Violence in Rural South Africa, 1880-1963

Violence was endemic to rural South African society from the late nineteenth century to the mid-twentieth century, but it was not inherent in African culture. Sean Redding investigates the rise of large-scale lethal fights among men, coercive abduction marriages, violent acts resulting from domestic troubles and witchcraft accusations, and political violence against state policies and officials. His use of multiple court cases and documents provides a richer context for the scholarly conversation about the legitimation of violence in traditions, family life, and political protest.

Format: Hardback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 21 February 2023
Publisher: University of Wisconsin Press

From the late 19th century to the mid-20th century, violence was a pervasive feature of rural South African society. However, it is important to note that violence was not an inherent aspect of African culture. Instead, violence emerged as a consequence of the complex social and political landscape imposed by white rule. In his study, Sean Redding delves into the rise of large-scale lethal fights among men, the coercive practice of abduction marriages, violent acts stemming from domestic disputes, and witchcraft accusations within families and communities. Moreover, Redding examines political violence against state policies and officials in the Eastern Cape province.

Many violent acts were undertaken with the intention of restoring and reinforcing a moral, social, and political order among Africans. However, the definition of what constituted a moral order underwent a significant transformation as white governance became more intrusive, land became scarce, and people reconstructed their notions of "traditional" culture. State policies became barriers that Africans had to navigate, often by invoking the concept of tradition, utilizing the state's court system, alleging the use of witchcraft, or engaging in violent threats and acts. Redding's use of multiple court cases and documents to discuss various forms of violence provides a more comprehensive context for the scholarly discourse on the legitimacy of violence in traditions, family life, and political protest.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780299341206
Edition number: New ed