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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:European Colonial Rule and the Transformation of Eritrean Rural Life
Author:Gebre-Medhin, Jordon
Year:1983
Periodical:Horn of Africa
Volume:6
Issue:2
Pages:50-60
Language:English
Geographic terms:Eritrea
Italy
Subjects:farmers
colonialism
dual economy
History and Exploration
Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups)
Abstract:Pre-colonial Eritrea was overwhelmingly rural, yet the effect of capitalist colonialism on the rural peasant society is rarely studied. The present article examines the peasant question and socio-economic and organisational change during the colonial period as basic elements in an understanding of Eritrean nationalism. Section 1 looks at the Italian impact on Eritrean labour and illustrates the process of commoditization of labour through the examples of alienation of land, the building of communication infrastructures, and the introduction of military services. Section 2 discusses the actual process of disintegration of the traditional production relations and the resultant economic and political radicalization of the peasant population. The final section deals with the generalization of peasant revolts and with feudal Ethiopia's attempt to weaken Eritrea's resolve for independence by sowing ideological discord among the peasant masses. Ref.
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