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WISER, Witwatersrand University [editor's note: please find below two messages from Tom Odhiambo interlaced with a reply by Peter Limb, co-editor or H-Africa (& H-SAfrica, where this was first sent. H-Africa editors have begun to discuss this idea but we welcome comments and, in this case, possible volunteers!--P.L.] 1. Status: RO This is merely an inquiry but also a suggestion. I am a user of H-net and I must say that it has been such a revelation to me since I started using it, which is not so long ago. I have been wondering why an eastern Africa section has not been established on H-net. Is it because there is too little research going on there, about the region or is it because it is damn too expensive to run a section for the region? I am an East African, Kenyan, who is based at Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. Although definitely taking on a global character in scholarship now, I am still very interested in the state of research in and on eastern africa. What do you have to say about this lack of space on h-net for such a vast region? Or have I missed something? thanks tom odhiambo 2. Reply from Peter Limb Dear Tom I am unsure if you wanted this posted. If so, let me know and I will indeed post. Firstly, I am unsure if you are also subscribed to H-Africa (http://www.h-net.org/~africa/ ), which has much wider (trans-African) concerns that does deal with East Africa, as required. H-Africa includes two Ethiopianist editors and a very broad Board (see http://www.h-net.org/~africa/board.html ). H-SAfrica, on the other hand focuses, as the name suggests, on Southern Africa. There is also H-AfrLitCin which focuses on African literature. See a list of lists at: http://www.h-net.org/lists/ We have talked in the past about an "East African" and/or "Northeast African" list, but no one has stepped forward to do so. If such was to become a reality it would require someone to get together a small team--at least two editors, and a Board of advisors, hopefully some based in East Africa. I think it an excellent idea! Last year H-Net established H-Swahili as a new list. I would suggest that if a team of, say, three editors--say, one historian, one literary person (such as yourself) and maybe an energetic graduate student with a bit of time(!) on their hand, was found then they should apply: see details on how to do this at: http://www.h-net.org/lists/application.cgi If you wished to drive this initiative then I expect you could well start the ball rolling by sending a similar message to H-Africa. best wishes Peter 3. Response from Tom Odhiambo Well, I know that H-Africa covers the rest of the continent but I am still concerned that the east african region has a lot to offer, specifically, as a region. I would like to be involved in establishing H-Eastern Africa. I would like you to post my earlier message and possibly this one on both h-africa and h-safrica. I expect to interest a few other people and thereafter get in touch with them.
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