The Impact of Food Consumption Patterns on Identity: the Case of Zimbabwean Inbetweeners Living in the UK
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The Impact of Food Consumption Patterns on Identity: The Case of Zimbabwean Inbetweeners Living in the UK Thomas Magede A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the University of Wolverhampton for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy February 2021 This work or any part thereof has not previously been presented in any form to the University or to any other body whether for the purposes of assessment, publication or for any other purpose (unless otherwise indicated). Save for any express acknowledgements, references and/or bibliographies cited in the work, I confirm that the intellectual content of the work is the result of my own efforts and of no other person. The right of Thomas Magede to be identified as the author of this work is asserted in accordance with ss.77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. At this date, copyright is owned by the author. Signature: Thomas Magede Date: 15.03.21 Supervisory Team: Professor M. Haynes………………………… Dr J. Jones ……………………………………. i Abstract This study explores the concept of identity construction through food as exhibited by Zimbabwean inbetweener migrants in the UK. Literature was explored in relation to national identity, migration, consumer culture theory, consumer acculturation, diaspora theory, memory and nostalgia and food consumption and identity. The study used a qualitative research approach to address the issues under investigation. Interviews were used to collect data based on the understanding that food patterns and identity construction are context driven. The findings indicate that the food experiences of the Zimbabwean inbetweeners were specific to this group. Their food consumption patterns were found to be multi- dimensional. The thesis brings to the fore too, the dynamism of identity and food consumption practices. The food acculturation practices of the Zimbabwean inbetweener migrants showed three consumer acculturation strategies - rejection, adaptation and separation. These were chosen in response to the various challenges and environmental influences they had encountered as they settled in the UK. In the construction of a national identity in the UK, access to Zimbabwean foods, economic independence, the importance of family and the structured nature of British schools influenced how identity was expressed and constructed. The findings showed that food is a tool that the respondents used to contruct their identity, to develop and maintain relationships with family, friends, communities and general diasporan relationships. The respondents also indicated the importance of eating out and the tensions they experienced in different restaurants that presented themselves as ‘authentic’. Various contested identities were formed depending on the ‘authenticity’ strategy adopted in the ethnic restaurants. These ‘authenticity’ strategies focussed on purity, hybridity, concreteness and abstract. The study contributes to consumer culture ii theory by engaging in the study of migrant food consumption practices; and to understand how a migrant group, can relate to the operation and marketing of ethnic restaurants in the diaspora. iii Acknowledgements The past six years have been interesting as they brought pain, personal growth and joy as I worked through this thesis. Firstly, I want to thank God for giving me this opportunity and courage to pursue what I never thought would have been possible in my life and thus achieving this milestone. I want to thank Him for provision where at times we went without for me to reach this milestone. I have to admit that my thesis wouldn’t have been possible without the sincere support, encouragement, advice from several special people. I want to thank Prof. Mike Haynes who stood with me from day one, he never got tired of many silly questions and mistakes that I made during this process and with the few changes in second supervisors. The encouragement, the push and advice on when I should take breaks were helpful. I also want to mention Mrs Haynes for allowing Prof. Mike to come and see even when they were coming from holidays before reaching home. These occasions meant a lot to me. Secondly, I want to thank Dr Jenni Jones for her ‘get it done attitude’. The encouragements made me push on even when I was tired. Particularly the emphasis on UK or Britain for the sake of clarity. Thank you so much. To my gorgeous wife Mrs Selina Mutandwa, you stood by me, worked throughout summer months to keep the bills paid, I applaud you. I call myself blessed. This is for you my ‘Dr. Amai’. There are times where I could see your heartache and tired eyes when I spent hours in the library whilst you looked after our kids and worked to put food on the table. I love you! To Bethany my daughter, you never went on a holiday and my heart bleeds when I think of how you so desired to go on holidays and have stories to tell in school. I pray that I will be able to recompense you. Started when you were Five and now you are iv Ten, how I missed cuddling you. I will always love for being patient with me. You are Special to me!! Thomas, Lewis, Tanaka (TJ) God bless you for coming at the right time. My brother Brian and my nephews, Gamuchirai, Nyasha and Simbarashe you are special to me and I am your ‘grootman’. To my parents, you never got to see me achieve this milestone and wherever you are I am proud to be called your son and thank you for looking out for me. Dunamis Faith Ministries Church, thank you for your support. Now the journey begins!! God bless. v Table of Contents The Impact of Food Consumption Patterns on Identity: The Case of Zimbabwean Inbetweeners Living in the UK ..................................................................................... i Abstract ....................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements .................................................................................................... iv Table of Contents ....................................................................................................... vi List of Tables .............................................................................................................. xi List of Figures ........................................................................................................... xiii List of Abbreviations and Acronyms ......................................................................... xiv List of Key Definitions ................................................................................................ xv CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ............................................................................ 1 1.1 Introduction........................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Contribution to Academic Knowledge ................................................................ 3 1.3 Research Aim and Objectives ........................................................................... 4 1.4 Research Questions .......................................................................................... 4 1.5 Being a Zimbabwean Inbetweener .................................................................... 5 1.6 Identity and Consumer Culture Theory .............................................................. 9 1.7 Food Consumption and Identity....................................................................... 10 1.8 Research Methodology ................................................................................... 12 1.9 Clarification of the Researcher’s Position ........................................................ 14 1.10 Overview of the Thesis .................................................................................. 15 CHAPTER TWO: HISTORICAL OVERVIEW AND CONSUMPTION PATTERNS IN ZIMBABWE ............................................................................................................. 18 2.1 Introduction...................................................................................................... 18 2.2 The Origin of Zimbabwe .................................................................................. 18 2.2.1 Constructing a Contested Rhodesia/ Zimbabwe .......................................... 22 2.3 Contested identities in Rhodesia-Zimbabwe ................................................... 28 2.3.1 Pre-Independence identities ......................................................................... 28 2.3.2 Post-Independence Identities ....................................................................... 31 2.3.3 Contested Consumption in Zimbabwe .......................................................... 33 2.3.3.1 A racialized consumer culture ................................................................... 33 vi 2.3.4 Post-Independence Consumption ................................................................ 39 2.3.4.1 Food in the Zimbabwean ‘Consumption scape’ ......................................... 42 2.4 Migration to the United Kingdom ..................................................................... 49 2.4.1 Waves of Zimbabwean Migration ................................................................. 49 2.5 The UK as a destination .................................................................................. 50 2.5.1 Zimbabweans on arrival in Britain ................................................................ 50 2.5.2 The Middle-class professionals ...................................................................