article
Labour emigration among the Moçambique Thonga: comments on a study by Marvin Harris
Africa • 30 (2) • Published In 1960 • Pages: 141-152
By: Rita-Ferreira, A. (António).
Abstract
This article is a response to Marvin Harris's previous paper on factors which led to the conversion of the Thonga from autonomous smallholder farmers to vulnerable wage workers. While Harris attributes this transformation to gender and power relations within the family (notably the traditional subordinate position of the younger brothers within Thonga socioeconomic hierarchy), the present article focuses on cultural duties expected of family members. More precisely, the paper locates this transformation in broad characteristic features of Thonga society including the expectation that family members and relatives are 'entitled of right not only to hospitality but also to gifts of various kinds and to labor assistance.' The article discusses how these shared virtues serve both as a push and pool factors for cyclical migration. In other words, availability of labor help made it easy for household heads to migrate while the obligation to give gifts and assist others forced migrants to come back.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2010
- Region
- Africa
- Sub Region
- Southern Africa
- Document Type
- article
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Anthropologist
- Document Rating
- 4: Excellent Secondary Data
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Teferi Abate Adem; 2010
- Field Date
- no date
- Coverage Date
- 1890-1960
- Coverage Place
- Thonga villages in Mozambique and South Africa
- Notes
- A. Rita-Ferreira
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 150-151)
- LCCN
- 29010790
- LCSH
- Tsonga (African peoples)