Inside Indian Indenture: A South African Story, 1860-1914

by Ashwin Desai, Goolam Vahed

A timely and monumental recollection, this consideration captures the crossing of the sea undertaken by immigrants from India in the late 1800s. Illustrating their travels from their home country to colonial South Africa, this narrative demonstrates the multiple beginnings that made up the indentured experience for these wandering exiles. The overview explores the terrain of the everyday by focusing on religious and cultural expressions, leisure activities, power relations on the plantations, the weapons of resistance, and forms of collaboration that were developed in conflicts with the colonial overlords. Fascinating accounts brimming with desire and tender mercies—as much as with oppression and exploitation—show that the indentured were as much agents as they were victims and silent witnesses, painting a clear portrait of both cooperation and discord between Indians and Africans. Revising the contours of South African Indian historiography, this investigation expertly weaves its themes into the mainstream of Southern African studies, highlighting an often overlooked minority community.

Genres: History, Africa, South Africa, India

512 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Prolific sociologist and activist Ashwin Desai, holds a Master’s degree from Rhodes University and a doctorate from Michigan State University. He is professor of sociology at the University of Johannesburg.

(from http://www.cca.ukzn.ac.za/index.php/t...)

Reviews

[Vania Naidoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

An important book that every descendant of Indian indenture should at least try to read. While it can feel textbook-like and repetitive at times, I appreciated the inclusion of personal stories alongside broader historical accounts. Desai and Vahed succeed in their aim to humanize the laborers and showcase the agency they exercised even under dire, restrictive conditions. It’s both moving and humbling to understand what my own ancestors endured so that I could live with more dignity and privilege than they did.