Research Repository :: Browsing by Author "Mesaki, Simeon"

Browsing by Author "Mesaki, Simeon"

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Artisanal Fisher Migration Patterns in Coastal East Africa
(Elsevier, 2016-01) Wanyonyi, Innocent N.; Wamukota, Andrew; Mesaki, Simeon; Guissamulo, Almeida T.
Migration is a feature of most small-scale ﬁsheries across the world and has previously been described inspatial and temporal terms. This study assessed spatial and temporal migration patterns of ﬁshers inKenya, Tanzania, and Mozambique from October 2009 to March 2010 covering important migrant ﬁ shersdestinations on the coast. The concentrations, ﬁshing destinations, routes, frequency as well as sea-sonality of migrant ﬁshers in each of the countries were assessed using 192 surveys at 9 sites and 127semi-structured interviews at 25 sites. Migrations in Kenya and Tanzania were mainly seasonal while inMozambique circular migrations were common and lasted far longer. Fishers from Pemba, Unguja andNampula were the most experienced migrant ﬁshers in terms of the numbers involved and their abilityto migrate to distant destinations. The region is likely to experience increasing inﬂuxes of migrant ﬁshersdue to increasing ﬁ sher numbers, ﬁsheries governance, and other factors that provide an environmentconducive to migration. The small scales of operation of the local co-management structures, the lack ofmonitoring ability and the limited knowledge about activities of migrant ﬁshers requires a sharedregional approach in terms of ﬁsheries management with speciﬁc attention to issues concerning migrantﬁshers.
The Birth of the “Salon”: Poverty, Modernization and Dealing with Witchcraft in Southern Tanzania
(Wiley, 2005) Green, Maia; Mesaki, Simeon
In this article, we explore the social process of modernization through an examination of the transformation in the delivery of antiwitchcraft services that has occurred in southern Tanzania under the pervasive influence of transnational ideoscapes of market liberalization and public-sector reform. We argue that the anthropological association of witchcraft with the modern in Africa overlooks witchcraft's explicitly unmodern associations in popular discourse and state policy. These latter associations contrast with the practice of antiwitchcraft specialists who seek to enable the realization of modernity both through dealing with witchcraft and through the self-conscious adoption of specifically modernizing practices.
The Development Activities, Values and Performance of Non-Governmental and Faith-Based Organizations in Magu and Newala Districts, Tanzania
(2010) Green, Maia; Mercer, Claire; Mesaki, Simeon
In Tanzania, a 'civil society sector' with roles in governance and development is a recent, largely externally-driven phenomenon superimposed on previously existing social and religious organizations. Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) are imagined to be 'close to the poor' and therefore better at implementing 'development' activities and playing a role in democratization. This study examined the position and role of religious organizations within a wider range of CSOs at the local level in two rural districts (Magu, prosperous, largely Christian and Newala, remote, poor, largely Muslim), to assess whether faith-based organizations play a significant and distinctive role in development.
The Distribution and Socio-Economic Aspects of Mangrove Forests in Tanzania
(1986) Mainoya, J. R.; Mesaki, Simeon; Banyikwa, Feetham F.
Mangrove vegetation is characteristic of sheltered coastlines in the tropics. Mangrove communities are extensive in protected shallow bays and estuaries, around lagoons, and on the leeward side of peninsulas and islands. In Tanzania mangrove forests occur on the sheltered shores of deltas, alongside river estuaries, and in creeks where there is an abundance of fine-grained sediment (silt and clay) in the upper part of the inter-tidal zone.
Factors Affecting Sustainability Of Wetland Agriculture Within Lake Victoria Basin In Uganda
(2008) Kyarisiima, C. C.; Nalukenge, I.; Kariuki, W.; Mesaki, Simeon
In recent years, the high rate of conversion of wetlands for agriculture has raised environmental concerns in Uganda. A study was therefore conducted to identify issues that need to be addressed if communities are to continue deriving livelihoods from wetland agriculture, without causing stress to the wetlands of Lake Victoria basin. This was done by conducting household surveys and focus group discussions in two of the districts that border Lake Victoria. Wetland agriculture was found to be a significant source of livelihoods for resource poor communities, contributing over 60% of the household income. Farming was mainly done at a subsistence level. The study found that socio economic factors, poor farming practices and weak policies were contributing to the rapid conversion of wetlands. Concerted efforts need to be made by government institutions to sensitize communities on conservation of wetlands. Some of the policies need to be harmonized to avoid contradictions. Alternative sources of livelihoods must be created to ensure socio economic benefits and environmental conservation.
Faith in Forms: Civil Society Evangelism and Development in Tanzania
(Taylor and Francis, 2012) Green, Maia; Mercer, Claire; Mesaki, Simeon
This paper examines the position and role of religious organisations within a wider range of civil society organisations (CSOs) in two districts in Tanzania. We argue that where development agendas are externally generated and civil society is driven by supply-side factors, religious organisations are not very different from other CSOs. Whether faith adherence and religious values and beliefs lead to different kinds of development outcomes is open to question, partly because most Tanzanians claim some kind of religious motivation and partly because there are probably very few institutional settings in which religious attitudes do not have some kind of influence.
The Integrated Assessment of Organic Agriculture in Tanzania Policy Options for Promoting Production and Trading Opportunities for Organic Agriculture
(2007) Mella, Esther E.; Kulindwa, Kassim; Shechambo, Fanuel; Mesaki, Simeon
