4 - Narrating National Identity. Fiction, Citizenship and the Asian Experience in East Africa*
Corresponding Author(s) : Danson Kahyana
Africa Development,
Vol. 28 No. 1-2 (2003): Africa Development: Special Issue on 'Globalization and Citizenship in Africa'
Abstract
The paper examines the crucial question of postcolonial identity in East African nation states, with particular reference to the Asian experience in East Africa. It attempts an examination of the conflict between citizenship and descent, par ticularly as regards the identity of East African Asians. It argues that descent and race are considered more important identity markers than citizenship in postcolonial East Africa, a distinction that has continued to frustrate attempts at building a multi-racial/multi-cultural society. Among other factors, the paper traces British colonial practices, for instance, the construction of a three-tiered society where Whites occupied the top seats, the Indians the middle ones and the Africans the lowest, as furthering a complex social structure and exacerbat ing conflict situations. The paper explores the various ways through which citi zenship and descent conflict has affected and influenced, policies and pronounce ments on Asian identity in East Africa.
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- Dawood, Y.K., 1991, Water under the Bridge, Nairobi: Longhom.
- Dawood, Y.K., 2000, Return to Paradise, Nairobi: EastAfrican Educational Publications.
- Pain, D., 1975, 'The Nubians: their perceived stratification system and its rela tion to the Asian issue,' In M. Twaddle, ed., Expulsion of a Minority: Essays on Ugandan Asians, London: The Anthlone Press.
- Seidenberg, D.A., 1983, Uhuru and the Kenya Indians: The Raie of a Minority Community in Kenya /939-1963, New Delhi and Nairobi: Vikas Publishing House. Simatei, T., 2001, The Novel and the Politics of Nation Building in East Africa,Bayreuth: Beyreuth University.
- Singh, J., 1973, 'Sweet Scum ofFreedom,' In G. Henderson, ed., African Thea tre, London: Heinemann.
- Theroux, P., 1967, Hating the Asians,' Transition, 33 (7).
- Tribe, M.A., 1975, 'Economie Aspects of the Expulsion of Asians from Uganda,' In M. Twaddle, ed., Expulsion of A Minority: Essays on Ugandan Asians, London: The Anthlone Press.
- Trotsky, L., 1960, Literature and Revolution, translated by R. Strunsky,AnnArbor, Michigan: University of Michigan Press.
- Voet, R., 1998, Feminism and Citizenship, London: Sage.
- Vassanji, M.G., 1989, The Gunny Sack, Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann. Wa Thiongo, Ngugi, 1964, Weep Not, Child, Nairobi: Heinemann.
- Wa Thiongo, Ngugi, 1982, Devi! on the Cross, Nairobi: Heinemann
- Wa Thiongo, Ngugi, 1997, 'Literature and Society: The Politics of the Canon!', In N. Wa Thiongo, ed., Writers in Politics: A Re-engagement with Issues of Uterature and Society, Second Edition, Oxford: James Currey.
References
Dawood, Y.K., 1991, Water under the Bridge, Nairobi: Longhom.
Dawood, Y.K., 2000, Return to Paradise, Nairobi: EastAfrican Educational Publications.
Pain, D., 1975, 'The Nubians: their perceived stratification system and its rela tion to the Asian issue,' In M. Twaddle, ed., Expulsion of a Minority: Essays on Ugandan Asians, London: The Anthlone Press.
Seidenberg, D.A., 1983, Uhuru and the Kenya Indians: The Raie of a Minority Community in Kenya /939-1963, New Delhi and Nairobi: Vikas Publishing House. Simatei, T., 2001, The Novel and the Politics of Nation Building in East Africa,Bayreuth: Beyreuth University.
Singh, J., 1973, 'Sweet Scum ofFreedom,' In G. Henderson, ed., African Thea tre, London: Heinemann.
Theroux, P., 1967, Hating the Asians,' Transition, 33 (7).
Tribe, M.A., 1975, 'Economie Aspects of the Expulsion of Asians from Uganda,' In M. Twaddle, ed., Expulsion of A Minority: Essays on Ugandan Asians, London: The Anthlone Press.
Trotsky, L., 1960, Literature and Revolution, translated by R. Strunsky,AnnArbor, Michigan: University of Michigan Press.
Voet, R., 1998, Feminism and Citizenship, London: Sage.
Vassanji, M.G., 1989, The Gunny Sack, Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann. Wa Thiongo, Ngugi, 1964, Weep Not, Child, Nairobi: Heinemann.
Wa Thiongo, Ngugi, 1982, Devi! on the Cross, Nairobi: Heinemann
Wa Thiongo, Ngugi, 1997, 'Literature and Society: The Politics of the Canon!', In N. Wa Thiongo, ed., Writers in Politics: A Re-engagement with Issues of Uterature and Society, Second Edition, Oxford: James Currey.