The Political Organization of Unyamwezi

A detailed study of the political organization in an important area of Tanzania shortly before Independence. Unyamwezi covers 35,000 square miles and has a population of 400,000. Dr Abrahams outlines the social and economic framework and examines the origins of the modern political system. He then discusses the internal organization of Nyamwezi chiefdoms and villages and the emergence of national politics. The theoretical and comparative implications of the study, which is based on extensive field work in the area, are also considered.

List of tables; List of illustrations; Foreword Meyer Fortes; Preface; 1. The people and their country; 2. The historical background; 3. The external situation; 4. The structure of the chiefdom; 5. The business of government; 6. Mechanisms of continuity; 7. Rulers and subjects; 8. Neighbourhood and politics; 9. Conclusions; Appendix A: list of chiefdoms in Unyamwezi; Appendix B: Nyamwezi kinship terminology; Bibliography; Index.