This report presents an Integrated Assessment of organic agriculture (OA) in Tanzania, with cashew nut, honey and coffee as case studies of organically produced crops. It is intended to provide a justification for more policy support to OA sub-sector. The study is part of a wider East African programme supported by UNEP-UNCTAD-Capacity Building Task Force (CBTF) on Trade, Environment and Development to promote organic agriculture production and trade. ENVIROCARE1 is facilitating the implementation of the project in Tanzania under the overall guidance of the Tanzania Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives.
Julius Nyerere's Influence and Legacy
(2011) Mesaki, Simeon; Malipula, Mrisho
By far, the greatest and startling religious news of this century from East Africa has been the unravelling of the complicated process towards canonization and possible papal declaration of Julius Nyerere, a Catholic saint. Both the political and religious worlds have joined ranks to make sure that the former president of Tanzania is beatified, an intriguing event surrounded by controversy. This paper reports in detail the core values and contribution to Tanzania’s nation building efforts of this exceptional African statesman but questions his proposed candidacy for sainthood.
Livelihood Opportunities Through Informal Housing in the New Capital City of Dodoma, Tanzania
(2011) Makalle, Albinus M. P.; Mesaki, Simeon; Victor, Martern A.
Between March 2008 and March 2009 we conducted a desk study and field work on informal and low cost housing endeavours undertaken by building artisans in the new capital city of Dodoma in Tanzania. The study focused on the livelihood opportunities that can be derived from the informal housing building sub-sector as semi-skilled artisans’ grapple with the realities of unmet housing needs of the designated capital city of Tanzania. The argument is that there is a market for construction of low-cost housing in informal settlements in the new capital city even though these settlements are beset with problems of lack of legal tenure, poor infrastructure and sanitation. It is further argued that informal construction work offers possibilities for employment and income earning for semi-skilled artisans. It was felt that a detailed study of informal housing building would provide a better understanding of the key factors and trends affecting the livelihood opportunities of people in the sub-sector and the expectation was that the findings would enlighten on the phenomenon and stimulate policy debates on how the sub-sector can be developed sustainably considering the fate of those concerned. The results show that the subsector could contribute immensely in the construction of the new capital city as well as improving the livelihoods of the practitioners if only they were well organised in cooperatives, enabled capacity-wise and training and given legal recognition.
Witchcraft and the Law in Tanzania
(Academic Journals, 2009) Mesaki, Simeon
Witchcraft is a topical subject and an intriguing phenomenon in Africa. Thriving on belief systems it baffles and confronts ruling elites with dilemmas on how to deal with it. Tanzania experiences grim consequences by the entrenchment of witchcraft in the country including social exclusion, expulsion and even murder of alleged witches. The legal system copes inadequately with the challenges of witchcraft because it does not accept the reality of witchcraft and the colonial inherited law is a blunt instrument in dealing with the problem. This article charts the history of the law on witchcraft in Tanzania and concludes that witchcraft beliefs are too strong to be driven out by legal methods and instead advocates for the removal of ignorance by introducing a scientific view of the world through [mass] education.
Witchcraft and Witch-Killings in Tanzania: Paradox and Dilemma
(1993) Mesaki, Simeon
This dissertation is about the origins, historical development and current manifestations of witchcraft belief and practice in Africa, especially Tanzania. Witchcraft is examined as a socially constructed system of meaning and action which confront ruling elites with paradox and dilemma. These contradictions are rooted in colonialism. Colonial rulers regarded witchcraft as evidence of backwardness. They strove to suppress it through law and acculturation but with little success. Instead, Africans joined popular anti-witchcraft movements to cleanse their communities. Although the rulers condemned these movements and other traditional means of combating witchcraft, they recognized their necessity in maintaining social order. Thus they adopted a policy of "watchful tolerance" towards witchcraft cleansing. Post-colonial elites are caught in similar but more exquisite dilemma. If they admit that witchcraft exists and seek ways to control it, they contradict modernity. Denying witchcraft deprives the state of official instruments of control. If they acknowledge traditional witch-cleansers they reinforce witchcraft beliefs and assail modernization. Outlawing witch-cleansing, drives it into a form of popular movements which contravenes state authority. Tanzania provides an especially poignant case of such dilemmas. Tanzanians have built a secular and socialist state, progressing in the delivery of essential services. But they remain beset with witchcraft practices and beliefs which contradict socialist ideals of living, working and advancing together. Their programs of economic development and "villagization" counter some material and social causes of witchcraft but promote yet others. The dissertation deals with these conditions of dilemma among Tanzanians generally and then among one ethnic group, the Sukuma, specifically. Witchcraft is manifested dramatically in the apparent murder of Sukuma witches. This phenomenon is investigated and its distinguishing characteristics delineated. It is explained as a function of the cosmology of the residents, failure of the state to grapple with witchcraft, and the progressive commercialization of detection and execution of alleged witches. The future of witchcraft in Tanzania is projected. Witchcraft will likely continue as a culturally constructed meaning system because the contributing factors to it prevail and state authorities remain unable to change the system or escape its dilemmas.

Browsing by Author "Mesaki, Simeon"

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