Middlemen of the Cameroons Rivers: The Duala and their Hinterland, c.1600–c.1960: 96 (African Studies, Series Number 96) - Hardcover

Book 2 of 49: African Studies

Austen, Ralph A.; Derrick, Jonathan

 
9780521562287: Middlemen of the Cameroons Rivers: The Duala and their Hinterland, c.1600–c.1960: 96 (African Studies, Series Number 96)
Hardcover
ISBN 10: 0521562287 ISBN 13: 9780521562287
Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1999

Synopsis

The Duala people entered the international scene as merchant-brokers for precolonial trade in ivory, slaves and palm products. Under colonial rule they used the advantages gained from earlier riverain trade to develop cocoa plantations and provide their children with exceptional levels of European education. At the same time they came into early conflict with both German and French regimes and played a leading - if ultimately unsuccessful - role in anti-colonial politics. In tracing these changing economic and political roles, this book also examines the growing consciousness of the Duala as an ethnic group and uses their history to shed light on the history of 'middleman' communities in surrounding regions of West and Central Africa. The authors draw upon a wide range of written and oral sources, including indigenous accounts of the past conflicting with their own findings but illuminate local conceptions of social hierarchy and their relationship to spiritual beliefs.

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Review

"With a sure hand, the authors analyze Duala trading history with reference to the historiography of the more important trading communities of southeastern Nigeria. Their coverage of economic, political, social, and cultural changes will be of interest to scholars of a number of disciplines." David Northup, Journal of Interdisciplinary History

"...let us be grateful for their thorough history of the Duala which will not be superceded soon." Jan Vansina, American Historical Review

Book Description

This book is about 'middlemen': Africans who functioned as intermediaries between Europeans and their own hinterland for over 300 years. Based on written and oral sources, it follows the Duala, a critical community, from precolonial history to the end of colonialism, covering both German and French colonial role.

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Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Publication date
1999
Language
English
ISBN 10 
0521562287
ISBN 13 
9780521562287
Binding
Hardcover
Number of pages
268

Other Popular Editions of the Same Title

9780521566643: Middlemen of the Cameroons Rivers: The Duala and their Hinterland, c.1600-c.1960: 96 (African Studies, Series Number 96)

Featured Edition

ISBN 10:  0521566649 ISBN 13:  9780521566643
Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1999
Softcover