Report
Period: 18 October - 16 November 2003. Country: Ethiopia, Tanzania
  Purpose of the Visit
  To Attend 21COE International Workshop on Integrated Area Studies in Ethiopia, Study Tour in Southern Ethiopia and On-Site Education in Tanzania
  ITANI Juichi (ASAFAS: Division of African Area Studies)
  Record of Activities
  10/18 (Sat)
    		• Kyoto – Dar es Salaam
      10/19 (Sun)
    		• Dar es Salaam – Adis Ababa
      10/20 (Mon) – 30 (Thu)
    		• Attended COE International Workshop held at Addis Ababa University, and joined Field Study Tour in Ethiopia
      10/31 (Fri)
    		• Addis Ababa – Arusha
      11/1 (Sat) – 11/14 (Fri)
    		• Conducted on-site education in northern Tanzania and Dar es Salaam
      11/15 (Sat) – 11/16 (Sun)
    		• Dar es Salaam - Kyoto

     

      Outcome and Progress Report
     
     (1) Field Station Cooperative Workshop & Study Tour
              At the workshop entitled “21 COE International Workshop on Integrated Area Studies in Ethiopia,” held at Addis Ababa University from October 20 to 22, 2003 we discussed perspectives on “Area Studies.” After the workshop, I was able to join a study tour to southern Ethiopia and observe an indigenous farming system based on Ensete (Ensete ventricosum [Welw.] Cheesman) cultivation.
     (2) On-Site Education
              I was able to carry out on-site education and research in Tanzania at two sites, the central zone and the capital of Dar es Salaam. The former site is located in the semi-arid zone of the central plain, covered with a unique vegetation called Itigi thicket and inhabited by the Sandawe people, who were known as hunter-gatherers until the end of the 19th century. Miss Yatsuka, a student at ASAFAS, has undertaken ethno-botanical research on the Sandawe, and the means for understanding and measuring several factors that formed the natural environment were actually demonstrated to her in the field. In the latter site, I gave concrete advice to Mr. Kawanishi, an ASAFAS student who has conducted research in relation to the handicrafts made of African Blackwood by the Makonde people, on understanding the realities of handicraft manufacturing and trading. The Makonde originally immigrated into Tanzania as refugees from Mozambique and have established a social status in Tanzania using their indigenous handicraft techniques. Nowadays, Makonde handicrafts are among the most famous gifts in East Africa.
     (3) Field Station Seminars and Collaborative Research
              Administration and security systems were built up for the field station. Two students, Mr. Kawanishi and Miss Seko, who are studying the indigenous medical system and changes in it around Mt. Meru in north Tanzania, presented progress reports at the first open seminar held at the field station on November 5, 2003. Other ASAFAS students surveying in Tanzania, a researcher at another university, JICA experts, and JOCV and resident Japanese in Dar es Salaam, participated in the seminar and had wide-ranging discussions. Open seminars will be held regularly.
              At the Sokoine University of Agriculture located in Morogoro city, I had discussions with the professors at the Center for Sustainable Rural Development (SCSRD) about collaborations between ASAFAS and SCSRD.

     

     

    Miss Yatsuka (ASAFAS graduate student) observing a slash-and-burn field in an Itigi thicket
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