early colonial rule - invention of tradition

Question 1

what did europeans expect to find when first colonising africa?

Answer 1

expected to find chiefs ruling tribes in african settlements - this was often not the case

Question 2

what is indirect rule?

Answer 2

local chiefs were established to rule for the europeans whether they had set them up or not - lack of direct european involvement

Question 3

what is a tribe?

Answer 3

a group of people with a shared language, culture and similar way of living without a formal means of government or structure

Question 4

how does ranger contest this definition?

Answer 4

because he argues tribes did not exist before europeans and were instead invented to fit their expectations and make indirect rule work

Question 5

what is customary law?

Answer 5

where europeans implemented their own laws to cater to their agendas and expectations of africa

Question 6

what is the problem with customary law?

Answer 6

suggests that europeans ‘invented’ african history by establishing laws and government - it is eurocentric

Question 7

which group created their own tribes to fit into the colonial framework? (John Iliffe)

Answer 7

the Tanganyikans