History and Memory in the Age of Enslavement: Becoming Merina in Highland Madagascar, 1770-1822

Pier M. Larson

ISBN 10: 0325002169 / ISBN 13: 9780325002163

Published by Heinemann, 2000

Inscribed by Pier M. Larson to Gabrielle Spiegel on half title page. Softcover. Good binding and cover. Shelf wear. Spine sunned. Scattered underlining and markings, presumably by Spiegel. xxxii, 414 p. : ill., maps, 24 cm. *Autographed by author.*. Seller Inventory # 2204190089

Synopsis:

In this story of the impact of slave trade on an insular African society, Larson explores how the people of highland Madagascar reshaped their social identity and their cultural practices. As Larson argues, the modern Merina ethnic identity and some of its key cultural traditions were fashioned and refashioned through localized experiences of enslavement and mercantile capitalism and by a tension-filled political dialogue among common highland Malagasy and their rulers. Larson's analysis expands traditional definitions of the African diaspora to include forcible exile of African slaves within the African continent as well as areas external to it. By locating Merina history within wider narratives of merchant capitalism, African history, African diaspora, and Indian Ocean history, Larson has produced a book that both recognizes the diversity of historical experience and highlights the structural connections of intercontinentally joined systems of forced labor.

Review: "This is not just a fine history of the Merina and 19th-century Madagascar; it may be one of the most crucial works of the past 50 years in the field. Upper-division undergraduates and above."-Choice Reviews

?This is not just a fine history of the Merina and 19th-century Madagascar; it may be one of the most crucial works of the past 50 years in the field. Upper-division undergraduates and above.?-Choice Reviews

?Larson's book raises a series of challenging questions about the historical production of ethnic identity, and the complex epistemological relationships between historical memory, identity, and history. It is smart, well written, and intellectually challenging. In the historiographical level, Larson succeeds in integrating Malagasy history into the mainstream history of the continent.?-Richard Roberts, Department of History, Stanford University

"Larson's book raises a series of challenging questions about the historical production of ethnic identity, and the complex epistemological relationships between historical memory, identity, and history. It is smart, well written, and intellectually challenging. In the historiographical level, Larson succeeds in integrating Malagasy history into the mainstream history of the continent."-Richard Roberts, Department of History, Stanford University

Bibliographic Details

Title: History and Memory in the Age of Enslavement...
Publisher: Heinemann
Publication Date: 2000
Binding: Paperback
Condition: Good
Signed: Signed