Dr J.B. Gewald

Main researcher

Theme group:		C&T theme group
Focus:		Botswana; Namibia; South Africa; Zambia; Zimbabwe
Telephone:		+31 (0)71 527 3370
Fax:		+31 (0)71 527 3344
E-mail:

Jan-Bart Gewald is a historian specialized in the social history of Africa. His research has ranged from the ramifications of genocide in Rwanda and Namibia, through to the socio-cultural parameters of trans-desert trade in Africa. In addition, he has conducted research on pan-Africanism in Ghana, spirit possession in the Republic of Niger, Dutch development cooperation, Africa in the context of globalisation, and social history in Eritrea. Furthermore he has a particular interest in archaeology, and has participated in archaeological research in southern Africa.

Within the theme group Agency in Africa he is working on a project dealing with the social history of the motor car in Zambia in the 20th century. He was recently awarded funding by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) for a five year inter-institutional multi-disciplinary research programme within the social sciences and humanities entitled, ICE in Africa: the relationship between people and the Internal Combustion Engine in Africa. The research will be funded by NWO within the context of the Innovational Research Incentives Scheme within which Jan-Bart Gewald is one of the Vidi laureates for 2005. http://www.nwo.nl/nwohome.nsf/pages/NWOP_6E7DVZ

In 2007 Jan-Bart Gewald was awarded research funding with Robert Ross in the NWO humanities for a programme entitled: "From Muskets to Nokias: Technology, Consumption and Social Change in Central Africa from Pre-Colonial Times to the Present".

On a personal note, Jan-Bart grew up in Africa and has lived in Botswana, Congo Kinshasa, Eritrea, Ghana, Namibia, Niger, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

4 Projects

& List of publications

Key publications