The study of Indian Ocean societies can throw light on the way in which the representatives of different religious, ethnic, and cultural groups can interact with one another within the boundaries of a country or a region (Chew, 2012). Furthermore, this approach can show how and why conflicts in this region can emerge. In some cases, it is possible to examine literary works because they can throw light on the experiences, values, and perceptions of individuals who may represent of one of these societies. This paper is aimed at examining the novel By the Sea written by Abdulrazak Gurnah (2002).
The book can be of great interest to researchers. It explores the experiences of people who lived in Zanzibar at the time when this country passed through the period of political turmoil and dramatic changes. To a great extent, the author shows how people can construct their memories of the past events. Moreover, the writer is able to demonstrate how individuals can offer different interpretations of the same events. These are some of the main aspects that should be taken into account because they are important for the analysis of this source.
This essay is aimed at showing that many Indian Ocean societies were made very unstable or even fragile due to the legacies of imperialism and colonial expansion. In particular, these communities could be ridden with many ethnic conflicts that began to manifest themselves at the time, when these countries passed through the period of dramatic transformations such as revolutions. Moreover, Abdulrazak Gurnah demonstrates how the relations between various diasporas could be disrupted due to this political turmoil.
More importantly, this author demonstrates that the colonial ties cannot be easily severed even at the moment when a certain country declares its independence because many individuals wanted to integrate into the former metropolises. To some degree, these trends are illustrated by Abdulrazak Gurnah who depicts the events in Zanzibar at the time when the country gained its independence. Moreover, at that time, many individuals, who played an important role in the social hexarchy, were forced to leave the country. To a great extent, this social and political context shaped the behaviour of characters depicted by Abdulrazak Gurnah. These are the main elements of the thesis which should be examined in greater detail.
It is necessary to discuss several important themes explored by Abdulrazak Gurnah (2002). Moreover, many of these issues are relevant to the study of Indian Ocean societies. First of all, it is necessary to show how the characters of this novel perceived the legacies of imperialistic expansion and their colonial experience. One should keep in mind that people do not necessarily regard colonial legacies of their countries as something negative. By focusing on this topic, one can better explain how the connections between imperialism and instability of Indian Ocean communities. Additionally, one should demonstrate the way in which the political transformation of these societies can reveal many of the conflicts that could not be easily observed in the past. This issue is particularly relevant to a country like Zanzibar (Petterson, 2004, p. 190).
Furthermore, it is vital to examine such as a theme as the existence of diasporas in Africa since because many of them are a part of the Indian Ocean world. Finally, one should examine the existence of ties between former empires and colonies because these ties also shape the life of Indian Ocean societies. These are the main details that should be examined in greater detail. One can argue that this novel presents a thought-provoking exploration of these themes. Furthermore, this book can be used a primary source by sociologists or historians.
Overall, Abdulrazak Gurnah examines the influence of imperialism by examining the recollections of people and their views on the events that could shape their lives. One can argue that people described by Abdulrazak Gurnah are distinctly aware of the fact that in the past, Zanzibar has been governed by foreign countries, many of which claimed the title of an empire. For instance, this country could be controlled by Portugal, Oman, and the British Empire. In order to illustrate this issue, one can look at the recollections of the main character, named Saleh Omar. This person believes that imperialism could transform the identities of people living in colonial territories. In particular, he says, “New maps were made, complete maps, so that every inch was accounted for, and everyone knew who they were, or at least who they belonged to” (Gurnah, 2002, p. 15).
Overall, this argument is particular to the period when various colonial powers attempted to control various regions of the world (Pearson, 2006, p. 368). The main problem is that this artificial division of countries and territories created a variety of difficulties for such communities and these challenges manifested themselves at the moment when the power of imperial states began to wane. They became much more noticeable at the time when the nation states were formed (Bakari, 2001, p. 125).
It should be noted that Saleh Omar reflects on these issue at the time when Zanzibar obtained independence. At that time, the country was only recovering from colonial legacies. Moreover, many people were forced to leave the country because they were treated as colonial oppressors by the majority of their fellow-citizens. In turn, Saleh Omar describes his experience at the time when he is an asylum-seeker. This theme is important for understanding the tensions in many Indian Ocean societies, especially at the time when they struggle to integrate into the globalised world (Hofmeyr, 2010, p. 725). During this period, these people have to resolve the conflicts that could exist in the past. This is one of the aspects that can singled.
Apart from that it is critical to examine such a topic as the experience of various diasporas. In his novel, Abdulrazak Gurnah shows that Africa can be regarded as a diasporic place or a region that inhabited by people who were uprooted from their homeland due to various reasons. The author elaborates this issue by showing that Zanzibar could be inhabited by people who could represent very different cultures and ethnic groups. For instance, the author speaks about Arab and Persian merchants who traded in this region and settled in the country many centuries ago (Gurnah, 2002, p. 23).
In this case, much attention should be paid to the so-called trade diasporas or the settlements of merchants living in foreign communities (Bhattacharya, 2007, p. 93; Jayasuriya. 2003) Moreover, the author shows that in this region, continuous movement and scattering of people are a permanent phenomenon. When speaking about the context of this theme, one should first mention that as a part of the Indian Ocean World, Zanzibar was also a diasporic place. It was a community in which intercultural contacts were intensified due to trade (Mirmotahari, 2011; Aslanian, 2011). In many of Indian Ocean societies, these relations between diasporas remain active. Nevertheless, the events described by the author take place at the time when the country was influence by intense social struggle. In particular, it is necessary to focus on Zanzibar Revolution which provoked open hostilities in this country (Okoth, 2006, p. 56).
