Research master thesis | African Studies (research) (MA)
open access
2020-05-31T00:00:00Z
Political conflict and polarization in Zanzibar have been examined by different scholars and from different (inter)disciplinary angles, often, however, to the exclusion of female voices. Trying to...Show morePolitical conflict and polarization in Zanzibar have been examined by different scholars and from different (inter)disciplinary angles, often, however, to the exclusion of female voices. Trying to mend this bias by exclusively exploring women’s perspectives, using mainly qualitative, in-depth interviews, I was able to identify the centrality of motherhood and mothering to the gendered standpoint of Zanzibari women, also in connection to their attitudes towards ‘the political’. Consequently, this thesis explores the roles the institution of motherhood and mothering as practice play in women’s navigation of (political) uncertainty and conflict in the islands. To establish the context in which this navigation takes place and to mend misconceptions about female (non-)participation in Zanzibari electoral politics, the active roles women have filled in the island’s political history are highlighted. To be able to understand the ‘maternal standpoint’, my respondents spoke and navigated from, local ideologies and experiences of motherhood and mothering are explored. The Swahili terms uchungu (bitterness) and kuhangaika (‘to roam about and struggle’) are central here, expressing the sacrifice that is often expected and performed by mothers. I develop the concept of ‘maternal navigation’ which takes into account the practices of actors who not only strategize to ‘get by’ and ‘get on’ as individuals but navigate uncertainty on behalf of and through others. This helps to make sense of my respondents’ practices as they consider risks and vulnerabilities while negotiating prevalent social, cultural, economic and political circumstances, for the sake of bringing about the best possible results for their children and families. In the political context, motherhood and mothering are shown to have a variety of sometimes contradictory influences, e.g. in connection to the promotion or dismissal of political peace-building. Mothers are also shown to develop specific maternal strategies in face of the risks of politics in the islands to safeguard themselves, but – most importantly – their families and children against political dangers and exposure. Overall, the complex and ambivalence force motherhood and maternal subjectivities represent in the political sphere and in relation to the navigational activities of Zanzibari women is highlighted.Show less
This thesis examines the Ibadi nahda of 1913 through an Islamic Modernist framing to show links between the Ibadi revival and a wider pan-Islamist and anti-colonial moment. The main focus are the...Show moreThis thesis examines the Ibadi nahda of 1913 through an Islamic Modernist framing to show links between the Ibadi revival and a wider pan-Islamist and anti-colonial moment. The main focus are the writings of Nur al-Din al-Salimi (d. 1914) and Abu Muslim al-Bahlani (d. 1920), two luminaries and revolutionaries of the Ibadi revival movement. An 'episodic discourse' model of ideology production is used to relate the social and material conditions of turn of the century colonial Zanzibar and Oman to modernist religious discourse.Show less
During the 2016 annual Zanzibar Revolution celebrations, CCM supporters demonstrated using a statement that depicted ‘anti-foreigner’ sentiments towards their fellow countrymen. By looking at the...Show moreDuring the 2016 annual Zanzibar Revolution celebrations, CCM supporters demonstrated using a statement that depicted ‘anti-foreigner’ sentiments towards their fellow countrymen. By looking at the Tanzanian African nationalist discourse and history, this research paper analyses how this ‘anti-foreigner’ rhetoric demonstrated in 2016, can find its origins in the African nationalist independence movement of Tanzania. In conjunction with Tanzanian history and politics, African nationalist literature obtained from secondary sources are used to examine and understand African nationalist motivations and discourse. These motivations, ideas and discourse are then used to contextualise the 2016 demonstration’s anti-foreigner rhetoric. This research paper finds that the language, ideas, and even the day of the demonstration emphasis the African nationalist independence movement of Tanzanian but more specifically of Zanzibar.Show less
This thesis explores the relationship between the Khojas, the Aga Khan and the British on the island of Zanzibar during the period 1899-1912 on the basis of a dispute between the Isma'ili Khoja...Show moreThis thesis explores the relationship between the Khojas, the Aga Khan and the British on the island of Zanzibar during the period 1899-1912 on the basis of a dispute between the Isma'ili Khoja community and the British authorities on the island regarding the Mnazi Moja grounds. This micro-history demonstrates the dual position of the Aga Khan as a religious leader as well as a British political informant.Show less
