Goma - Stories of Strength and Sorrow from Eastern Congo

A city of over one million people caught between volcanic eruptions and armed conflict, Goma has come to embody the ''tragedy'' that is the Democratic Republic of Congo. Often portrayed by outsiders as a living hell, Goma is nevertheless a city of opportunity for others.Drawing on a rich tapestry of personal narratives, from taxi driver to market trader, doctor to local humanitarian worker, provides an engaging and unconventional portrait of an African city.In contrast to the bleak pessimism which dominates much of the writing on Congo, Trefon and Kabuyaya instead emphasise the resilience, pragmatism and ingenuity which characterises so much of daily life in Goma. Resigned and hardened by struggle, the protagonists of the book give the impression that life is neither beautiful nor ugly, but an unending skirmish with destiny. In doing so, they offer startling insights into the social, cultural and political landscape of this unique city.>

Product details

• Authors: Noel Kabuyaya, Noël Kabuyaya, Theodore Trefon, Trefon Theodore
• Publisher: Zed Books
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 28.02.2018
• EAN: 9781786991416
• ISBN: 978-1-78699-141-6
• No. of pages: 256
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Education > Education system; Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Natural sciences (general); Social sciences, law, business > Sociology > Sociological theories; Oral History, Cultural Studies, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Anthropology / Cultural & Social, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Sociology / Urban, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Developing & Emerging Countries, Social and cultural anthropology, Sociology & anthropology, Urban communities, Development Studies, Higher education, tertiary education, Sociology and anthropology, Development economics and emerging economies, Armed Conflict, Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire), For higher / tertiary / university education, EDUCATION / Schools / Levels / Higher, Democratic Republic of Congo, Global South / Developing countries