Pro-Social Practice Amongst the Akamba of Eastern Kenya: An Alternative Volunteering Paradigm?
PhD Thesis
Munavu, Michael M. 2009. Pro-Social Practice Amongst the Akamba of Eastern Kenya: An Alternative Volunteering Paradigm? PhD Thesis University of East London School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Authors | Munavu, Michael M. |
---|---|
Type | PhD Thesis |
Abstract | The object of this thesis is the analysis of localised pro-social practices of the Akamba (Eastern Kenya). It explores how the social structures and values (socio-cultural organisation) inherent amongst the Akamba condition their 'helping practices'. Given that the relationship between these two phenomena, culture and pro-social practice, have not been analysed extensively, I develop a perspective and concept with which to launch the investigation. I adopt a conceptual framework shaped by my biography, previous research on volunteering and a commitment to local knowledge and practice. This study is qualitative and uses community group, key informant and semistructured interviews and participant observation. The focus of the investigation is Machakos District (Eastern Province, Kenya). The ways in which the respondents from this locality (Akamba) view volunteering and self-help and the role of local socio-cultural organisation in conditioning these practices is analysed. The thesis adopts an analytic framework based on volunteering as a 'universalised' concept. It then uses this framework as a prism through which to analyse localised In analysing the intersections between universalised notions of volunteering and the forms of self help identified in this study, differences emerge. The thesis concludes that, on the basis of these differences, the practices evident amongst the Akamba are distinct from practices typically conceived as "volunteering". An alternative model of volunteering (opportunity-based volunteering) is suggested, as is the appreciation of a |
Keywords | Culture and pro-social practice; Socio-cultural organisation; Volunteering |
Year | 2009 |
Publication dates | |
Apr 2009 | |
Publication process dates | |
Deposited | 07 Oct 2013 |
Additional information | This thesis supplied via ROAR to UEL-registered users is protected by copyright and other intellectual property rights, and duplication of any part of the material is not permitted, except for your personal use for the purposes of non-commercial research and private study in electronic or print form. You must obtain permission from the copyright-holder for any other use. Electronic or print copies may not be offered, for sale or otherwise, to anyone. No quotation from the thesis may be published without proper acknowledgement. |
Publisher's version | File Access Level Registered users only |
https://repository.uel.ac.uk/item/863x8
155
total views0
total downloads0
views this month0
downloads this month