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The success of mobile phone technology has transformed communication and financial inclusion in sub-Saharan Africa and permeated politics, giving rise to “digital democracy”(Nyabola, 2019). As a tool for mobilisation with regard to vote-seeking, mobile technology is reinventing mechanisms through which, especially, rural populations fall victim to manipulation by the political elite. Existing scholarly explanations of the emerging trends have often assumed topdown perspectives that praise or reprimand the political elite as manipulative “philanthropists”, consequently obscuring the various mechanisms applied by the grassroots communities as agents of political and social change. As the easy accessibility of the Internet has been redefining the nature of state-citizen relationships, the role of ordinary citizens in the political mobilisation of resources, votes, and political discourse has been amplified. This paper gives an in-depth analysis of contemporary grassroots populations in rural Africa and their assertion of their presence in political participation, focusing on the opportunities they create from digital platforms to capitalise on inclusion in political discourse and the development agenda. Using ethnographic data, this paper highlights digital platforms as crucial in reviving the old forms of interpersonal networks of resource mobilisation among friends and families and claims that the youth use digital platforms (networks of globalisation) to contest and claim political rights (resources) from elected officials in both local and national governments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of African Studies is the property of Japan Association for African Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of African Studies is the property of Japan Association for African Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of African Studies is the property of Japan Association for African Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of African Studies is the property of Japan Association for African Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of African Studies is the property of Japan Association for African Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of African Studies is the property of Japan Association for African Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of African Studies is the property of Japan Association for African Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of African Studies is the property of Japan Association for African Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of African Studies is the property of Japan Association for African Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of African Studies is the property of Japan Association for African Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of African Studies is the property of Japan Association for African Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of African Studies is the property of Japan Association for African Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The history of African literature is characterized by the accumulation of continuous discussions by African writers about their self-existence and their actions. It is no exaggeration to say that the actions and creations of African writers are, in some way, responses to the debates on the definition of African literature, the identity as Africans, and the writers’ ethical responsibilities. The former part of this paper reviews the achievements made by Japanese researchers who have dealt with African writers’ works produced as a result of their self-questioning. The latter part of the paper discusses the problem that the above research results are mainly concerned with works written in European languages, and points out the need to turn our attention to the expressions in African languages. One of the reasons for the delay in the study of literature in African languages is the difficulty and limitation of research on books, except for some languages. Therefore, this paper proposes two main spaces apart from the book form — digital space and oral poetry — as targets that should be paid attention to when pursuing expressions in African languages. In addition, the paper proposes the term “African Verbal Arts” that can cover not only books but also various forms of expressive activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of African Studies is the property of Japan Association for African Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of African Studies is the property of Japan Association for African Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of African Studies is the property of Japan Association for African Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of African Studies is the property of Japan Association for African Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of African Studies is the property of Japan Association for African Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of African Studies is the property of Japan Association for African Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of African Studies is the property of Japan Association for African Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of African Studies is the property of Japan Association for African Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper examines two cassava harvesting methods used by the Lunda people in northwestern Zambia: partial harvesting and full harvesting. In Zambia, it takes 2 years until cassava tubers are large enough to be harvested, owing to the long dry season. The Lunda women harvest only the large cassava tubers in the third year (partial harvesting), and harvest all remaining tubers in the fourth year (full harvesting). The women carefully select the cassava tubers when they harvest them in the third year and then wait for the remaining tubers to grow. The Lunda households can thus obtain cassava tubers consistently for 2 years by using the two harvesting methods. Partial harvesting provides cassava tubers that may be boiled or eaten fresh. While it is believed that cassava can thrive independently of agricultural activity, this paper demonstrates that both partial and full harvesting methods were developed as part of the Lunda people’s endeavours to overcome the ecological limitations of northwestern Zambia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of African Studies is the property of Japan Association for African Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of