Infrastructures of Migrant Labour in Colonial Ovamboland, 1915 To 1954 / Lovisa T. Nampala, foreword by Patricia Hayes.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Nampala, Lovisa, author.

Contributor:

Hayes, Patricia, writer of foreword.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Contract labor.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (146 pages)

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Basler Afrika Bibliographien 2023

Basel, Switzerland : Basler Afrika Bibliographien, [2023]

Summary:

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.

Contents:

Front cover

Title page

Copyright

Dedication

Basel Namibia Studies Series

Contents

Foreword

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Historiographical Currents

Sources, Methods and the Structure of the Book

1 Preparation and Arrangements for a Man Leaving on Okaholo

Egumbo omukulukadhi

Onghuta yomunakaholo

Tramping to Ondangwa

Aanakaholo Accommodation in Uukwambi and at Ondangwa

Aanakaholo pOndangwa

Returning and Arrival of Aanamoonda

Ina mu ka lya Uulekenisa? Ngandi or Ntumba okwe ya po

Conclusion

2 Recruitment Procedure, Medical Examination and Okaholo

Oofolomana at Omutete Site

"Ngee nge ito lidula noushimba ito u mono"

How the Migrant Community Widely Accepted Recruitment Procedures

Okaholo? What did it signify?

3 Lodging, Rations, Sanitation and Industrial Mortality

Rations and Sanitation in Compounds

Housing and Rations on Farms and other Sectors

Sanitation on Farms and other Industrial Sectors

Mortality in Migrant Labour

Impact of Andreas' Death on other Workers and Family back home

4 Technology and the Contract Labour System

Remittances

Early days of the Post Office in Ovamboland

Ovambo Communities and Postal Services

Who writes or reads oontumwafo?

5 Conclusion

List of Illustrations

Abbreviations of frequently used Archival References

Bibliography

Index

Back cover.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9783906927480

3906927482