Kickin' it: leisure, politics and football in colonial Zanzibar, 1900s–1950s

• Published in: Africa (London. 1928) Vol. 67; no. 2; pp. 224 - 251
• Main Author: Fair, Laura
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 22.03.1997; Edinburgh University Press
• Subjects: Africa; Athletic competition; Caribbean literature; Cognitive problems, arts and sciences, folk traditions, folklore; College sports; Colonial history; Colonial Zanzibar; Colonialism; Communities; Culture; Economic competition; Ethnology; Feasts, sports, games; Football; History; James, C L R (Cyril Lionel Robert) (1901-1989); Leisure; Men; Neighborhoods; Political aspects; Politics; Popular dance; Recreation; Social aspects; Sport; Sports; Sports clubs; Sports fandom; Tanzania; Century 19-20; Western countries; East Africa; Tanzania; Europe; Africa; Competition; Colonial Society; Political relation; Audience; Values; Colonial state; Athlete; Football; Native; Inculturation; Social relations; Sport; Sporting Practice; Leisure; Club; Perception; Socialization; Colonization; Zanzibar; Self-Esteem; Supporter
• ISSN: 0001-9720; 1750-0184
• DOI: 10.2307/1161443

As C. L. R. James demonstrated in Beyond a Boundary, organised team sports epitomised the colonial attempt to inculcate hierarchy, stability and discipline into the minds and spirits of the colonised. These values were not, however, passively internalised. Taken as a microcosm of the colonial experience, this study of football in Zanzibar illustrates the limits of Europeans' ability to mould Africans' social experiences. Sport in Zanzibar, as elsewhere in the empire, often carried undertones of conflict and at times became overtly political. Yet football represented much more than a political battlefield to the players and spectators. For men in colonial Zanzibar playing and watching football were often central social experiences. This article explores the diversity of meanings attributed to football in 1900–50. Comme C. L. R. James a démontré dans Beyond a Boundary, les sports d'équipes organisés ont incarné les efforts coloniaux pour inculquer la hiérarchie, la stabilité et la discipline dans les esprits des colonisés. Ces valeurs n'ont pas cependant été intériorisées passivement. Vue comme microcosme de l'experience coloniale, cet étude du football au Zanzibar illustre les limites de l'abilité des européens pour façonner les expériences sociales des africains. Le sport au Zanzibar, comme ailleurs dans l'empire, a souvent été empreint de conflits sous-jacents et a parfois été ouvertement politique. Cependant le football a représenté beaucoup plus qu'un champ de bataille politique pour les joueurs et les spectateurs. Pour les homines au Zanzibar colonial jouer et regarder le football avait été souvent une expérience sociale importante. Cet article explore la diversité des significations attribuées au football entre 1900 et 1950.