Mapping an interoceanic landscape: Dube and Gandhi in early 20th century Durban, South Africa

Building on existing scholarship in the field of Indian Ocean studies, this paper argues that through two major historic figures, namely John Langalibalele Dube (1871-1946) and Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948), the Indian Ocean and the Black Atlantic converged in Inanda (Durban), where notions...

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Main Author: Rachel Matteau Matsha
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Association for the Study of Religion in Southern Africa
Series:Journal for the Study of Religion
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1011-76012014000200012&lng=en&tlng=en
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author Rachel Matteau Matsha
author_facet Rachel Matteau Matsha
author_sort Rachel Matteau Matsha
collection DOAJ
description Building on existing scholarship in the field of Indian Ocean studies, this paper argues that through two major historic figures, namely John Langalibalele Dube (1871-1946) and Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948), the Indian Ocean and the Black Atlantic converged in Inanda (Durban), where notions of nation, nationalism, modernity and civilization were articulated and defined. In doing so, this paper offers a South African vantage point from which to understand the Indian and Atlantic Oceans' role in the intellectualization of the imperial context in South Africa, as part of a set of South-South exchanges and connections. Following a brief historical overview of 20th century Natal, the differences, parallels and interactions between Dube and Gandhi's personas and ideologies, and the influence of religion on their work, are discussed and supported through an examination of the Ohlange Institute and the Phoenix Settlement, as well as a comparative analysis of Ilanga and Indian Opinion archival material, as physical and written expressions of their respective outlook on life. Finally, this case study suggests an understanding of the emergence of African and Indian nationalism and modernity in 20th century South Africa as a transnational phenomenon.
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spelling doaj.art-40de672710864650b9f77e6f73c3cb1a2022-12-22T00:15:25ZengAssociation for the Study of Religion in Southern AfricaJournal for the Study of Religion1011-76012413-3027272238269S1011-76012014000200012Mapping an interoceanic landscape: Dube and Gandhi in early 20th century Durban, South AfricaRachel Matteau Matsha0University of KwaZulu-NatalBuilding on existing scholarship in the field of Indian Ocean studies, this paper argues that through two major historic figures, namely John Langalibalele Dube (1871-1946) and Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948), the Indian Ocean and the Black Atlantic converged in Inanda (Durban), where notions of nation, nationalism, modernity and civilization were articulated and defined. In doing so, this paper offers a South African vantage point from which to understand the Indian and Atlantic Oceans' role in the intellectualization of the imperial context in South Africa, as part of a set of South-South exchanges and connections. Following a brief historical overview of 20th century Natal, the differences, parallels and interactions between Dube and Gandhi's personas and ideologies, and the influence of religion on their work, are discussed and supported through an examination of the Ohlange Institute and the Phoenix Settlement, as well as a comparative analysis of Ilanga and Indian Opinion archival material, as physical and written expressions of their respective outlook on life. Finally, this case study suggests an understanding of the emergence of African and Indian nationalism and modernity in 20th century South Africa as a transnational phenomenon.http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1011-76012014000200012&lng=en&tlng=endubegandhiindian ocean studiesnationalismnationtransnationalismmodernitycivilization
spellingShingle Rachel Matteau Matsha
Mapping an interoceanic landscape: Dube and Gandhi in early 20th century Durban, South Africa
Journal for the Study of Religion
dube
gandhi
indian ocean studies
nationalism
nation
transnationalism
modernity
civilization
title Mapping an interoceanic landscape: Dube and Gandhi in early 20th century Durban, South Africa
title_full Mapping an interoceanic landscape: Dube and Gandhi in early 20th century Durban, South Africa
title_fullStr Mapping an interoceanic landscape: Dube and Gandhi in early 20th century Durban, South Africa
title_full_unstemmed Mapping an interoceanic landscape: Dube and Gandhi in early 20th century Durban, South Africa
title_short Mapping an interoceanic landscape: Dube and Gandhi in early 20th century Durban, South Africa
title_sort mapping an interoceanic landscape dube and gandhi in early 20th century durban south africa
topic dube
gandhi
indian ocean studies
nationalism
nation
transnationalism
modernity
civilization
url http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1011-76012014000200012&lng=en&tlng=en
work_keys_str_mv AT rachelmatteaumatsha mappinganinteroceaniclandscapedubeandgandhiinearly20thcenturydurbansouthafrica