Movements, Borders, and Identities in Africa (review)

This useful compilation of research papers joins the increasing number of studies on migration, resettlement and identity formation, and contributes admirably to the literature on trans-border relations. In their introduction the editors emphasize that migration was, and continues to be, central to the ever-changing scope, shape and nature of human communities in the history of Africa: ‘the book provides a broad but insightful overview of the subject of migrations, and the varying impact of slavery, commerce, gender, religion, colonialism, poverty, and development of states and societies on the continent, most especially in the last two centuries’ (p. 1).

The introduction provides a useful survey of the literature on the pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial eras of African history, using the conventional periodization in African studies. However the survey of the colonial period is much too brief and will not help less advanced students to comprehend the problems of this period. On the other hand the introduction provides a very helpful overview of the studies in the collection, organized into thirteen chapters presented in two parts. Part A is focused on ‘State formation and migration crossroads’ (chapters 1–5). Part B is titled ‘Movements and identities’ (chapters 6–13).

The studies in Part A examine issues in understanding the construction and reconstruction of Yoruba ethnic identities. Taken as a set of studies chapters 1–5 (pp. 37–150) use multiple social science disciplines – oral histories, archaeological evidence, material culture, sociological analysis and architecture – to re-examine origins of ethnic identity, patterns of migration and settlement, warfare, the influence of repatriated slaves and religious beliefs in an effort to evaluate the major components of and influences upon Yoruba ethnicity from ancient to more recent eras. The studies are based on extensive original research together with substantial documentation from other scholarly work and are enhanced by excellent maps, diagrams and photographs. These chapters demonstrate that internal borderlands are just as important to examine as the more usually studied transnational boundaries of the independent African states.

Part B (pp. 153–303) contains a more varied geographical selection of studies, although scholars of Nigeria will be interested in Chapter 8 on the Hausa diaspora in the Gold Coast and Chapter 11 on Yoruba settlements in Dahomey/ Republic of Benin. The former study focuses on traders, slaves and soldiers who were identified as Hausa because of their spoken language, their geographical origin, their religion, or their affiliation with economic or social networks. More than half of the chapter examines the participation of Hausa men recruited by the British for the Gold Coast Constabulary (later the West African Frontier Force). Many of the Hausa remained in the Gold Coast, established settlements known as zongo, and helped to spread Islam in the colony. In Chapter 11 the author demonstrates how Yoruba identity and affiliation with ‘ancestral cities’ change over time and in response to new social and economic circumstances. Yoruba settlers in Dahomey/Republic of Benin during different periods of migration have adopted distinctive methods of fulfilling their needs and maintaining their ethnic identity.

The remaining chapters in Part B involve several non-Nigerian communities. Chapter 6 takes up the issue of ‘illegal’ settlements in South Africa, a product of rural migrants who seek work near urban areas – in this case study the creation of Mamelodi, an adjunct to Pretoria. The author likens the shape and organization of Mamelodi and other such settlements to rural villages: ‘It could well be that such ancient and collective memories are the major forces shaping informal settlements’ (p. 162). The author supports the argument by the use of excellent illustrations. Two chapters (7 and 12) focus on very different kinds of settlement and identity issues in Kenya. Chapter 7 examines the all too common problem of displacement due to colonial conquest. The Jo-Ugenya, who resisted imperial rule, were forced off their land and hoped one day to return, but were only partially successful after Kenyan independence...