TOMASZ KĘPSKI
Research interests: economic development and cultural changes in the world, East African tribal communities, tourism development, functioning of forms of nature protection, activities of international organizations
Contact: tomasz.kepski@doctoral.uj.edu.pl
phone: 12 664-52-95
Doctoral project:
Title: Tribal community in the face of civilizational change. A case study of the Samburu ethnic group in Kenya
The main objective of the research is to determine the scope and direction of social and cultural changes that are occurring in the Samburu ethnic group as a result of the economic development of the country, as well as to identify the opinions of representatives of this community on the changes taking place. The Samburu is a semi-nomadic pastoralist tribe living in the northern savanna and semi-arid areas of Kenya, far from the centers of economic development of the country. The basis of the economy of this people is grazing livestock. Samburu social organization, daily life and their system of values are traditional, which is manifested, among others, by the practice of male and female circumcision and gerontocratic system of power. As a result of the economic development of the country and the expansion of road connections, intercultural contacts between the Samburu and representatives of other cultures, including those of the modern world (tourists, businessmen, administration), as well as the penetration of modern telecommunications solutions and new ways of earning money into the daily life of the tribe, are intensifying. Economic development is a carrier of new values that affect all spheres of socio-economic life and Samburu culture. As a result, there is an adaptation of selected new solutions and values in this community. The research in this project will be aimed at identifying, through ethnographic method, the changes of social, cultural and economic nature, which have been or can be adopted by this community, and those which can be rejected. At the same time, through the collection of statements of selected members of the tribe (using the interview method), their opinions (beliefs and assessments) on the ongoing transformations will be identified, with an indication of the benefits and risks that the civilization transformations bring to the Samburu culture.
Selected publications:
Adamus J., Kępski T., Mika M., 2018, Aglomeracja a park narodowy. Trudna relacja w warunkach afrykańskich – przypadek Nairobi i Parku Narodowego Nairobi, Konwersatorium Wiedzy o Mieście, 3 (31): 23–30.
Mika M., Kępski T., 2020, Społeczność plemienna a ekonomiczne korzyści z rozwoju turystyki – przykład turystyki safari w regionie Samburu (Kenia), Prace Geograficzne, 160: 75–94.
Kępski T., Adamus J., Mika M., 2022, Postawy Samburu wobec Conservancies w perspektywie bilansu korzyści i strat, Prace Geograficzne, 166: 43–61.
Kępska (Adamus) J., Kępski T., Mika M., 2022, Między buntem, społeczną misją a produktem turystycznym. Umoja – osada kobiet (Kenia), Prace i Studia Geograficzne, 67(3): 65–76.