order to operationalise the improved theoretical depth. We then propose livelihood trajectories as an appropriate methodology for examining pathways of African livelihoods. In so doing, the paper also sets the agenda for future research on African livelihoods. Paper presented at the 11th General Assembly of CODESRIA, 6-10 December 2005, Maputo. Show less
Dietz, A.J.; Nunow, A.A.; Adano, W.R.; Zaal, F. 2003
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
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
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
Almost ten years ago to the day I gave a talk at SCOLMA's 1992 annual general meeting on African documentation in the Netherlands, and possibilities for European cooperation. My talk focused on... Show moreAlmost ten years ago to the day I gave a talk at SCOLMA's 1992 annual general meeting on African documentation in the Netherlands, and possibilities for European cooperation. My talk focused on the Afrika-Studiecentrum (ASC) in Leiden and the work of the Library and Documentation Department. This talk, too, will focus on the Afrika-Studiecentrum. As the only research and documentation centre in the Netherlands devoted exclusively to Africa, the Afrika-Studiecentrum plays a pivotal role in Dutch African Studies and, as in 1992, I happen to work there, so it is what I know best. I would like to tell you something about the Afrika Studiecentrum's origins and objectives, its research programme and the work of the Library, Documentation and Information Department. I will say a bit about the library collection and acquisitions policy and go into somewhat more detail on a number of the activities we have undertaken over the past years to facilitate national and international access to African Studies resources, through the development of the ASC OPAC, through partnerships with commercial publishers, and through cooperation with other Africana libraries and documentation services. However, before moving on to talk about the ASC, I would first briefly like to describe a few of the other collections on Africa which exist in the Netherlands. This is no more than a quick bird's-eye view and is no way meant to be comprehensive. Show less
After a general description of pastoralism in Africa, focusing mainly on the Wodaabe and Macina Fulbe in West Africa, the author discusses livestock development policies. He notes that, in the... Show moreAfter a general description of pastoralism in Africa, focusing mainly on the Wodaabe and Macina Fulbe in West Africa, the author discusses livestock development policies. He notes that, in the 1960s and 1970s, much effort was put into programmes to improve cattle breeds and to ameliorate the fodder situation in order to boost meat production, and that in the 1980s, the emphasis on expanding production was relaxed in favour of comprehensive resource management by pastoral groups. This shift coincided with new insights into dry-range ecosystems and their vegetation biodynamics and increased scientific recognition of the efficiency of pastoral economies. In terms of P. Blaikie's analysis (1995, 1996), this new knowledge can be understood as part of a paradigm shift from classic and neoliberal thinking to postmodernist neopopulism. Bibliogr Show less
The struggle for land is a phenomenon which can be observed worldwide. In its occurrence it is not restricted to a particular period in time, nor to a specific geographical region, nor to a certain... Show moreThe struggle for land is a phenomenon which can be observed worldwide. In its occurrence it is not restricted to a particular period in time, nor to a specific geographical region, nor to a certain type of society. In this book, the editors present case studies of the struggle for land as it occurs in Third World countries and in less developed areas at the periphery of the industrialized world. The case studies are structured according to the adaptational strategies of the populations involved and include examples of the struggle for land among hunters and gatherers, among pastoralists, and among people who subsist on horticulture and agriculture. The following articles deal with Africa: Pastoralists and their struggle for land: examples from Africa south of the Sahara, by B. Bos and G. Peperk The struggle for land and livestock among the Turkana, (ex)-nomadic pastoralists of northwest Kenya, by M.M.E.M. Rutten; Religion and the struggle for land in Zimbabwe, by G. Huizer; The struggle for land in Kenya's marginal areas as exemplified by the situation in Meru District, by G. Peperkamp Show less
Contents: 1. Introduction (is there a case for a Marxist approach in anthropological fieldwork - the structure of our argument). 2. The level of production as a problem in anthropological fieldwork... Show moreContents: 1. Introduction (is there a case for a Marxist approach in anthropological fieldwork - the structure of our argument). 2. The level of production as a problem in anthropological fieldwork (data on production - the concept of 'mode of production' - variations in the 'lineage mode of production' in Black Africa - the 'lineage mode of production' in North Africa - discussion). 3. Production and politics (the danger of functionalist teleology - Meillassoux and the politics of kin-group composition among the Guro (Ivory Coast) - Rey and determinism - class alliance between elders and capitalists: the Maka case (S.E. Cameroon) - the Zambian Nkoya as a contrasting case - analysis in terms of class? - the extended-case method). 4. The ethnography of articulation (the problem - production at a Zambian chief's court - capturing articulation in ethnographic data). 5. Field-work on ideology, belief and ritual (some theoretical problems - religious plurality and articulation of modes of production: the Nkoya case). 6. Concluding remarks. Notes, ref Show less
States that formal Local Courts did exist all right, but they were peripheral rather than central to the judicial process, and to the conflict-regulatory process in general, and such conflictws as... Show moreStates that formal Local Courts did exist all right, but they were peripheral rather than central to the judicial process, and to the conflict-regulatory process in general, and such conflictws as most deeply concerned and aroused local communities, were hardly subject to formal litigation in these courts. First argues these statements concerning the Nkoya legal system, qualifies them in the light of the actual occurrence of Local Court cases under specific conditions. After an attempt to interpret the Nkoyal legal situation against the dynamics of their village society, the Nkoya to the Central Lozi and other Central African groups are briefly compared. Notes Show less
Paper read at the University of Zambia/ University of California Los Angeles conference on the history of Central African religious systems, Lusaka, 16 pp, 1972
