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Browsing College of Humanities by Subject "1890-1963"

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    Socio-cultural setting, Political Dynamics and provision of Social Welfare in Colonial Zanzibar , 1890-1963
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2020) Ali, Mkubwa Shaali
    This study analyses the influence of socio- cultural and political dynamics in shaping the development of social welfare services in colonial Zanzibar. It was inspired by notable research gaps in the extant literature on the provision of colonial social welfare. The existing literature is silent on how the socio-cultural and political dynamics influenced colonial social welfare and how the local population reacted to it. In an attempt to fill the gaps , the study uses a multidimensional conceptual approach and employs the qualitative method of data collection and analysis. This study argues that the dynamics driving the colonial state, the pre-existing waqf institution and the traditional social welfare practices in Zanzibar society greatly influenced the provision of colonial social welfare. The colonial government ‘s early interventions were mostly influenced by the laissez-fair policy, and they did not involve any significant initiatives to develop social welfare as it is conventionally known. The introduction of colonial development Act in 1929 saw the colonial state abandoning its laissez-faire policy, but this Act fell short of addressing the basic social welfare problems. The subsequent introduction of a colonial development and welfare Act in 1940 was a turning point in the development of social welfare as the Act support a number of social welfare initiatives. The state also intervened directly in the Waqf institution, which negatively altered its traditional role in welfare provision. Colonial welfare policies and practices also shaped the pre-existing inter-racial relations. There was also active agency of local communities in shaping the development of social welfare. The study adds new knowledge to the historiography of social welfare in Africa by bringing together socio-cultural and political forces and showing their interplay in shaping welfare policy and practices.