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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Working on the field: land, State and community in the 'northern border' (Ethiopia-Eritrea 19th-20th century)
Author:Taddia, IrmaISNI
Year:2010
Periodical:Africa: rivista trimestrale di studi e documentazione (ISSN 0001-9747)
Volume:65
Issue:1-4
Pages:23-39
Language:English
Geographic terms:Eritrea
Ethiopia
Subjects:land tenure
customary law
State-society relationship
Abstract:This article discusses insights derived from the author's field research on land tenure in the Ethiopian/Eritrean border area. She argues that land tenure in the area has usually been examined from an institutional perspective, focusing on family or 'rest' land, State or 'gult' land and Church or 'rim' land. Her own focus of research has shifted towards the 'dessa' system, a pattern of communal land tenure. According to this system land was redistributed - usually every seven years - among village members. Information on this type of customary land tenure was collected mainly on the basis of oral sources. The author argues that the institution of 'dessa' was an instrument to preserve power and autonomy vis-à-vis rulers and the State. She pays particular attention to State interference in customary land rights in the Säraé area. Notes, ref., sum. in French and Italian. [ASC Leiden abstract]
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