Making Nation and Race in Urban Tanzania: New African Histories

Tanzania is a nation with a rich and complicated history. It is a country that has been shaped by the forces of colonialism, imperialism, and globalization. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the history of Tanzania, and in particular, the history of the country's urban areas. This interest has been sparked by a number of factors, including the country's rapid urbanization, the increasing importance of cities in the global economy, and the rise of new social and political movements.

Taifa: Making Nation and Race in Urban Tanzania (New African Histories)

by Shaun Attwood

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3390 KB
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Print length	:	304 pages

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One of the most important aspects of the history of urban Tanzania is the role that nation and race have played in shaping the country's cities. In this article, we will explore the ways in which nation and race have been constructed and contested in urban Tanzania. We will also examine the impact that these constructions have had on the lives of urban Tanzanians.

The Construction of Nation and Race in Urban Tanzania

The construction of nation and race in urban Tanzania has been a complex and contested process. During the colonial period, the British imposed a racial hierarchy on the country, with Europeans at the top and Africans at the bottom. This hierarchy was reflected in the spatial organization of cities, with Europeans living in the best neighborhoods and Africans living in the worst.

After independence, the Tanzanian government attempted to dismantle the racial hierarchy that had been established during the colonial period. However, the government's efforts were only partially successful. While racial discrimination was outlawed, it continued to exist in many forms. For example, many Africans continued to live in poverty and squalor, while many Europeans continued to live in affluence.

In recent years, there has been a growing challenge to the traditional constructions of nation and race in urban Tanzania. This challenge has come from a number of sources, including the rise of new social and political movements, the increasing importance of cities in the global economy, and the growing awareness of the negative consequences of racial discrimination.

The Impact of Nation and Race on the Lives of Urban Tanzanians

The constructions of nation and race in urban Tanzania have had a profound impact on the lives of urban Tanzanians. Racial discrimination has limited the opportunities of many Africans, and it has contributed to the poverty and inequality that is prevalent in many urban areas.

However, the constructions of nation and race have also had a positive impact on the lives of some urban Tanzanians. For example, the rise of African nationalism has helped to create a sense of pride and identity among many Africans. This sense of pride has led to the development of new social and political movements, which are working to improve the lives of all Tanzanians.

The construction of nation and race in urban Tanzania is a complex and contested process. The constructions of nation and race have had a profound impact on the lives of urban Tanzanians, both positive and negative. As Tanzania continues to develop, it will be important to address the challenges posed by nation and race. This will require a commitment to equality and justice, and it will require the participation of all Tanzanians.

References

1. Anderson, Benedict. Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism. London: Verso, 1983.
2. Brenner, Robert. "The Economics of Global Urbanization." In The Global Cities Reader, edited by Saskia Sassen. London: Routledge, 2006.
3. Cooper, Frederick. Africa since 1940: The Past and the Present. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002.
4. Hansen, Thomas Blom. "Urban Violence and Contested National Spaces: The Case of Tanzania." In Urban Violence in Africa: Crime, Identity, and Political Mobilization, edited by David M. Anderson and Richard Rathbone. Leiden: Brill, 2000.
5. Mamdani, Mahmood. Citizen and Subject: Contemporary Africa and the Legacy of Late Colonialism. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1996.
6. Mbembe, Achille. On the Postcolony. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2001.
7. Parsons, Neil. New African Histories: The Early Colonial Period in Tanzania. London: Routledge, 2003.
8. Ranger, Terence. Peasant Consciousness and Guerrilla War in Zimbabwe: A Comparative Study. London: Heinemann, 1985.
9. Sassen, Saskia. The Global City: New York, London, Tokyo. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1991.
10. Simone, AbdouMaliq. In Whose Image? Political Islam and Urban Practices in Sudan. Chicago: University of Chicago Press

Taifa: Making Nation and Race in Urban Tanzania (New African Histories)

by Shaun Attwood

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3390 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	304 pages

FREE