Power dynamics and the construction of social categories among matchubes and rimbeh in Nokuta village, The Gambia – A qualitative case study

Sammanfattning: Like many other West African countries, The Gambia faces challenges regarding discrimination based on descent, which relates to the inherited disadvantage of being born into a specific group (RADDHO & IDSN, 2012). This sociological case study has the analytical purpose of discussing the case of social stratification and descent-based discrimination in the Fulani village of Nokuta in The Gambia. The thesis focuses on the unique perceptions and experiences of the socially inferior matchube category (slave born people) and the socially superior dimo category (noble people). The study intends to discuss how different forms of power structures influence the creation and maintenance of unequal categories in the village. Based on the interviews of 22 people, the study highlights the unique perceptions of the individuals concerned. In order to make sense of existing power structures and inequality, the thesis uses Steven Lukes’ multidimensional power approach (2005) and Charles Tilly's theory of durable inequality (1998). Empirical findings suggest that there is some uncertainty about how people refer to social stratification, identity, and categorical belonging in Nokuta village. Simultaneously as the dimo group identifies with their prescribed positions of being superior matchubes, the matchubes would not identify themselves as inferior. All this considered, social stratification in Nokuta village may today be better perceived as discourses of categorical difference, rather than a fixed social caste system. The conclusions drawn suggest that although been subjected to severe changes due to the slavery abolishment and the introduction of more democratic value systems, there is a remaining salience for the dimensions of categorical difference.