Spirit of the land : politics, memory, and the sacred in South African land claims

Bibliography: leaves 224-242.This thesis examines the role of sacred space in people's attachment to land, analysing the ways in which people create sacred space through labour, ritual, myth, and memory. Three case studies explore the human interpretation of the sacred through the history and politics of land acquisition and dispossession. While providing historical background and legal analysis of forced removals, evictions, and relocations, the thesis calls attention to the role of religion in South African land claims. Although the people in these case studies believe that returning to their original land will materially improve their lives, their main concern is to reconnect with their alienated sacred space. This study explores the changing nature of the sacred and its formulative role in shaping and informing peopIe's identities and memories

Social connections and displacement from South Sudan to Uganda : towards a relational understanding of survival during conflict

This report is made possible by the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), with support from the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA).South Sudanese fled their communities in large numbers following the outbreak of political violence in 2013, with an estimated 4.5 million forcibly displaced by mid-2018. Of neighbouring countries, Uganda hosts the greatest number of South Sudanese refugees. Based on qualitative data collected in 2018 and 2019 in two refugee settlements in the West Nile sub-region of Uganda, this article examines the social connectedness of refugees during their flight and after their arrival in Uganda. How do refugees rely on the new relationships they form during displacement, and in what ways do these relationships enhance our understanding of the role, forms, and importance of social connectedness during displacement? We analyse how social connections provide material and non-material support, how refugees use scarce resources to negotiate and cultivate social connections, and how gender and status influence inclusion and exclusion within social networks. We find that proximity and shared experience are the two most important factors in social connectedness following displacement and that non-material support plays a critical role in facilitating resilience. Collectively, these findings highlight the significance of a relational, rather than individualistic, approach to survival during displacement. In addition to the theoretical significance of these findings, and the contribution to the growing literature on social connectedness during armed conflict, this article is relevant to humanitarian decision-makers and practitioners who aim to craft programmes that support, rather than undermine, the coping strategies of displaced people.PostprintPeer reviewe

The Changing Landscape for Stroke\ua0Prevention in AF: Findings From the GLORIA-AF Registry Phase 2

Background GLORIA-AF (Global Registry on Long-Term Oral Antithrombotic Treatment in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation) is a prospective, global registry program describing antithrombotic treatment patterns in patients with newly diagnosed nonvalvular atrial fibrillation at risk of stroke. Phase 2 began when dabigatran, the first non\u2013vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC), became available. Objectives This study sought to describe phase 2 baseline data and compare these with the pre-NOAC era collected during phase 1. Methods During phase 2, 15,641 consenting patients were enrolled (November 2011 to December 2014); 15,092 were eligible. This pre-specified cross-sectional analysis describes eligible patients\u2019 baseline characteristics. Atrial fibrillation disease characteristics, medical outcomes, and concomitant diseases and medications were collected. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results Of the total patients, 45.5% were female; median age was 71 (interquartile range: 64, 78) years. Patients were from Europe (47.1%), North America (22.5%), Asia (20.3%), Latin America (6.0%), and the Middle East/Africa (4.0%). Most had high stroke risk (CHA2DS2-VASc [Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age  6575 years, Diabetes mellitus, previous Stroke, Vascular disease, Age 65 to 74 years, Sex category] score  652; 86.1%); 13.9% had moderate risk (CHA2DS2-VASc = 1). Overall, 79.9% received oral anticoagulants, of whom 47.6% received NOAC and 32.3% vitamin K antagonists (VKA); 12.1% received antiplatelet agents; 7.8% received no antithrombotic treatment. For comparison, the proportion of phase 1 patients (of N = 1,063 all eligible) prescribed VKA was 32.8%, acetylsalicylic acid 41.7%, and no therapy 20.2%. In Europe in phase 2, treatment with NOAC was more common than VKA (52.3% and 37.8%, respectively); 6.0% of patients received antiplatelet treatment; and 3.8% received no antithrombotic treatment. In North America, 52.1%, 26.2%, and 14.0% of patients received NOAC, VKA, and antiplatelet drugs, respectively; 7.5% received no antithrombotic treatment. NOAC use was less common in Asia (27.7%), where 27.5% of patients received VKA, 25.0% antiplatelet drugs, and 19.8% no antithrombotic treatment. Conclusions The baseline data from GLORIA-AF phase 2 demonstrate that in newly diagnosed nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients, NOAC have been highly adopted into practice, becoming more frequently prescribed than VKA in Europe and North America. Worldwide, however, a large proportion of patients remain undertreated, particularly in Asia and North America. (Global Registry on Long-Term Oral Antithrombotic Treatment in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation [GLORIA-AF]; NCT01468701

Trauma, loss and other psychosocial drivers of excessive alcohol consumption in Karamoja, Uganda

