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TRADITIONAL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND IDENTITY FORMATION IN TRANSCULTURAL IRINGA RURAL DISTRICT, IRINGA, TANZANIA

Chawe, Suzan Nicholas LU (2021) SANM03 20211
Department of Sociology
Social Anthropology
Abstract
This thesis explores two interrelated issues when it comes to traditional alcohol in Tanzania and its day-to-day activities: identity formation and local economic life. Given the fact that drinking traditional alcohol in Africa is an intrinsic part of social life, it becomes an object in the articulation of diversity, coexistence, and preservation of identity. The study presents women as nodes through their activities at home and the market. It follows women who produce traditional alcoholic beverages as well as consumers within the localities where the female informants live.
Rather than focus on historicity, the study looks at everyday situations where alcohol is produced and consumed, and the meaning attached in each context. Broadly... (More)
This thesis explores two interrelated issues when it comes to traditional alcohol in Tanzania and its day-to-day activities: identity formation and local economic life. Given the fact that drinking traditional alcohol in Africa is an intrinsic part of social life, it becomes an object in the articulation of diversity, coexistence, and preservation of identity. The study presents women as nodes through their activities at home and the market. It follows women who produce traditional alcoholic beverages as well as consumers within the localities where the female informants live.
Rather than focus on historicity, the study looks at everyday situations where alcohol is produced and consumed, and the meaning attached in each context. Broadly speaking, the analysis is based on social constructionism, but this is done using a two-tier approach, that is sharing and commodification, to understand the separate worlds of symbolism and commercialism. The study reveals that even though TABs are commercialized interlocutors still use TABs for traditional events, especially lifecycle events which involves close members of the community or kin. However, there has also been adaptation to modern economic system which is based on monetary exchange. As a result, the functions of TABs in private spaces at home holds a different meaning and function from that of the public spaces. In a multi-ethnic society, this leads to both convergence and divergence of ethnic and gender relations, with each context playing a different role.
The study’s data was gathered through ethnographic fieldwork, including participant observation and in-depth interviews. This enabled me to examine the negotiation and formation of ethnic and gender identities both at home and at clubs where TABs are sold. It also revealed that even though TABs are commodified in certain settings, they are still shared among close ones and used for ritual purposes in others. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Chawe, Suzan Nicholas LU
supervisor
organization
course
SANM03 20211
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Social Anthropology, Traditional Alcohol, Tanzania, Iringa, ethnicity, gender, identity, commodity, economy
language
English
id
9063810
date added to LUP
2021-08-25 22:53:06
date last changed
2021-09-10 07:42:54
@misc{9063810,
  abstract     = {{This thesis explores two interrelated issues when it comes to traditional alcohol in Tanzania and its day-to-day activities: identity formation and local economic life. Given the fact that drinking traditional alcohol in Africa is an intrinsic part of social life, it becomes an object in the articulation of diversity, coexistence, and preservation of identity. The study presents women as nodes through their activities at home and the market. It follows women who produce traditional alcoholic beverages as well as consumers within the localities where the female informants live.
Rather than focus on historicity, the study looks at everyday situations where alcohol is produced and consumed, and the meaning attached in each context. Broadly speaking, the analysis is based on social constructionism, but this is done using a two-tier approach, that is sharing and commodification, to understand the separate worlds of symbolism and commercialism. The study reveals that even though TABs are commercialized interlocutors still use TABs for traditional events, especially lifecycle events which involves close members of the community or kin. However, there has also been adaptation to modern economic system which is based on monetary exchange. As a result, the functions of TABs in private spaces at home holds a different meaning and function from that of the public spaces. In a multi-ethnic society, this leads to both convergence and divergence of ethnic and gender relations, with each context playing a different role.
The study’s data was gathered through ethnographic fieldwork, including participant observation and in-depth interviews. This enabled me to examine the negotiation and formation of ethnic and gender identities both at home and at clubs where TABs are sold. It also revealed that even though TABs are commodified in certain settings, they are still shared among close ones and used for ritual purposes in others.}},
  author       = {{Chawe, Suzan Nicholas}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{TRADITIONAL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND IDENTITY FORMATION IN TRANSCULTURAL IRINGA RURAL DISTRICT, IRINGA, TANZANIA}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}