Survival Strategies among the Nyamwezi Migrant Laborers in Zanzibar: The Symbolism of “Majembe ya Kinyamwezi” and the Social Function of "Fogongh'o”, 1890s-1950s

Abstract

This paper examines the Nyamwezi migration to Zanzibar between the 1890s and 1950s and their life experiences. It primarily concentrates on two cultural traditions that were very important: the "fogongh'o" system, where everyone came together to assist one another, and farming with “majembe ya Kinyamwezi”, which are special Nyamwezi hoes. The paper looked into historical narratives and archival records to find out that “majembe ya Kinyamwezi” were not merely farming equipment. They really showed what people were like and how they made a living when Zanzibar was under colonial rule, with a plantation economy."Fogongh'o" was like a backup plan for people who were new to the area and needed help with hard social issues, like someone dying, getting sick, or even getting married. People helped each other, and just having that community support made it all possible. This paper examines how Nyamwezi migrants navigated challenging times during colonial rule, when they were exploited as laborers and marginalized on the periphery of society. It really goes into detail about the working tools they used and the social ways they interacted with each other to survive. These new findings significantly enhance our understanding of several key issues: the impact of labor on post-slavery society, the adaptation of migrants to new environments, and the preservation of cultural traditions in the face of colonial influences. This study shows that the Nyamwezi migrants were able to survive by following their customs and working together.