Memories of Migrant Labor in South Africa: Oral Life-History Testimonies from Msinga
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The objective of this study is to discuss the South African black people's perceptions concerning the effect of labor migration on their lives. Since the migrant labor system was established in South Africa, they have gone through drastic changes in various facets of life. By analyzing the oral life-history testimonies of people who lives in Msinga, the study tries to illuminate what they remember about their labor migration and how they give meaning to the experience. Recently the study of oral history began to receive attention from academia with its new perspective to look into the immediate past. It stemmed from the diagnosis of the inadequacies of the established historical scholarship which alienates ordinary people from historical scenes. The experiences and memories of the people who were marginalized as the voiceless became recognized as important data for the new history writing. During the field research which was conducted from July 15 to August 13, 2010 at Othulini LweZulu and KwaNxamalala villages, Keate's Drift, Msinga, Umzinyathi District, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, 38 people were interviewed. The majority of interviewees were old men, ranging from 54 to 93, who migrated into industrial areas for work and have returned to their home after retirement. The interviews were meant to recall interviewees' memories about important events of their lives, especially the experience of migrant labor. Therefore, their narrations can be taken as reminiscences of their lives. Making use of the oral life-history testimonies of Msinga people, this study attempts to look at how they come to terms with their experience of labor migration. They hold on to various memories to tell the story of their life of migration. In the discussion their testimonies in each stage of life, that can be demarcated by labor migration, are examined. The focus of the study relates to the effect labor migration has on the Msinga people and their lives.
Abstract
The objective of this study is to discuss the South African black people's perceptions concerning the effect of labor migration on their lives. Since the migrant labor system was established in South Africa, they have gone through drastic changes in various facets of life. By analyzing the oral life-history testimonies of people who lives in Msinga, the study tries to illuminate what they remember about their labor migration and how they give meaning to the experience. Recently the study of oral history began to receive attention from academia with its new perspective to look into the immediate past. It stemmed from the diagnosis of the inadequacies of the established historical scholarship which alienates ordinary people from historical scenes. The experiences and memories of the people who were marginalized as the voiceless became recognized as important data for the new history writing. During the field research which was conducted from July 15 to August 13, 2010 at Othulini LweZulu and KwaNxamalala villages, Keate's Drift, Msinga, Umzinyathi District, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, 38 people were interviewed. The majority of interviewees were old men, ranging from 54 to 93, who migrated into industrial areas for work and have returned to their home after retirement. The interviews were meant to recall interviewees' memories about important events of their lives, especially the experience of migrant labor. Therefore, their narrations can be taken as reminiscences of their lives. Making use of the oral life-history testimonies of Msinga people, this study attempts to look at how they come to terms with their experience of labor migration. They hold on to various memories to tell the story of their life of migration. In the discussion their testimonies in each stage of life, that can be demarcated by labor migration, are examined. The focus of the study relates to the effect labor migration has on the Msinga people and their lives.
참고문헌 (13)
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