AfricaBib 
bibliographic database
| Previous page | New search |
The free AfricaBib App for Android is available here
 Book chapter |
 Leiden University catalogue |
 WorldCat |
| Title: | Labour, coercion and migration in early colonial Kenya |
| Author: | Zeleza, Tiyambe |
| Book title: | Forced Labour and Migration: Patterns of Movement within Africa |
| Year: | 1989 |
| Pages: | 159-179 |
| Language: | English |
| Geographic terms: | Kenya United Kingdom |
| Subjects: | colonialism forced labour labour migration |
| Abstract: | In this paper, the author discusses the scope, dynamics and contradictions of forced labour and migration in early colonial Kenya, arguing that, in discussing the colonial labour process, attention should be paid both to forms of control and resistance. In the early colonial period, the practice of forced labour was widespread, but there was limited formal subordination of labour and, as yet, no real subordination. This was not because the colonial State was not authoritarian enough, but because worker resistance was pervasive. Worker resistance was inspired by both specific conditions at the places of work and the diffuse but no less compelling forces at work in the wider society. As a result of resistance against forced labour, squatter and migrant labour systems developed. Different patterns of labour migration emerged depending upon the nature of the penetration of capitalism in each area, the particular political reorganization of each area, and local cultural and social traditions. These different patterns of migration resulted in the establishment of different types of household. A squatter household was coresidential, while the household of the urban worker was structured by its income-pooling functions. Notes, ref. |