Infrastructures of Migrant Labour in Colonial Ovamboland, 1915 to 1954

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Infrastructures of Migrant Labour in Colonial Ovamboland, 1915 to 1954
Description: Most research on the migrant labour system in Namibia under South African colonial rule emphasises its dehumanising aspects. In a complete contrast, this study highlights the social and ritual resources that contract workers and their families in colonial Ovamboland mobilised to provide forms of support and connection across great distances and absences. Based on extensive oral research, this study peels back the layers of intangible infrastructure that sustained migrant workers through all the stages of their contract, including observances around workplace deaths. This thesis vividly demonstrates the persistence of older practices that sustained the bonds of life, fellowship and family under stress, as well as adaptation to new colonial system, such as the postal system.
Authors: Lovisa Nampala, Patricia Hayes
Resource Type: eBook.
Subjects: Contract labor
Categories: SOCIAL SCIENCE / Cultural & Ethnic Studies / General
Database: eBook Academic Collection (EBSCOhost)
Description
Abstract:Most research on the migrant labour system in Namibia under South African colonial rule emphasises its dehumanising aspects. In a complete contrast, this study highlights the social and ritual resources that contract workers and their families in colonial Ovamboland mobilised to provide forms of support and connection across great distances and absences. Based on extensive oral research, this study peels back the layers of intangible infrastructure that sustained migrant workers through all the stages of their contract, including observances around workplace deaths. This thesis vividly demonstrates the persistence of older practices that sustained the bonds of life, fellowship and family under stress, as well as adaptation to new colonial system, such as the postal system.
ISBN:9783906927473
9783906927480