The University of Wisconsin Press

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African Studies / History / Environment / Anthropology

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Nachituti’s Gift Economy, Society, and Environment in Central Africa David Gordon Africa and the Diaspora: History, Politics, Culture Thomas Spear, David Henige, and Michael Schatzberg, Series Editors Honorable Mention, Melville J. Herskovits Award, African Studies Association, 2007 “An original work of sociopolitical and environmental history and development studies.” —Jan Vansina, author of Antecedents to Modern Rwanda: The Nyiginya Kingdom Nachituti’s Gift challenges conventional theories of economic development with a compelling comparative case study of inland fisheries in Zambia and Congo from pre- to postcolonial times. Neoclassical development models conjure a simple, abstract progression from wealth held in people to money or commodities; instead, Gordon argues, primary social networks and oral charters like “Nachituti’s Gift” remained decisive long after the rise of intensive trade and market activities. Interweaving oral traditions, songs, and interviews as well as extensive archival research, Gordon’s lively tale is at once a subtle analysis of economic and social transformations, an insightful exercise in environmental history, and a revealing study of comparative politics. “A sophisticated, accessible, and graceful analysis of economic and social transformations from the pre- to the post-colonial era in Zambia and Congo. Makes a significant contribution to African, economic, environmental, colonial, and post-colonial history.”—Thomas Spear, series editor and author of Mountain Farmers: Moral Economies of Land and Agricultural Development in Arusha and Meru David Gordon is assistant professor of history at Bowdoin College. Media & bookseller inquiries regarding review copies, events, and interviews can be directed to the publicity department at publicity@uwpress.wisc.edu or (608) 263-0734. (If you want to examine a book for possible course use, please see our Course Books page. If you want to examine a book for possible rights licensing, please see Rights & Permissions.)

December 2005 LC: 2005008261 DT 304 pp.   6 x 9   14 b/w photos 4 maps, 2 graphs, 2 charts Paper $24.95 s ISBN 978-0-299-21364-0 ADD TO CART

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