AN ETHNOGRAPHY of DEAF PEOPLE in TANZANIA By

THEY HAVE TO SEE US: AN ETHNOGRAPHY OF DEAF PEOPLE IN TANZANIA by Jessica C. Lee B.A., University of Northern Colorado, 2001 M.A., Gallaudet University, 2004 M.A., University of Colorado, 2006 A thesis submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the University of Colorado in partial fulfillment of the degree requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Anthropology 2012 ii This thesis entitled: They Have To See Us: an Ethnography of Deaf People in Tanzania written by Jessica Chantelle Lee has been approved for the Department of Anthropology J. Terrence McCabe Dennis McGilvray Paul Shankman --------------------------------------------- Date The final copy of this thesis has been examined by the signatories, and we find that both the content and the form meet acceptable presentation standards of scholarly work in the above mentioned discipline. IRB protocol # 13090619 iii ABSTRACT They Have To See Us: an Ethnography of Deaf People in Tanzania Jessica Lee Department of Anthropology Thesis directed by Professor J. Terrence McCabe This dissertation explores the relationship between Tanzanian deaf people and mainstream society, as well as dynamics within deaf communities. I argue that deaf people who do participate in NGOs and other organizations that provide support to deaf people, do so strategically. In order to access services and improve their own lives and the lives of their families, deaf people in Tanzania move comfortably and fluidly between identity groups that are labeled as disabled or only as deaf. Through intentional use of the interventions provided by various organizations, deaf people are able to carve out deaf spaces that act as places for transmission of information, safe areas to learn and use sign language, and sites of network and community development among other deaf people. Through these deaf spaces and networks— formed around the safe and open use of sign language—deaf participants in these communities are better able to resist the imbalanced systems and find ways to survive, and in some cases thrive, in the context of structural, cultural, and economic oppression. Finally, I lay out quantitative and qualitative data that show that deaf people who participate in a signing community have better access to support networks, economic opportunities, and increased participation in public life. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Tumefika! Entire villages in different countries on different continents helped raise this dissertation. While I am the sole author, there were whole networks of people who made major contributions to this project with their time, efforts, edits, support, ideas, and patience. People in Tanzania and the United States have made either active or passive contributions, and I will do my best to recognize all of them however, it is likely I will forget some important people. Please be forgiving. Anything that is useful or good in this dissertation is the project of collaboration with others and me. All the mistakes are my own. I owe an incredible debt of gratitude to the deaf people in Tanzania who patiently and thoughtfully participated in this study provided brave and honest accounts of their lives and without their stories this dissertation just wouldn’t work. I appreciate their willingness to allow me into your lives. To my Research Assistants Renada, Godfrey, Valeriana, Neema, Lisa, and Theresia: I cannot overstate how much I owe you. From leading me around and through the cultural and geographic landscape of Tanzania and helping me to really understand our participants. You were my guides and protectors, and continue to be dear friends. I also would like to thank the organizations who work tirelessly for the rights of deaf people. The Chama Cha Viziwi wa Tanzania, Umoja wa Miradi kwa Viziwi Tanzania and Neema Crafts Workshop were all helpful in allowing me to meet their membership, learn from their leadership, and understand that their hard work is crucial for deaf people. I would particularly like to thank a few Tanzanian experts who provided instrumental advice and guidance along the way. Nico, Mbusiro, and Fortunata for continuing to support me from my first visit to Tanzania in 2005 until today. Malise, Anders, Thomas, Dickson, Lupi, Shaibu, Susie, Tungi, and Rahim for teaching me about the lives, language, and struggles of deaf people at the national, regional, and local levels. Nakushukuru. I would also like to thank my academic advisors, supporters, and role models. My advisor, J. Terrence McCabe provided patient and consistent support as I began to develop the idea of this project, conducting the research, and through the sometimes-painful writing process. His genuine interest and curiosity about my research helped me to approach my work in new ways. I would also like to thank the support of my committee members whose insights, questions, and guidance improved this project from early stages until its completion. I would particularly like to thank Susan Burch for her support from my time as a new immigrant at Gallaudet University and throughout my entire graduate school adventure. She has been a voice of enthusiastic and thoughtful support that I have relied on and appreciated. I would also like to thank Herbert Covert, Robert Johnson, and Dennis Van Gerven for showing me how anthropologists can be important practitioners and amazing teachers. I would like to thank the entire anthropology department at the University of Colorado. I have received support through grants and teaching positions and have benefited from the intellectual environment the faculty and staff work so hard to provide. I would also like to thank Valerie McBride and Lesa Morris for their help in getting though all of graduate schools hoops and hurdles. I have several friends and colleagues who were crazy enough, I mean, wonderful enough, to help me think through and write my dissertation. I relied on a wide network of experts as sounding boards and editors. My patient mother Teresa Lee, wonderful aunt Patricia Tucker- Ladd, dear friends Courtney Lee, Emily Mertz, Glenn Wallace, Summer Woods, Nicole Smith, and Porter Bourie read, re-read, and came to know and think about my work in creative and useful ways. I would also like to thank Nancy Mann and the Writing Center. Their Graduate v Writing Program was a necessary source of support for my writing process. A special thanks to my outside editor, Lauren Baldi, who had an attention to detail and passion that was crucial in this finished piece. My research was supported monetarily by many organizations. The University of Colorado’s Museum provided Burt and Van Riper Funds provided helpful research money for the early formation of this study. The Department of Anthropology provided funding through graduate travel funds and preliminary research grants. I also received the generous support of the National Science Foundation and the Fulbright program. Through the Fulbright fellowship I had the honor of working with diplomats at the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam and making some very good friends through the program. COSTECH and the Tanzanian Government were generous enough to let me conduct my research and I appreciate their support. I would also like to thank President Barack Obama. Almost all of my conversations began, transitioned to, or ended with his candidacy and presidency. It was a useful rapport builder. I would like to thank my family and friends for their support. My parents and sister who allowed me to be a complete deadbeat but love me anyway. My family (and I have a big one) have all been supportive through advice, patience, and love. I am proud to be a Lee, a Tucker, a McGregor, and a Dorsey. I promise, that now that I am finished, I will be a better sister, daughter, cousin, niece, and friend. Finally, I would like to thank my best friend and husband, Zachary Strider McGregor-Dorsey. His first sign name in Tanzania was sawa (okay) backwards. He learned three foreign languages, gave up a year to help me in crazy urban and remote rural Tanzania, and talked me down off of cliffs and up out of valleys. He is the smartest, funniest, and most resilient man I know. There is no one in the world I would rather have malaria with. I love you. Thank you. Table of Contents vi TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................... IV TABLE OF CONTENTS .............................................................................. VI LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................... X LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................ X LIST OF ACRONYMS ................................................................................. XI LIST OF KISWAHILI TERMINOLOGY .................................................... XII CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION .............................................................. 1 INTRODUCTION TO THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA ............................................ 6 A SHORT HISTORY OF TANZANIA ................................................................................................................. 10 Colonial Period ............................................................................................................................................... 10 Independence .................................................................................................................................................. 12 Postcolonial Period ........................................................................................................................................

Load more