Modalities of Forgetting : A Refusal of Memory Among Post-Conflict Samburu and Pokot, Kenya
Media records
Abstract
- Abstract
- en Memory has, in Western societies at least, become an inseparable and unconditionally loved companion of war. In popular discourse memory appropriately honors the sacrifices and achievements of past heroes while also prescribing vigilance in the present and future: “Never Forget” so that past tragedies will “Never Again” be allowed to happen. While scholarly treatments take a more nuanced view, memory nonetheless tends to be framed as both desirable and inevitable, whether as a means to achieve justice through a true rendering of the past or to achieve closure through the honest accounting of the trauma of war. This paper problematizes these positive views of war and memory through an examination of a post-war situation among Pokot and Samburu pastoralists in northern Kenya, who emphasize the singular necessity of forgetting in order to achieve peace. The two groups fought a bitter small-scale conflict with significant loss of life and economic suffering, yet shortly after the war they had returned to a state of peaceful coexistence, intermingling and cooperating in a variety of activities. Both groups maintain that peace has been achieved by an insistence that the conflict must be forgotten, with no heroes valorized and no losses avenged. In their view to dwell on the war is to invite its return. Through this case study, the paper problematizes the positive and inevitable associations of war and memory in Western discourse and considers ‘forgetting’ both as a worthy subject of scholarly analysis and potentially a social good in the pursuit of peace.
Subjects
People & roles
- Place of publication
- Bayreuth
Origins & context
- Title
- Modalities of Forgetting : A Refusal of Memory Among Post-Conflict Samburu and Pokot, Kenya
- Publication type
- Working paper
- Language
- English
- Series
-
Academy reflects
Value Annotations
Value Annotations
- volume
- 10
- Date
- 2023
- Number in series
- 36
- pages
- VI, 18
- Number of pages
- 18
Identifiers & sources
Full text
- Full text
- 36 University of Bayreuth African Studies WORKING PAPERS Modalities of Forgetting A Refusal of Memory Among Post-Conflict Samburu and Pokot, Kenya Holtzman, Jon, 2023 academy reflects 10 36 University of Bayreuth African Studies WORKING PAPERS Modalities of Forgetting The Refusal of Memory Among Post-Conflict Samburu and Pokot, Kenya CC-BY 4.0 Holtzman, Jon, 2023 Modalities of Forgetting iii University of Bayreuth African Studies Working Papers (XXXVI) Institute of African Studies (IAS) The University of Bayreuth African Studies Working Papers are published by the Institute of African Studies (IAS) in Bayreuth, Germany. The IAS promotes African Studies at the University of Bayreuth by supporting scholars from a wide range of academic disciplines from almost all faculties. It facilitates cooperation between researchers and institutions engaged in Africa-related projects, as well as teaching, both on campus and around the world. The IAS consists of three central bodies: the Iwalewahaus, the Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence, and the Africa Research Center (Forschungszentrum Afrika), which is currently under construction. The Working Papers give scholars the space to present empirical studies, theoretical reflections, and report preliminary findings, ongoing projects, and current research. The Working Papers usually reflect works-in-progress and invite discussion and feedback. Submitted papers are subject to internal review at the University of Bayreuth. Contributions may be submitted to the editor-in-chief: Dr. Jane Ayeko-Kümmeth (IAS@uni-bayreuth.de) The University of Bayreuth African Studies Working Papers feature on the EPub document server at the university library: 2005 - 2018 https://epub.uni-bayreuth.de/view/series/Bayreuth_African_Studies_Working_Papers.html 2018 - ongoing https://epub.uni- bayreuth.de/view/series/University_of_Bayreuth_African_Studies_Working_Papers.html Institute of African Studies Director: Prof. Dr. Eva Spies… Read the full text about 8,796 words
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