Gusii trade in the 19th Century

Abstract

The role of trade in African societies during the Pre-Colonial period is a factor which is often underestimated. In Gusii society, trade was an important aspect of their subsistence economy during the 19th century. For as well as catering for subsistence requirements, trade acted as a window through which the Gusii who otherwise would have been an inwardlooking people, were able to make connections with their neighbouring tribes. Through trade, the small Gusii society isolated from friendly neighbours and bordered by tribes of unrelated language families - the Luo, the Maasai and the Kipsigis who were often hostile to her - was able to come into close ties with these peoples resulting into social and cultural interractions.

This paper, which is divided into five chapters and an introduction, sets out to examine this phenomenon. The first chapter begins by setting the background or stage upon which economic activities and agriculture were carried out. T,he historical background and the geographical setting are examined. The importance of geography in influencing agriculture and economic activities is highlighted. Chapter two surveys agriculture and economic activities which include, pastoralism, iron making, soapstone working, poison making, pottery and basketry. Chapter 3 examines trade, its nature and scope. External trade emerges out as being more significant than internal trade. Methods of exchange in which the barter principle is the most significant are also examined. Finally, the Arab factor is dealt with. Their role in Gusii during the 19th century is shown to be of little significance as their interraction brought very little modification to the Gusii traditional methods of trading. Chapter four is devoted to consequences of trade, the importance of trade as a subsistence requirement, in fostering cultural and social interractions with neighbouring tribes. Internal trade failed to solve clan differences.

The concluding chapter sums up the role of trade in Gusii society during the 19th century. A number of tentative conclusions are reached, an important one being that Gusii people in the 19th century do not seem to have shown much interest in trading for accumulation purposes. This is explained by the fact that trade was more valued as a subsistence requirement.

Finally the chapter ends by re-emphasising the role of geography in influencing the pattern and mode of trade.