Migrant Fishermen in Congo: Tradition and Modernity

Abstract

The report presents an empirical analysis of the dynamics of the community of Béninois (Popo) migrant fishermen in Pointe-Noire. The treatment of historical data from the period prior to their establishment 30 years ago, as well as from their time in Pointe-Noire, throws new lights on the causes behind their migration and the establishment of a highly capital intensive and market integrated production system. It also reveals that considerable changes in terms of organisation and recruitment in production, distributionof power and external relations have taken place. These changes are members and to the intricate combination of traditional and modern values on which the community is based.

Eyolf Jul-Larsen is a social anthropologist and research fellow at the Chr. Michelsen Institute. He has done several field works among fishermen in Mali, Kenya and Congo/Benin. At present he is co-editing an anthology on West African Canoe Fisheries and pursues research on the issue of migration in West Africa. He has extensive experience as advisor to various governments on fisheries development in Africa.