Engendering the history of pottery industry in Tanzania a comparative study on the Kisi and Pare, 1930 – 2000
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Date
2015
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Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
The study investigates the history of pottery industry in Tanzania from 1930 to 2000
from a gender perspective using a comparative case study approach. The main objective has been to engender history of pottery industry among the Kisi of Southern Highland along Lake Nyasa and the Pare of Northeast Highland of Tanzania by examining the social, economic and technological changes on pottery industry as well as its gendered impact. The two groups have been selected on the basis of their impressive records on pottery making from the pre-colonial period to the present. In attempting to achieve the study objectives, qualitative research instruments including interview, observation and archival as well as consultation of the secondary data were used in collecting information presented in this thesis. Overall, study findings reveal that since time immemorial, women were consistently making substantial contributions to the development of pottery production in the two communities. More specifically, the study findings indicate that through learning and control of major aspects of pottery production and subsequent income from pottery sales, women were changing their social position within the community and changing the economic position of their families. On the other hand, men’s engagement with the pottery industry was sporadic, and highly determined by
economic gains accruing from various pottery making processes. The study also shows that although both men and women played important gender roles in the pottery industry between 1930 and 2000, women’s roles were more taxing and crucial as they engaged more in adapting changes according to the changing socioeconomic and technological aspects than those of men.
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Chagula Library, Class mark Dr. Wilbert (THS EAF HD9618.T34M73)
Keywords
Pottery industry, Kisi, 1930-2000, Pare, History, Tanzania
Citation
Mteti, S.H. (2015) Engendering the history of pottery industry in Tanzania a comparative study on the Kisi and Pare, 1930 – 2000, Doctoral dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam