Since the 1960s researchers have emphasised the continuing importance
of rural-urban connections as a special aspect of urbanisation in Afri
ca. It is clear that since then, in many parts of Africa, the involvem
ent of urbanites with their 'home' village has increased rather than d
ecreased. Four of the articles in this issue were originally papers pr
esented at two ASA panels (Toronto, 1994) which set out to explore the
se rural-urban connections. The content of the exchanges and the moral
involvement of city people and villagers in such relations vary great
ly. The variations have important implications for regional difference
s in, for instance, the development of new modes of accumulation or th
e cementing of ethnic networks. The other article (by Dickson Eyoh) ad
dresses the effects of recent political changes in this centext-a them
e also raised by the other articles. In many parts of Africa democrati
sation seems to evoke an obsession with 'autochthony', origin and belo
nging. The increasing role of elite associations, as an alternative to
multi-party politics, makes the rural connection of vital importance
to urban politicians. Hence 'the village', and more generally the regi
on of origin, acquire new importance as a power base in national polit
ics.