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Introduction: the urban–rural connection: changing issues of belonging and identification

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 December 2011

Peter Geschiere  and
Josef Gugler
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Extract

Since the 1960s researchers have emphasised the continuing importance of rural–urban connections as a special aspect of urbanisation in Africa. It is clear that since then, in many parts of Africa, the involvement of urbanites with their ‘home’ village has increased rather than decreased. Four of the articles in this issue were originally papers presented at two ASA panels (Toronto, 1994) which set out to explore these rural–urban connections. The content of the exchanges and the moral involvement of city people and villagers in such relations vary greatly. The variations have important implications for regional differences in, for instance, the development of new modes of accumulation or the cementing of ethnic networks. The other article (by Dickson Eyoh) addresses the effects of recent political changes in this context—a theme also raised by the other articles. In many parts of Africa democratisation seems to evoke an obsession with ‘autochthony’, origin and belonging. The increasing role of elite associations, as an alternative to multi-party politics, makes the rural connection of vital importance to urban politicians. Hence ‘the village’, and more generally the region of origin, acquire new importance as a power base in national politics.

Résumé

Depuis les années 60, les chercheurs soulignent l'importance constante des liens entre la ville et la campagne dans le processus d'urbanisation en Afrique. II est clair que depuis cette période les liens que les citadins entretiennent avec leur village natal ont augmenté dans de nombreuses régions d'Afrique. Quatre articles publiés dans ce numéro sont des papiers qui ont été présentés devant deux commissions ASA (à Toronto en 1994) chargées d'étudier ces liens entre la ville et la campagne. Le contenu des échanges et la part morale jouée par les citadins et les villageois dans ces liens varient considérablement. Les conséquences de ces variations sont importantes quant aux différences régionales observées dans le domaine, par exemple, du développement de nouveaux modes de rapprochement ou de consolidation des réseaux ethniques. L'autre article (par Dickson Eyoh) évoque les conséquences des changements politiques récents dans ce domaine, thème également soulevé par les autres articles. Dans de nombreuses régions d'Afrique, la démocratisation semble susciter une obsession pour l'“autochtonie”, l'origine et l'appartenance. Le rôle croissant des associations élitaires comme substitut du pluripartisme politique donne aux rapports avec la campagne une importance vitale aux yeux des politiciens urbains. Le village, et plus généralement la région d'origine, revêt ainsi une nouvelle importance en tant que base politique nationale.

Type
Introduction
Information
Africa , Volume 68 , Issue 3: The Politics of Primary Patriotism , July 1998 , pp. 309 - 319
Copyright
Copyright © International African Institute 1998

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