As a result, the relations between diasporas were disrupted. Overall, understanding of this theme is important for the study of the Indian Ocean World. To a great extent, it is a region in which diasporic existence is a norm. In turn, one should understand the factors that can uproot diasporas. Additionally, it is important to understand the social conditions that can result in conflicts between the representatives of different cultural, ethnic or religious groups. Thus, one can say that the novel By the Sea can pose many thought-provoking questions to historians and sociologists.
The political life of the country is another theme explored by Abdulrazak Gurnah. He pays attention to the processes that accompany people’s struggle for independence. To a great extent, this writer demonstrates that the rapid political transformation of this country can often lead to a great number of ethnic conflicts within Indian Ocean societies. In this case, one should focus on the moment when Zanzibar received its independence. Furthermore, one can speak about Zanzibar revolution. It should be noted that these conflicts existed even before the decline of colonial power, but these tensions were often concealed. Abdulrazak Gurnah shows that the residents of Zanzibar focused on their distinctions. They did not perceive as the citizens of the same society. For example, they could describe themselves as “natives”, “Muslims”, “Arabs”, “Indians”, and so forth (Gurnah, 2002).
They did not perceive themselves as a unanimous group that has common goals and values. In turn, the writer describes the events which followed the independence of this country, especially the oppressive policies of the government. The formation of nation states in this region has been examined by various researchers. Some of them argue that these communities rejected the principles of cosmopolitanism (Hofmeyr, 2010). One should focus on the social and economic context of these events. One should keep in mind that Zanzibar was a center of slave trade for a long time. In turn, many people, who settled in this country, were engaged in this trade (Skinner, 2005, p. 324; McIntyre, 2013).
In contrast, there were many individuals who were marginalized and disadvantaged by the existing power structures (Skinner, 2005, p. 324). This is one of the reasons why many hostilities broke out at the time, when the country became independent. To a great extent, this topic is also important for understanding the so-called Indian Ocean World. In particular, one should pinpoint the underlying causes of civic conflict in such societies. Furthermore, it is vital to understand how such conflicts affect the lives of people. Additionally, such sources Abdulrazak Gurnah’s novel By the Sea can give readers many in-depth insights into the effects of such social processes. This is one of the details that should not be overlooked by the readers.
It is also essential to discuss such an issue as the persistence of colonial ties because this topic also plays an important part in this novel. Abdulrazak Gurnah wants to show that many countries that were once controlled by imperial states do not easily become self-sufficient. Moreover, the residents of these countries can be attracted to the former imperial societies. They do not always reject the cultural influence of colonialism. Abdulrazak Gurnah examines this issue by depicting the behaviour of such a character as Mahmud. He is desperately willing to integrate into the English society, even though many local people can treat him contemptuously. For example, he can be called “a grinning blackamoor” (Gurnah, 2002, p. 72).
Additionally, it is possible to discuss the encounter between Saleh Omar and an immigration office, named Kevin Edelman. This person cannot understand why people like Omar cannot stay in their “own country” (Gurnah, 2002, p. 11). Therefore, these individuals can be discriminated even nowadays. These examples are important for the author because they indicate that former imperial states can still appeal to people coming from countries from Zanzibar. This phenomenon has been described by many historians who study the relations between colonies and metropolises (Miller, 2004, p. 196).
Again, one should bear in mind that these events takes place after the revolution in Zanzibar. Additionally, at that time, many people were forced to become refugees (Probst. 2004, p. 116). In turn, these individuals were stricken by poverty many of them could be deprived of their possessions (Probst. 2004, p. 116).
This theme is also related to the study of the Indian Ocean communities because many people who were born in this region, now live in the Western world. Furthermore, some of them try to re-establish the ties with their homeland. Therefore, it is possible to say that the connections between the Western world and Indian Ocean societies are strengthen. By looking at the development of this region, one can gain a better idea about the experiences of people living in countries like Zanzibar. Furthermore, in this way, researchers can better understand their interactions with their diasporas living in Europe, the United States, or other regions of the world.
Certainly, these four themes are not the only topics examined by Abdulrazak Gurnah. For example, this writer eloquently illustrates the way in which refugees from the same country can resolve their conflicts and eventually become friends, even despite their previous hostilities. This book shows how a person can adjust to new social conditions. This novel incorporates many narratives that can produce a profound impression on the readers. Nevertheless, these issues are not directly related to the study of the Indian Ocean communities.
Overall, it is possible to argue that Abdulrazak Gurnah’s novel By the Sea can be valuable source for the study of Indian Ocean societies. To a great extent, this book throws light on the experiences of people who live in the society that struggles with the effects of colonialism. It is possible to say that this writer explores the fragility of such societies. The characters depicted by this author provide very vivid recollections of the events that shaped this country. This text helps the readers understand the reasons why many of Indian Ocean societies could be vulnerable to internal conflicts. These are the main arguments that can be put forward.
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