Technology and Swazi Concept of Land Tenure Their Cultural and Financial Implications for Advancement in Swazi Agriculture, 1894-1932.

Abstract

Problems of Swazi adaptation of modern technology to their agricultural economic activities transcends the scope of agricultural economics. Swazi culture, which has been heavily loaded with taboos than tolerances, which gave a right to individuals some latitude of choice to do certain things, thwarted progress than promoted it. There have always been strong cultural justifications for declaring some economic and cultural activities as either meant for women or men. But with the introduction of modern technology more cultural adjustments were carried out with a modicum revisions. The cultural problems hinted here were accompanied by those of financial nature. The costs which accompanied the acquisition of modern technology lay beyond the financial means of most rural Swazi cultivators hence the delay in the adaption process. In other words, cultural and financial problems for the acquisition of modern technology, collectively delay its expansion.


Review of Southern African Studies Volume 3 No. 1 June 1999, pp. 101-131