Kutafuta Maisha, seeking a life : political disengagement as life-improving strategy : a study of youths in politically polarized Zanzibar

Abstract

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Youths in Zanzibar live under tough socio-economic conditions. As they follow developments in rural mainland Tanzania, and in other countries, they develop notions of what the ideal life different from previous generations;. Youths tend to not consider farming and fishing as real jobs anymore, rather seeking jobs in offices and business. In Zanzibar, it is believed that supporters of the ruling party have greater economic opportunities. For decades, Pemba Island has been the stronghold of the political opposition. Young Pembans therefore find it hard to seek the privileges of ruling party supporters. As there is little room in their community for critique of the opposition party, they seek to become apolitical through political disengagement. This is a difficult project, since the opposition party over time has become a central part of the peoples shared identity.

This master thesis discusses everyday forms of resistance in Wete town on Pemba Island, where politics are strongly polarized. The thesis is also a discussion on collective memory, and notions of differences between ethnic and political groups.