The Political Organization of Unyamwezi

This is a detailed study of the political organization in Unyamwezi, an important area of Tanzania shortly before Independence.

R. G. Abrahams (Author)

9780521040594, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 24 September 2007

232 pages
22.9 x 15.3 x 1.5 cm, 0.355 kg

A detailed study of the political organization in an important area of Tanzania shortly before Independence. Unyamwezi covers 35,000 square miles and has a population of 400,000. Dr Abrahams outlines the social and economic framework and examines the origins of the modern political system. He then discusses the internal organization of Nyamwezi chiefdoms and villages and the emergence of national politics. The theoretical and comparative implications of the study, which is based on extensive field work in the area, are also considered.

List of tables
List of illustrations
Foreword Meyer Fortes
Preface
1. The people and their country
2. The historical background
3. The external situation
4. The structure of the chiefdom
5. The business of government
6. Mechanisms of continuity
7. Rulers and subjects
8. Neighbourhood and politics
9. Conclusions
Appendix A: list of chiefdoms in Unyamwezi
Appendix B: Nyamwezi kinship terminology
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Anthropology [JHM]