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

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 April 2014

Paul J. Lane
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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 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 archéologues.

Type
Labor History and Africa
Information
History in Africa , Volume 41 , June 2014 , pp. 277 - 306
Copyright
Copyright © African Studies Association 2014 

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