Scenes of Amani, Tanzania: Biography of a postcolonial landscape. Issue 1 (2nd January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ghyselen, Astrid; Geissler, Paul Wenzel; Lagae, Johan; Mangesho, Peter E.
• Is Part Of: Journal of landscape architecture. Volume 12:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 6
• Page End: 17
• Publication Date: 2017-01-02
• Subjects: Tanzania -- postcolonial landscape -- landscape biography -- mapping -- ethnography; Landscape architecture -- Periodicals; Architecture du paysage -- Périodiques; Landscape architecture; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 712.05
• DOI: 10.1080/18626033.2017.1301285
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1862-6033

Abstract

Abstract: In this paper an architect, two social anthropologists, and an architecture historian assess the postcolonial landscape of Amani Hill research station, a once highly productive and century-old site of scientific research. Rather than an 'objective' description of the overall site, this is done through six 'scenes' composed of photographs, drawings, and short essays that each highlight particular aspects of the 'biography' of this landscape. The mapping is accompanied by two reflections. Starting from cultural geographer John Wylie's observation that 'landscape is tension', we discuss some frictions embedded in the inquiry of such a mundane postcolonial landscape. Subsequently, we engage with the work of mapping as ethnographic experiment, examining the unanticipated effects that our architectural survey produced within the local community. Together, the three parts of the article underscore the inevitability of tactical engagement with the material elements that make up the postcolonial landscape, even in seemingly detached survey work.