Swahili in Spaces of War

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This monograph examines the roles and functions of Swahili in war and conflict situations, as well as the impact of wars on the language's destiny. Spanning over a century, it explores this sociolinguistic theme through six significant conflicts: the Maji Maji resistance against German rule, both World Wars, the anti-colonial struggle against British colonialism, the wars in the Great Lakes region, the Cold War, and the ongoing war against terrorism. The geographical focus varies, with some conflicts being "local," others "transnational," and some "global" in scope. Ultimately, the work provides crucial insights into the conflict-driven history of the Swahili language, illustrating its adaptability as a tool that can be manipulated to serve the interests of conflicting parties. It also highlights how language can be a means of constructing both hegemonic and anti-hegemonic narratives. The chapters include an introduction, discussions on the Maji Maji Resistance, African military formations between the World Wars, colonial and post-colonial dynamics, conflicts in the Great Lakes region, the Cold War, and the contemporary war on terrorism, culminating in a conclusion that synthesizes these themes.