THE URBAN-RURAL CONNECTION: CHANGING ISSUES OF BELONGING AND IDENTIFICATION

摘要: A special characteristic of urbanisation in Africa is the continuing commitment many urbanites to 'the village'.1 In 1960s researchers were already emphasising that life cities could hardly be understood without reference involvement urban residents with their rural area origin. Nor it possible understand village due attention role 'sons'-and 'daughters'-in city.2 It clear, moreover, such links remain great importance. his 1971 piece on south-eastern Nigeria, Gugler characterised Igbo resident home as 'living a dual system'. re-study same area, at end 1980s, he found had increased rather than decreased (Gugler, 1997). However, also clear that, underneath this apparent continuity, important changes and reorientations are taking place. The general disappointment, not only among social scientists but (and more important) population, models modernisation promises affects well-certainly weakening its importance, yet profoundly changing meaning.3 vision state city self-evident intermediaries victorious spread over 'traditional' countryside less tenable. Structural adjustment seems impose retour la terre-even if mostly remains slogan reality. impact recent political even confusing. parts continent democratisation encourage emergence particular form politics, centred regional elite associations, some sort alternative multi-partyism. increasing obsession 'autochthony' throughout continent-as elsewhere world-triggers politics belonging which region assume new importance crucial source power national level. Thus articles by Nyamnjoh Rowlands Dickson Eyoh issue highlight trend towards what one might call 'villagisation' politics.4 other contributions raise questions how meaning affect urban-rural connection pivotal relation developments Africa.