The Gunny Sack

A detailed Summary of The Gunny Sack

A collection of stories of the lives of African Asians during de-colonization, The Gunnysack, cleverly illustrates the formation of TANU, the impact of class formations, and the relationship Asians had with the African Nationalist movement during this period. It is the fictional account of one very extended family's existence in East Africa through a compilation of memories and oral history passed on through generations.

The stories took place in the East African communities of Kenya, Uganda, Zanzibar and Tanganyika. It is the main city and port of Tanganyika, Dar es Salaam, in which the majority of the elaborate tale takes place. The city was highly concentrated with Indian workers and merchants during this time when discontent grew rapidly with the development of class-consciousness. Infuriated by the exploitation of colonialism, a rise in the spirit of nationalism was triggered among Africans. In 1945 and 1948 peasant revolts erupted in Uganda, and later, in 1952, Mau Mau occurred in Kenya. Mau Mau was a very violent peasant revolt that frightened many Europeans as well as Asians in East Africa in which African peasants formed the Land Freedom Army and killed 32 of the 4,000 European settlers. This frig

Many Asians were very content with British rule. Most did not receive any harsh treatment imposed by the Europeans; this treatment was saved for the Africans. This was most likely because they did not pose a threat to European rule. Many possessed a great desire just to be accepted by them. For this reason, the right wing, conservative view was common among Asians. When TANU formed in 1954, lead by Julius Nyerere, and won the government elections, the Asian existence in Africa was threatened, but not because of the Africans. Nyerere encouraged integration between Asians and Africans and advocated "equality of the races" (152).

In the 1940's and 50's, Africans protested the hypocrisy of the colonial system, and it became clear that the indigenous people were going to take over, hence Mau Mau. Protesters from the entire African Diaspora with new nationalist ideals came together in Africa for this movement. It was the development of class-consciousness that sparked the existence of TANU as well as many labor unions in Africa. The book gives an example of one man who tries to use the power of unions to collect back pay from one of the Indian characters in the story. "Omari bided his time and calculated, ready to pounce with the backing of the Labour Union. And Kulsum, in exact literal translation, was scared shitless" (153). After TANU won the elections Asians began telling each other "We must change, we must diversify" (149). "Every year Asian students, after completing school or university, joined their African counterparts to go and build the nation at camp, to learn to defend its borders" (196)

Some common words found in the essay are:
Africans Asians, Mau Mau, War II, Europeans Vassanji, African Asians, Tanganyika Dar, Union Kulsum, African Diaspora, African Nationalist, Asians Africans, mau mau, commercial bourgeoisie, east africa, nationalist movement, african asians, african nationalist movement, strata including, professionals mine, mine owners, asians east, frightened europeans, asians east africa, professionals mine owners, main character novel,

Approximate Word count = 1093
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: History