The Archaeological Potential for Reconstructing the History of Labor Relations in East Africa, c. 1500–1900

Abstract

Previous studies of past labor relations in different parts of Africa have relied almost entirely on documentary sources. While such records can provide valuable insights into the range of different labor categories that have existed and the relative proportions of the population involved, for much of the continent they are severely restricted in a temporal sense. Thus, for many areas suitable documentary materials covering the periods prior to 1850 are scarce; as is the case, for example, for much of East Africa. To extend scholarly understanding of the nature of labor relations prior to this date, alternative sources need to be utilized. This paper presents a brief overview of the potential scope for utilizing archaeological data, with specific reference to mainland Tanzania. The paper also highlights the many limitations of archaeological data and offers some thoughts on how these might be addressed from both a conceptual and methodological perspective. The paper concludes with an appeal for more studies oriented toward investigation of the archaeological remains of the last five hundred years and greater dialogue between the region's historians and archaeologists.Résumé : La littérature sur l'histoire des relations de travail dans de différents pays africains s'est basée presque entièrement sur des sources documentaires. Bien que ces données puissent certainement donner des éclaircissements par rapport aux différentes catégories de travail qui ont existé ainsi que sur les proportions des History in Africa , Volume 41 (2014), pp. 277-306 Paul J. Lane is Professor of Global Archaeology at Uppsala University. He is an archaeologist specialising in the later Holocene archaeology of sub-Saharan Africa, with particular reference to Eastern Africa and Southern Africa. His research interests include the emergence of food production, the archaeology of pastoralism and landscape historical ecology. Current projects include a multi-sited archaeology of the nineteenth century ivory trade between East Africa, Europe and North America and its longer-term socio-ecological legacies.278 History in Africa populations impliquées, pour la plupart du continent l'information est très limitée en termes temporels. Ainsi, par rapport à de nombreuses régions, le matériel documentaire d'avant 1850 est limité; tel est le cas, par exemple, pour l'Afrique orientale. D'autres sources s'avèrent (ainsi) indispensables afin d'élargir la compréhension de la nature des relations de travail avant cette date. Cet article présente un aperçu du potentiel des données archéologiques, spécifiquement dans le cas de la Tanzanie continentale. En même temps, il illustre aussi les nombreuses contraintes liées à l'emploi des données archéologiques et propose quelques réflexions sur la manière dont celles-ci pourraient être adressées d'un point de vue conceptuel et méthodologique. L'article se conclut par un appel à orienter les études vers les données archéologiques des dernières cinq-cents années et prône pour un meilleur dialogue entre historiens et arché...

Le sel et le fer au cœur des échanges, de la circulation et du commerce dans la région des Grands Lacs à l’époque précoloniale

“…Des forgerons également parmi les Pare, et les Rangi : « Their products were likely exchanged in local markets, although oral sources indicate that they were also traded further afield; for instance, Zigua traders were likely responsible for distributing the iron goods manufactured in Pare further afield. In central Tanganyika, Rangi of the Kondoa area are also known to have travelled to neighboring areas to exchange their wares » (Lane 2014).…”

The archaeology of Mauritius

“…Future work will emphasise how ideas of identity construction (Wynne-Jones 2007) can be useful for the local context (Colwell-Chanthaphonh & de Salle-Esso 2014). Furthermore, mechanisms proposed for continental Africa might have potential for understanding labour and environmental histories (Lane 2010, 2014), as well as more specific issues relating to administrative policy; for example, the ecological consequences of introducing draft animals (Bernard & Parker 2006).…”