Vilimani: Labor Migration and Rural Change in Early Colonial Tanzania (Social History of Africa) [Paperback]

Thaddeus Sunseri (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 16, 2001 | ISBN-10: 0325001820 | ISBN-13: 978-0325001821

Vilimani is an examination of the social and environmental consequences of labor migration in early colonial Tanzania. Sunseri relies on a number of case studies to explore transformations in slavery and porterage, social and work life on plantations and railways, gendered conflict at the household and village level, and how rural social change intersected with the Maji Maji rebellion of 1905.

Perhaps half a million men and women entered colonial wage labor circuits during German rule in Tanzania. Framed within the context of industrialization in Germany, this study looks at some of the social consequences of labor migration, the motivations of colonial wage workers, and how labor migrants came to shape many aspects of the colonial economy. Changes in the rural environment that resulted from labor migration are given as much attention as labor struggles at the work site. Case studies examine transformations in slavery and porterage, patterns of labor recruitment, social and work life on plantations and railways, and gendered conflict at the household and village level. This is one of the first studies of this period to examine the consequences of colonial conservation policies, and how rural dwellers transformed their environments in response to constraints on labor, land, and resource use.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Excellent scholarship. Very highly recommended for all levels and collections.”–Choice

About the Author

Thaddeus Sunseri is associate professor of history at Colorado State University. His articles on the social and labor history of Tanzania under German rule have appeared in the Journal of African History, the International Journal of African Historical Studies, African Affairs, and the Canadian Journal of African Studies.

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Heinemann (October 16, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0325001820
• ISBN-13: 978-0325001821
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,791,052 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vilimani - destined to become the standard work, May 30, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Vilimani: Labor Migration and Rural Change in Early Colonial Tanzania (Social History of Africa) (Paperback)

Vilimani is destined to become the standard work on the subject of labour in colonial Tanzania, and is also a significant contribution to the study of rural change in Africa as a whole. Dr. Sunseri's collection and treatment of the evidence is superlative, and his writing is crisp and direct.