Abstract This article investigates the trends, drivers and effects of alcohol consumption in Karamoja, a primarily pastoralist area of Uganda. Although locally brewed alcohol from sorghum and millet has an important and long-standing place in Karamojong tradition, the emerging trend of excessive consumption of hard liquor is a cause for concern among government and health officials, development practitioners and, especially, community members themselves. This article explores the varied reasons for this rise in hard liquor consumption, particularly in Karamoja’s post-disarmament period. The article is based on data collected in mid-2018, as well as information gleaned from the authors’ engagement in the region over the past decade. The peace and security ushered in by the disarmament exercises of the 2000s has, on the one hand, opened up the once isolated region politically and economically. Conversely, it has accelerated external interest in Karamoja’s economic wealth, leading to further disenfranchisement of its people due to dispossession of land. Emerging from the trauma of the disarmament exercise, the drastic loss of livestock and livelihoods and the continuing negligence of pastoralism by the state, Karamoja’s rural as well as peri-urban communities are undergoing a remarkable loss not only of their economic systems, but also of their socio-cultural identity. Acknowledging the specific trauma and loss experienced by individuals and communities provides a lens through which to better understand the excessive alcohol consumption. These psychosocial factors, along with the economic and political aspects, must be considered in efforts to address this continuing crisis in the region

Social connections and displacement from South Sudan to Uganda:towards a relational understanding of survival during conflict

South Sudanese fled their communities in large numbers following the outbreak of political violence in 2013, with an estimated 4.5 million forcibly displaced by mid-2018. Of neighbouring countries, Uganda hosts the greatest number of South Sudanese refugees. Based on qualitative data collected in 2018 and 2019 in two refugee settlements in the West Nile sub-region of Uganda, this article examines the social connectedness of refugees during their flight and after their arrival in Uganda. How do refugees rely on the new relationships they form during displacement, and in what ways do these relationships enhance our understanding of the role, forms, and importance of social connectedness during displacement? We analyse how social connections provide material and non-material support, how refugees use scarce resources to negotiate and cultivate social connections, and how gender and status influence inclusion and exclusion within social networks. We find that proximity and shared experience are the two most important factors in social connectedness following displacement and that non-material support plays a critical role in facilitating resilience. Collectively, these findings highlight the significance of a relational, rather than individualistic, approach to survival during displacement. In addition to the theoretical significance of these findings, and the contribution to the growing literature on social connectedness during armed conflict, this article is relevant to humanitarian decision-makers and practitioners who aim to craft programmes that support, rather than undermine, the coping strategies of displaced people

Social connections and displacement from South Sudan to Uganda:towards a relational understanding of survival during conflict

South Sudanese fled their communities in large numbers following the outbreak of political violence in 2013, with an estimated 4.5 million forcibly displaced by mid-2018. Of neighbouring countries, Uganda hosts the greatest number of South Sudanese refugees. Based on qualitative data collected in 2018 and 2019 in two refugee settlements in the West Nile sub-region of Uganda, this article examines the social connectedness of refugees during their flight and after their arrival in Uganda. How do refugees rely on the new relationships they form during displacement, and in what ways do these relationships enhance our understanding of the role, forms, and importance of social connectedness during displacement? We analyse how social connections provide material and non-material support, how refugees use scarce resources to negotiate and cultivate social connections, and how gender and status influence inclusion and exclusion within social networks. We find that proximity and shared experience are the two most important factors in social connectedness following displacement and that non-material support plays a critical role in facilitating resilience. Collectively, these findings highlight the significance of a relational, rather than individualistic, approach to survival during displacement. In addition to the theoretical significance of these findings, and the contribution to the growing literature on social connectedness during armed conflict, this article is relevant to humanitarian decision-makers and practitioners who aim to craft programmes that support, rather than undermine, the coping strategies of displaced people

Cattle to cash:changing marriage practices among displaced people in Bentiu, South Sudan

Even during armed conflict and displacement, weddings continue, as people enter into marriage and adapt the processes and rituals associated with this milestone. In this paper, we trace the changes to marriage practices in the Bentiu Protection of Civilians site and adjacent areas of Rubkona and Bentiu towns in South Sudan's Unity State. Specifically, we ask how, in the context of armed conflict and displacement, the shift from a cattle-based economy to one entailing greater use of cash has affected the meanings and processes of marriages. We highlight changes to bridewealth, and corresponding shifts in the engagement of relatives, community members and social networks in the rite and process of marriage. We argue that these changes both challenge social norms around the ties and broader connections that result from marriages and potentially highlight opportunities of agency for those entering a marriage during displacement. This analysis contributes to a growing body of literature that adopts a relational understanding of survival during displacement and underscores the importance of taking social connectedness seriously in the study of armed conflict

Cattle to cash:changing marriage practices among displaced people in Bentiu, South Sudan

Even during armed conflict and displacement, weddings continue, as people enter into marriage and adapt the processes and rituals associated with this milestone. In this paper, we trace the changes to marriage practices in the Bentiu Protection of Civilians site and adjacent areas of Rubkona and Bentiu towns in South Sudan's Unity State. Specifically, we ask how, in the context of armed conflict and displacement, the shift from a cattle-based economy to one entailing greater use of cash has affected the meanings and processes of marriages. We highlight changes to bridewealth, and corresponding shifts in the engagement of relatives, community members and social networks in the rite and process of marriage. We argue that these changes both challenge social norms around the ties and broader connections that result from marriages and potentially highlight opportunities of agency for those entering a marriage during displacement. This analysis contributes to a growing body of literature that adopts a relational understanding of survival during displacement and underscores the importance of taking social connectedness seriously in the study of armed conflict