Human Porterage and Colonial State Formation in German East Africa, 1880s-1914: Tensions of Transport

This book explores the role of caravan transport and human porterage in the colony of German East Africa, shedding light on the contradictions of colonial rule and the resilience of African modes of transport. It examines the shifting role of caravans during the era of 'high imperialism' and how porters and caravan entrepreneurs challenged and shaped colonial policymaking.

Format: Hardback
Length: 271 pages
Publication date: 08 November 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This captivating book delves into the intricate realm of caravan transport and human porterage in the colonial colony of German East Africa, which encompasses present-day mainland Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi. During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, caravan mobility played a crucial role in the establishment and maintenance of colonial rule, making it an essential subject of study. By examining the governance of vernacular transport during this period, the author sheds light on the complex trajectories of colonial statehood.

The author addresses a range of critical questions, including the remarkable resilience of Africans to colonial interventions, the challenges of labor recruitment, and the volatility of colonial infrastructure. This book unveils a fundamental contradiction in the approach of German administrators towards precolonial modes of transport in East Africa. While colonizers advocated for the abolition of caravan transport, they heavily relied on porters in the absence of pack animals or railways.

To explore this contradiction, the author delves into the shifting role of caravans in East Africa during the era of "high imperialism." By examining the interactions between porters and caravan entrepreneurs, the book sheds light on the extent to which these individuals challenged and shaped colonial policymaking. This insightful work provides valuable insights for historians interested in the German Empire, African history, the history of transport and infrastructure, and the broader dynamics of colonialism and globalization.

Weight: 496g
Dimension: 153 x 218 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030894696
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022