African Imaginations of Moral Economy: Notes on Indigenous Economic Concepts and Practices in Tanzania

by Tadasu Tsuruta Abstract In response to economic influences emanating from abroad, African people have always created unique socioeconomic relationships and ideas. Examining four well-known Swahili words, utani, chama, ujamaa, and ujanja, this paper offers some tentative and exploratory comments on ‘indigenous’ moral-economic concepts in Tanzania. These terms convey not only notions about social relations but also relations, which […]

The Changing Practices of Kibarua Employment: A Case Study of the Sagara, Tanzania

by Kazuhiko Sugimura Abstract This article analyzes the process in which the “economy of affection” in rural Africa transforms the nature of wage labor and thereby induces a phenomenon we may call “communal sharing of cash” among African peasants, through a case study of Sagara society in Tanzania. In Sagara society, which is now deeply involved in […]

“Earning among Friends”: Business Practices and Creed among Petty Traders in Tanzania

by Sayaka Ogawa Abstract This paper analyzes how petty street traders called Machinga have created unique credit transactions in response to the political and socio-economical transformation after the economic liberalization of Tanzania. The credit transaction described in this paper is called Mali Kauli and is conducted by middlemen and micro-scale retailers. In this paper, I will discuss how newly […]

Social Organization and Social Status in Nineteenth and Twentieth Century Rukwa, Tanzania

by Tony Waters Abstract Nineteenth century histories of Tanzania typically focus on “tribal” histories, customs, and military action. To a certain extent, this is expected. The story of how interior Tanzania came in contact with the Indian Ocean World is an exceedingly violent one. However, there are different ways of looking at interior history which […]

Hip Hop as Social Commentary in Accra and Dar es Salaam

by Msia Kibona Clark Abstract This paper looks at the use of African hip hop as social commentary in Accra, Ghana and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Hip hop is by its definition a tool of self-expression and self-definition, and is often used as a tool of resistance. Young artists are using the platform of hip […]

African Studies Quarterly

Tag: Tanzania