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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Water Use by the Chagga on Kilimanjaro
Author:Grove, AlisonISNI
Year:1993
Periodical:African Affairs: The Journal of the Royal African Society
Volume:92
Issue:368
Period:July
Pages:431-448
Language:English
Geographic term:Tanzania
Subjects:Chaga
water management
irrigation
Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment
Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups)
External link:https://www.jstor.org/stable/723292
Abstract:On the southern slopes of Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, the Chagga people have developed one of Africa's most impressive systems of water management. It consists of numerous channels, generally called furrows, which convey water from streams and springs along the steep slopes of river valleys, to densely populated interfluves. The installations are substantial, involving 1800 km of main channels and an estimated throughput of 200 million cubic metres of water annually. The furrows enable farmers to use the mountain's permanent water resources throughout the year, thereby providing protection against droughts and stabilizing food production. A number of studies describe how the system functioned prior to 'villagization', when the furrows were still owned and managed by localized lineages. The present article examines the recent history of the furrow system. It analyses the modern organization and use of the furrows, and suggests that continuing local control over the furrows has ensured the survival of the central traditions governing water distribution and furrow maintenance. The furrows are increasingly valued as a means of earning cash from irrigated vegetable gardening. The study is based on fieldwork carried out in 1987 and 1988. Note, ref.
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