Porosité des frontières spatiales, ambiguïté des frontières identitaires : le cas des cités-États swahili de l’archipel de Lamu (vers 1600-1800)

A fluid, porous identity characterizes the Swahili civilization of Lamu's archipelago (1600–1800), challenging rigid notions of spatial and cultural boundaries. Despite urban centers like Lamu functioning as integrative hubs with strong ties to inland regions, their social hierarchies reflect a dynamic, permeable identity—one that defies static definitions. This study reveals how the interplay between coastal cities and their hinterlands exposes the ambiguity at the heart of Swahili identity, emphasizing its adaptability over time.

Vernet, T. (2010). Porosité des frontières spatiales, ambiguïté des frontières identitaires : le cas des cités-États swahili de l’archipel de Lamu (vers 1600-1800). Afriques, 01. https://doi.org/10.4000/afriques.513