African Studies is the property of Japan Association for African Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Based on the Diffusion of Innovation Theory developed by E.M. Rogers, this paper clarifies the characteristics of the four systems of improved rice cultivation: the new rice cultivation project introduced in Madagascar after the 20th Century (La Système de Riziculture Amélioré) (SRA); the “Green Revolution;” the System of Rice Intensification (SRI); and the Project for Rice Productivity Improvement in Central Highland (PAPRiz) in Madagascar from the viewpoint of the continuity of traditional rice cultivation. The “Green Revolution” allowed for the realization of new high- yielding cultivars accelerating the number of tillers produced by the plant. The SRI system is the realization of the Green Revolution through the growing methods of the rice seedlings and rice field management of irrigation and drainage which results in dense tillers. On the other hand, without the creation of new varieties of rice or development of new growing technology, PAPRiz includes the supply and selection of high quality rice seeds and the management techniques of the rice seedlings and rice fields that result in high-yield rice cultivation. Although the “Green Revolution” has diffused widely in a short amount of time, there are some obstacles in maintaining appropriate conditions for the high-yield cultivars; therefore, the re-evaluation of its practice and acceptance has been forwarded rapidly. The SRI includes many technical conditions, so it is difficult to diffuse in other areas except the original core areas. In contrast, PAPRiz allows the cultivators to estimate and judge whether or not to adopt each individual technique in the package. Due to this peculiarity, PAPRiz has achieved the possibility of wide diffusion. PAPRiz has gained advantage because the specialists themselves have put an emphasis this diffusion strategy which is based on the Innovation Theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of African Studies is the property of Japan Association for African Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of African Studies is the property of Japan Association for African Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

With the expansion of urbanization and consumption of agricultural products in Senegal, it is vital to understand the actual situation of consumption by urban residents, in order to understand future consumption trends. In this paper, we surveyed consumers living in the city of Saint-Louis, located in northern Senegal, and examined the condition of food consumption. Based on the interview surveys regarding food consumption behavior and the actual measurement of food consumption, we analyzed the flow from food consumption to post-meal treatment. According to a food consumption survey of 84 households, consumers mainly chose rice for lunch, but they had a varied choice of food for dinner. In a certain number of households, the sharing of meals with unrelated persons was confirmed, and most of the leftovers were given to talibés (Muslim childrendisciples). The results of this survey suggest that food redistribution may be undertaken in urban areas where people do not have enough food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to examine how farmers take in “market economic behavior” and “moral economic behavior” in their livelihoods and the society in “Mwea Irrigation Scheme” area, which is the largest rice cropping area in Kenya. There are two generation groups, the first generation farmers who are the settlers and the second generation farmers who are the sons of the first generation. I focused on their rice production and consumption process and clarified the following three points. (1) Both farmer groups take in both “market economic behavior” and “moral economic behavior” in their livelihoods, but the way of combination is different in terms of the rice production and consumption process. (2) The different way of combination between them is related with the difference of their social relationships and their rice field area. (3) The two generation groups coexist reducing the economic discrepancy between them through their interactions. As the results of these three points, the rice production process generates some tension between the generations, while the rice consumption process relaxes its tension; therefore, these processes allow them to foster their social relationships. This case study suggests that both of the rules of “market economy” and “moral economy” are took in the farmers' livelihoods and work in maintaining their livelihoods and the social order in the settlement area, which is the commodity production area established in Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the development of Musoshi mine to produce copper metal in Katanga. It builds on available primary archives and statements from the memories of managers and miners interviewed during the field works. It aims to analyze the adaptability of the Japanese management, especially the perception of Congolese senior managers of Sodimico. Although the government expected that the Japanese investment would be neutral, the evidence reveals that the Japanese managers refrained from training the local employees in order to take responsibilities in the company’s management. Also, the Japanese management style adapted successfully at Musoshi mine, particularly in favor of the blue-collar workers. But, the middle and senior Congolese managers do not perceive positively the fact that Japanese investors send their own managers to Musoshi mine. The interference of government and mismanagement of funds constitute the determinant factors in the collapse of the output. The study of Sodimico shows the general patterns of public companies in developing countries. The dependent government formed after the colonial experience does not possess the productively means to combine meaningfully the endowed resources for economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of African Studies is the property of Japan Association for African Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of African Studies is the property of Japan Association for African Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of African Studies is the property of Japan Association for African Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of African Studies is the property of Japan Association for African Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)