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Master thesis Transition from Subsistence to Monetary Economy – A Counter Discourse to Mainstream Development Strategies. Case study from Samburu District, Kenya. By Astrid Melissa Jocelyn Lesamana The master thesis is carried out as a part of the education at the University of Agder and is therefore approved as such. However, this does not imply that the University answers for the methods that are used or the conclusions that are drawn. Supervisor: Kjell Havnevik The University of Agder, Kristiansand Date 24.05.2009 TRANSITION FROM SUBSISTENCE TO MONETARY ECONOMY – A COUNTER DISCOURSE TO MAINSTREAM DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES . CASE STUDY FROM SAMBURU DISTRICT , KENYA . ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________ MASTER OF SCIENCE IN DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT , UNIVERSITY OF AGDER . A. MELISSA J. LESAMANA 05/2009 ABSTRACT The present thesis is a case study with aim of performing an investigation of the process unfolding from the subsistence to a monetary economy. It is juxtaposed to counter mainstream development strategies amongst the Samburu people in Samburu District, Kenya. The objective has been trying to analyze the perceptions, ideas, transition- stages and patterns amongst the Samburu people as well as the reveal negative consequences that can occur from implementation of development and modernization strategies. The Samburu people are classified as an indigenous population (IPACC 2007). Indigenous people around the world have often one unfortunate thing in common; negative outcomes from modernization and assimilation processes. While the Samburu people at the first glance appears to be a rather static and intact example of preservation of indigenous cultures, it is of course not true as all cultures have traces and evidence of changes occurring in their livelihoods and traditions (Spencer 1997). Since they usually have a different holistic worldview than the majority of the world’s population, including development organizations, it is important to have bear in mind while creating and implementing development strategies in such communities. Through a thorough chapter of theoretical framework and literature review, the common discourses on indigenous people, pastoralism and development are discussed. Theories and concepts forming the basis for this analysis are also examined in the same chapter. Common researches on pastoralist communities have mainly concluded that they are maintaining a practice which leads to environmental degradation (Spencer 1997; McCabe 1997). But and loss is also one of the main issues proven negative among indigenous people. Populations relying on economic and social systems founded on natural resources are indeed more fragile to development initiatives and land loss than those who mainly rely on purchased goods (Survival international 2007). The thesis reveals that a historically forced first stage of transition to monetary economy indeed changed the Samburu people. By being introduced to development strategies that are founded on a monetary economy, many of have become marginalized in terms of a monetary poverty which often bear negative consequences such as prostitution, alcoholism, crime and violence. While solely depending on pastoralism and subsistence economy, these outcomes were rarely occurring. Five different locations in Kenya have been subject to this research, four of them located in Samburu District; Nairimirimo, Maralal, Barsaloi and Archers Post while the fifth research areas was Mtwapa, Mombasa. A mixed method consisting of both qualitative and quantitative methodology has been applied in the thesis. The chapter on empirical findings and analysis is divided into four main sections. They analyse and discuss various mainstream development strategies and modernization processes which have had negative results on the Samburus but commonly are irreversible. Mainstream 2 TRANSITION FROM SUBSISTENCE TO MONETARY ECONOMY – A COUNTER DISCOURSE TO MAINSTREAM DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES . CASE STUDY FROM SAMBURU DISTRICT , KENYA . ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________ MASTER OF SCIENCE IN DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT , UNIVERSITY OF AGDER . A. MELISSA J. LESAMANA 05/2009 development strategies in this thesis are associated with sedentary issues, urbanization, agricultural expansion, education, commercialization, business entrepreneurship and tourism. KEY WORDS : PASTORALISM , DEVELOPMENT CRITIQUE, INDIGENOUS PEOPLE , SAMBURU . ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This thesis came about after an inspiring lecture held by Nigel Crawhall at the University of Tromsø 2008. As I have many questions concerning the Samburu people, options of focus for the thesis were many. But Crawhall assisted me in defining my overall interest for a thesis; namely the transition from subsistence to monetary economy. Jennifer Hays has like Crawhall taken part in shaping the thesis objectives and offered valuable insight on subjects like education. Her research on alternative pedagogy and strategies for effective schooling among indigenous people has been inspiring. All the staff at the Masters of Development studies have encouraged me by sharing an interest in the subject as well as given valuable advice on how to approach it. Arne Olav Øyhus and Maung K. Sein both deserve acknowledgment in keeping my spirits up and sharing their valuable knowledge. My supervisor Kjell Havnevik also deserves great gratitude on his guidance. He understood from the very start my aims and wishes according to fulfil the ambitions of the research proposal and contributed with constructive advice all along. He has been present and supportive beyond expectation. Thomas Hylland Eriksen assisted in the early phase of the thesis by referring to useful prior research and scientists which had great knowledge of relevance to my subject, hereunder Aud Talle which willingly offered advice and encouragement to my work. Paul Spencer has greater knowledge of the Samburu people than any other scientist I know of, and he shared valuable ideas and perspectives which was useful in completing the thesis. Other people have assisted me through different ways. Augustine Jirte Lesamana, Charles Mampas Lalaur and Lino Leshingia have all contributed as per their ability with making my fieldwork go as smoothly as it did. A special thanks to Lino for never getting tired of answering all my questions. Ann Mari Ladefoegd should not be forgotten in her tremendous effort on discussing valuable concepts, theories and topics concerning the thesis which boasted my knowledge and encouraged me to believe it was possible to create a sensible thesis. Last; to those I believe in – and those who believe in me; My family have taken part in making the work possible, especially my mother – Anne Vigdis Jocelyn who shares my interest in the subject and offered all help possible, but also the kids for giving meaning to life and keeping up my spirit. 3 TRANSITION FROM SUBSISTENCE TO MONETARY ECONOMY – A COUNTER DISCOURSE TO MAINSTREAM DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES . CASE STUDY FROM SAMBURU DISTRICT , KENYA . ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________