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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Water of Life: The Social Effect of an Irrigation Scheme of the Fish River (Eastern Cape)
Author:Holbrook, GregoryISNI
Year:1997
Periodical:South African Journal of Ethnology
Volume:20
Issue:1
Period:March
Pages:39-42
Language:English
Geographic term:South Africa
Subjects:social structure
irrigation
Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment
Development and Technology
Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups)
Abstract:The Tyefu Irrigation Scheme on the east bank of the Fish River in South Africa was planned, implemented and managed by private-sector consultants working under the auspices of the Ciskei Department of Agriculture and Forestry. Building for the scheme began in 1976, and by 1987 its extent was around 400 hectare. Specialist managers farmed more than half the irrigated land. Local participants farmed smaller farms, spread out over four spatially distinct sites. This paper examines the scheme's social impact on the local popuation. Material is drawn from 'multi-locale' participant observation fieldwork that took place over six months in 1987 and one month in 1990. The paper shows that the scheme had a number of social effects. Individuals and groups reorientated themselves toward shared new resources, among them water. The codification of surnames had the effect of creating new social groups. The rights and obligations connected with motherhood were reinforced as irrigation development contributed to affecting the political and economic status of women. Bibliogr., sum. in Afrikaans and English.
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