Mental maps, segregation, and everyday life in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, has a long history as a segregated city. Starting in 1891 the German and then later the British colonial government enacted a series of building ordinances that outlined the styles of construction allowed within different areas of the city. Although these policies applied only to the structures themselves, ultimately they served to divide the city into European/Expatriate, Asian, and African areas. In spite of official attempts to integrate the city, postcolonial Dar es Salaam remains a racially segregated place. This segregation extends beyond residence location and affects all aspects of everyday life such as shopping and recreation. This article uses mental maps drawn by some of Dar es Salaam's residents to illustrate the lingering effects of colonial segregation on the knowledge, perception, and experiences residents have in and of today's city. Expatriate, Asian, and African maps include vastly different locations within the city. Those places considered important enough to map demonstrate that colonialism has continued impacts on the spaces and realities of everyday life in contemporary Dar es Salaam.

Keywords:

• mental map
• segregation
• everyday life
• Dar es Salaam
• colonialism
• postcolonialism

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Garth Myers for encouraging me to incorporate mental maps into my research. Thank you also to the students in my Qualitative Methods seminar for providing valuable insights into these maps. This research is dedicated to my mother who supported me in every step of this project.